Undergraduates interested in cross-disciplinary study of South Asia—generally defined as the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Tibetan region—may earn a certificate in South Asian Studies. The certificate can be a valuable addition to studies in Anthropology, Archeology, Asian Languages and Cultures, Business, Communications, Economics, Education, Gender and Women‘s Studies, Geography, History, International Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Zoology, and more. Completion of the certificate provides a concentration in the area through language and interdisciplinary training that provides enhanced career opportunities or increased preparation for graduate study.

The certificate in South Asian Studies can be partially fulfilled through completion of a study abroad program in South Asia administered by International Academic Programs.

The Center for South Asia, a regional center within the Institute for Regional and International Studies, supports and enhances international and global awareness for our students and inspires informed thinking about the complexities of our world. Students connect to international networks and our regional communities through lecture series, film screenings, outreach events, and activities. Students are encouraged to study abroad or do international internships, learn languages, and gain an interdisciplinary grounding in global and regional affairs. We also provide resources and expertise on our world area to other students and educators from kindergarten to graduate school, businesses, the media, the military, the community, and others.

How to Get in

Students interested in declaring the undergraduate certificate should contact the undergraduate advisor.

Students declared in the Asian Languages and Cultures: South Asian Studies BA/BS/MAJ are not eligible to declare the South Asian Studies certificate.

Requirements

Complete 21 credits, distributed as follows:

Introductory Course

Select one of these courses:

Area courses

Select 9 credits from these courses:

Disciplinary Courses

Select 6 credits from these courses:

Capstone

Select 3 credits from these courses:

Residence and Quality of Work

• Minimum 2.750 GPA on all certificate courses.
• At least 11 certificate credits must be completed in residence.

Certificate Completion Requirement

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

1. (Historical Grounding) understanding the historical, political, and cultural forces and conditions that have given rise to the unity and diversity in the region today.
2. (Multi-disciplinarity) analyzing contemporary political, economic, and cultural realities in the region from at least two disciplinary perspectives, ideally including humanities, social sciences and sometimes natural science approaches.
3. (Depth of knowledge) mastering at the undergraduate generalist level a particular facet of life in the region by taking courses on a particular sub-region or country, or by studying a regional language, or by taking at least two courses on the region in one discipline.

Advising and Careers

Advising for the certificate is administered by the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS). The IRIS assistant director for students and curriculum can assist you in developing your plan of study for the certificate, track progress towards your certificate, explore study abroad and international internship options, and begin the career exploration process. We offer walk-in advising, advising workshops, and scheduled appointments. We strongly encourage students to begin career exploration early on and to make use of the many resources available on campus.

Contact the certificate advisor to create a plan that includes a well-balanced selection of area studies and disciplinary courses and for approval of appropriate introductory and capstone seminar courses.

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

Information about resources and scholarships through the Center for South Asia is available on our website. Please contact the Center for more information about the South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI), the South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI), and the Annual Conference on South Asia. We also strongly encourage our students to explore funding options available through the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) Awards Office.