Bachelor in East Asian Studies (Bachelor's)

Western Washington University occupies a setting between the Salish Sea and the North Cascades, with mountains, forests, and the bay close to campus. Downtown Bellingham is within walking distance, giving students access to a compact college-town setting alongside outdoor opportunities. Campus life includes research, athletics, cultural collaboration, and spaces connected to the region’s heritage. The Lhaq’temish-ew’xw e tse XwLemi’ House of Healing recently opened in a building associated with symbolism, cultural heritage, and collaboration.

Small classes and personal faculty connections shape the academic experience. The university offers more than 200 academic programs, with options across fields including biology, chemistry, mathematics, business administration, and environmental studies. Biology spans areas such as biomedical science, marine biology, molecular biology, ecology, biodiversity, and mathematical biology. Chemistry prepares students for employers and graduate schools, while business administration develops skills for leadership in business and the community.

Environmental Studies brings together science, policy, ethics, and social studies to examine climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and sustainable resource management. Students learn to assess environmental questions from scientific, economic, cultural, and political perspectives. International students can expect an academic environment built around faculty contact, practical research, and preparation for graduate school or employment. Bellingham’s walkable downtown and the surrounding natural landscape also make it possible to combine campus study with access to the Salish Sea and North Cascades.

The East Asian Studies program is an interdisciplinary degree offered on-campus full-time over four years. It focuses on the histories, cultures, languages, and politics of China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia. Students engage with faculty from multiple departments across the university. The program supports diverse academic goals and regional engagement with East Asia.

Focus areas include China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, East Asian history, East Asian politics.

The program requires a total of 120 credits. Students complete coursework in language, history, culture, and politics, with a focus on China and Japan. Special advisement allows for study of Korea and Mongolia.

Graduates enter roles in cultural organizations, diplomatic offices, international business, and educational institutions.

Direct admission is available. Applicants must meet general university entry requirements. Required documents include official transcripts and a personal statement.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. on-campus, full-time, four years. For international students, tuition is around the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 91% of applicants.