Students declared in the Korean Language and Culture major are immersed in the vibrant and globally influential world of Korea. As Korea emerges as a major economic, political, and cultural force, understanding its language, history, and society is more crucial than ever. Korea's significance continues to grow: its dynamic economy, strategic geopolitical role, and remarkable cultural output—from the global arts phenomenon of Hallyu (“Korean Wave”) to innovative lifestyle trends—are reshaping international landscapes. The Korean language is recognized as a critical language for U.S. security, and Korean companies are making significant investments across the United States.
This major is thoughtfully designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Korean civilization, preparing them for a diverse range of rewarding career paths. The program’s rigorous curriculum provides instruction in Korean language, linguistics, history, literature, film, gender studies, and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a holistic and profound engagement with Korean culture.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research with UW–Madison's esteemed faculty, renowned for their expertise in various aspects of Korean studies.
Students in this major cultivate critical skills essential for success:
- advanced abilities in analyzing and synthesizing information from diverse sources;
- producing well-structured and sophisticated academic writing;
- engaging effectively in intercultural communication;
- advanced linguistic proficiency in both English and Korean;
- conducting independent research;
- deep cultural sensitivity;
- ability to interpret complex texts and cultural phenomena with nuance and insight.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
Placement Exam
The Asian Languages and Cultures department offers placement exams for students with prior language study or experience as a speaker of Korean. For more information, see the department’s website.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language Requisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 105 | First Semester Korean | 4 |
| ASIALANG 106 | Second Semester Korean | 4 |
| ASIALANG 205 | Third Semester Korean | 4 |
| ASIALANG 206 | Fourth Semester Korean | 4 |
| Advanced Language Courses: | ||
| ASIALANG 305 | Fifth Semester Korean (Required) | 3 |
| Advanced Language Course electives (choose 3): | 9 | |
| Sixth Semester Korean | ||
| Business Korean | ||
| Seventh Semester Korean | ||
| Eighth Semester Korean | ||
| Advanced Korean Through Audio-Visual Media | ||
| Korean Studies Courses | ||
| Introductory Course (one course, choose from options): | 3 | |
| Introduction to East Asian History - Korea | ||
| Korean Popular Culture | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | ||
| Intermediate Courses (three courses, from options below): | 9 | |
| Gender, Work, and Family in East Asia | ||
| Social Change in Contemporary South Korea | ||
| Korean Cinema | ||
| Education in East Asia | ||
| East Asia & The U.S. Since 1899 | ||
| The Koreas: Korean War to the 21st Century | ||
| Cultural History of Korea | ||
| Politics of East and Southeast Asia | ||
| Capstone Course (choose one): | 3 | |
| Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities | ||
| Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia | ||
| Ethnography in Asia | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Total Credits | 43 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA in 15 upper-level credits in the major, in residence
- 15 credits in the major, taken on campus
Upper-Level Courses in the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 300 | Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN 301 | Social Science Topics in Asian Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN/SOC 334 | Gender, Work, and Family in East Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 335 | The Koreas: Korean War to the 21st Century | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/SOC 336 | Social Change in Contemporary South Korea | 3 |
| ASIAN 360 | Topics in Asian Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN 374 | Korean Cinema | 3 |
| ASIAN 433 | Topics in East Asian Visual Cultures | 3 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 505 | The Perfectible Body in Religions, Medicines, and Politics | 3 |
| ASIAN 600 | Capstone Seminar in Asian Humanities | 3 |
| ASIAN 630 | Proseminar: Studies in Cultures of Asia | 3 |
| ASIAN 655 | Ethnography in Asia | 3 |
| HISTORY/INTL ST 332 | East Asia & The U.S. Since 1899 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 340 | Cultural History of Korea | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 328 | Politics of East and Southeast Asia | 3-4 |
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all courses accepted in the major
- Complete the following coursework, with a grade of B or better:
- Either ASIAN 699 or another Capstone course (see list above) of 3–4 credits (excluding ASIAN 681 or ASIAN 682 or ASIAN 692) with the professor under whose guidance a student intends to write a thesis. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681.
- Students who complete ASIAN 699 for the Capstone requirement will follow the department procedure for obtaining consent to enroll in a Senior Honors Thesis supervised by the faculty. Students must contact the undergraduate advisor for this major to initiate this process.
- A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in ASIAN 681 and ASIAN 682, for a total of 6 credits.
- Either ASIAN 699 or another Capstone course (see list above) of 3–4 credits (excluding ASIAN 681 or ASIAN 682 or ASIAN 692) with the professor under whose guidance a student intends to write a thesis. This course must be taken before ASIAN 681.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a high level of independent comprehension of written and audiovisual content, adapting style and speed to various text types and purposes, and selectively using appropriate reference sources.
- Exchange ideas in both English and the target language, expressing and supporting opinions while respecting diverse viewpoints.
- Exhibit a deep understanding of pragmatic, sociolinguistic, and rhetorical features of the target language, as well as its cultural nuances.
- Conduct independent research using both English and target language sources, efficiently gathering and selecting relevant information.
- Produce effective academic writing in English, critically evaluating and synthesizing information from various sources in both English and the target language.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COUN PSY 125 | 1 | INTER-LS 145 | 1 |
| ASIALANG 105 (only offered in fall term) | 4 | ASIALANG 106 | 4 |
| ASIAN 100 (Humanities) | 3-4 | ASIAN 254 (Humanities) | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 4 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 4 | Science Breadth | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 205 | 4 | INTER-LS 210 | 1 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 (Communication B) | 3 | ASIALANG 206 | 4 |
| ASIAN/SOC 336 (Social Science) | 3 | ASIAN AM/ENGL 270 (Literature) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 4 | ENGL 319 (Ethnic Studies) | 3 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| INTL ST 275 | 1 | ASIALANG 381 | 3 |
| ASIALANG 305 (Required) | 3 | ASIAN 374 | 3 |
| ASIAN/SOC 334 (Social Science) | 3 | HISTORY/INTL ST 332 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 360 (Literature) | 3 | ASIAN 699 (Option for Honors in the Major) | 2-3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ASIALANG 475 (Korean topic) | 3 | ASIALANG 456 | 3 |
| ASIAN 433 | 3 | HISTORY 340 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN 630 (Capstone) | 3 | ASIAN 682 (Option) | 3 |
| ASIAN 681 (Option) | 3 | Elective(s) | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Program
Please follow the process described on the Asian Languages and Cultures website.
Advising
Seeing your advisor is very important for choosing courses that fit your interests and graduating on schedule. Many students also try to complete more than one major or certificate, and discussing how you might be able to reach this goal is another primary role of your major advisor. Advisors can speak to you about course content, which courses fit best with your interest areas, and what kinds of courses might work best with your learning style. Any and all of these discussions can occur during your advising appointment.
The advisor is happy to meet with students as they explore the degree options, prepare for study abroad, or advance through their four-year plans. Schedule an appointment in Starfish.
Exploring Classes before Declaring
Students interested in the Korean Language and Culture major can start exploring through any of these courses. The courses in these lists are open to first-year/freshmen students and have no prerequisites.
Students may declare the Korean Language and Culture major at any time. Those students who have studied an Asian language prior to coming to UW–Madison will have to take a placement test for a language offered during the academic year to determine the best class to enroll in on campus.
Interested in the Korean Language and Culture major? Try these courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN 100 | Gateway to Asia: Special Topics | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY 108 | Introduction to East Asian History - Korea | 3-4 |
| ASIAN/RELIG ST 236 | Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters | 3 |
| ASIAN 254 | Korean Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations | 3-4 |
| This language course is open to first-year/freshman students and have no prerequisites: | ||
| ASIALANG 105 | First Semester Korean | 4 |
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Resources and Scholarships
Department Scholarships
The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures has various scholarships to support meritorious students in our programs. Application information and deadlines.
Other Campus Resources
Wisconsin Scholarship Hub
This is the primary portal for applicants, current students, and everyone looking for scholarship opportunities on campus.
Undergraduate Academic Awards Office
We help UW–Madison undergraduates and recent graduates pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service, and leadership — activities at the heart of the Wisconsin Experience. We can help you:
- Find scholarship opportunities that match your goals and interests
- Navigate the scholarship application process
- Review scholarship essays
- Prepare for national scholarship interviews
Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss which opportunities are right for you.
National Scholarships
Boren Scholarships
Campus Representative: Kate Hamoonga
These scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. (Full list of preferred countries) Additionally, all programs must include formal study of an appropriate foreign language. (Full list of preferred languages).
Critical Language Scholarship Program
Campus Representative: Sarah Linkert
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is part of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a fully funded overseas intensive language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and to build relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, the Critical Language Scholarship Program provides opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning. Critical Language Scholarship Program languages are: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program seeks participants with diverse interests, from a wide variety of fields of study, backgrounds, and career paths, with the purpose of representing the full diversity of the United States. Thus, students from all academic disciplines, including business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts, and humanities are encouraged to apply.