by our College Data Analytics TeamAsian culture has survived for over three thousand centuries, and its influence has expanded far past Asia. By majoring in East Asian Languages you will learn various Asian dialects, along with Asian grammar and literature. In addition, there will be classes on East Asian philosophy, religion, and applications to business and technology.
Concentrations within this major would include Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan Languages and Literature. Depending on which concentration you choice, you will be taking courses in Japanese, Korean, Japanese, and Tibetan (beginning, intermediate, and advanced), Chinese history, Korean Art, Buddhist studies, and Modern Chinese film.
In 2021-2022, east asian languages was the 188th most popular major nationwide with 2,319 degrees awarded. This year's Best East Asian Languages Schools ranking compares 42 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom east asian rankings further below.
East Asian languages can be challenging for English speakers to learn because the characters and pronunciation are so different. Patience and persistence are important to find success in this field. The complex characters that make up the written language rely on precise handwork, making an eye for detail essential.
In order to prepare for this major, students are advised to take courses in World History, English, World Religion, and Government. These courses will help student understand the fundamentals of East Asian Languages. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
east asian languages degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional east asian certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
East Asian degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in east asian languages to something that takes less time like a . The type of east asian degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to east asian, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to east asian tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 37.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.6% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 4.3% |
62.8% of east asian workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in east asian languages have received.
The education level required is different depending on the east asian career you are seeking.
A degree in East Asian Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach an East Asian Language or English, along with culture and history. Another option is to become a translator. Translators are in high demand because of growing business between nations. If you are interested in Foreign Service, you can become a Foreign Service Officer. These officers endorse American business and political interests and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
Want a job when you graduate with your east asian degree? East Asian Languages careers are expected to grow 15.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to east asian languages.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | 39,100 | 11.7% |
Recently graduated east asian languages students earned an average of $26,768 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $17,464 to as high as $71,769. As you might expect, salaries for east asian graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for east asian languages graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers east asian grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 548 different east asian degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased east asian school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Foreign Languages & Linguistics area of study, East Asian Languages has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Japanese Language & Literature | 1,079 |
| Chinese Language & Literature | 717 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General | 308 |
| Korean Language & Literature | 121 |
| Other East Asian Languages | 94 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Romance Languages | 13,644 |
| Linguistics & Comparative Literature | 8,146 |
| American Sign Language | 2,671 |
| Classical Languages & Literature | 1,407 |
| Germanic Languages | 1,105 |
