The University of Washington is one of the few places in the United States which offers undergraduate and graduate training in Korean studies in a variety of disciplines. Courses are offered in Korean language, history, and society. The language program offers three full years of instruction in the modern language and in advanced reading. The history courses examine the full range of the Korean experience, from the origins of the Korean people in the archaeological record to contemporary times. Courses on Korean history include the period under Japanese colonial rule in the first half of the twentieth century, the liberation of Korea after 1945, the Korean War, and the political, economic, and social development of both South Korea and North Korea. The program of course offerings is supplemented by visiting professors from political science, economics and economic development, folklore, and literature.

The objective of the program is to provide students with a broad background which will be of use to them in a variety of professions, such as teaching, business and government. Through this program, students can prepare for graduate work in Asian studies, or in such disciplines as anthropology, political science, comparative literature, sociology, and history.

The program emphasizes the study of Korea in the context of East Asian and Asian civilization and the modern world economy, not simply as a single country in isolation from its neighbors. Students are encouraged to take related courses on China, on Japan, and in international studies, so that they will emerge from their experience at the University with comprehensive training. The B.A. degree is designed as preparation for graduate work in a discipline department or as a terminal degree for work in business, government, journalism, secondary school teaching, or similar career activity.

Click here for more information about our BA degree.

Click here for more information about our MA degree.

Prospective graduate students contact Jesus Hidalgo, Graduate Program Advisor, Jackson School Office of Student Services, at jhidalgo@uw.edu for questions about the graduate program, application procedures and status, examination scores, and transcripts.

Prospective undergraduates may contact Joni Marts, Senior Undergraduate Advsior at the Office of Academic Services, at jmarts@uw.edu.

University of Washington Korean Language Program

The University of Washington Korean Language Program recognizes and celebrates Korean heritage in our community. It provides language courses appropriate for students who have home or formal Korean language background as well as for novice students.