by our College Data Analytics TeamSoutheast Asia is home to over 2,500 of different languages and a rich, diverse culture. This region includes mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Majoring in Southeast Asian and Pacific Languages will provide an education in the various dialects of these countries, as well as geography, economics, politics, and cultural aspects that shape the region.
Students typically choose a concentration focusing on one area or language. Some of the concentrations you can choose include Australian, Indonesian or Malay, Burmese, Filipino, Cambodian, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese Languages. Because all the concentrations are all different, most of the classes will not be the same; however some general classes include Art of Southeast Asia, Asian History, Asian literature, Asian Thought and Cultures, and Asian Traditions.
Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages was the 362nd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 30 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages Schools ranking compares 1 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of southeast asian & pacific programs later in this article.
Students should have an interest in the Southeast Asian region, an ear for language and the patience to learn another language, master grammar, pronunciation and spelling. Much of your time will be spent studying the history, literature and culture of the region. This makes it an ideal major for students who loves art and storytelling.
You may be able to prepare for this major while still in high school by taking courses in Language, World History, World Religions, and English. 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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most southeast asian & pacific degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional southeast asian & pacific certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Southeast Asian & Pacific degree levels vary. Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest southeast asian & pacific degree you can get. Depending on the southeast asian & pacific languages degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 southeast asian & pacific, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for southeast asian & pacific workers below.
| 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% |
About 62.8% of workers in careers related to southeast asian & pacific obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in southeast asian & pacific languages have received.
This of course varies depending on which southeast asian & pacific career you choose.
A degree in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are for positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach Southeast Asian & Pacific dialect, along with culture and history. You also may be interested in becoming an ESL teacher.
Another option is to become a translator or interpreter. Translators and interpreters 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 interest 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 southeast asian & pacific degree? Southeast Asian & Pacific 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 southeast asian & pacific languages.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | 39,100 | 11.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for southeast asian & pacific graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for southeast asian & pacific languages graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers southeast asian & pacific grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 9 different southeast asian & pacific 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 southeast asian & pacific school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Foreign Languages & Linguistics area of study, Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Romance Languages | 13,644 |
| Linguistics & Comparative Literature | 8,146 |
| American Sign Language | 2,671 |
| East Asian Languages | 2,319 |
| Classical Languages & Literature | 1,407 |
