BA in Global Studies - Asian and Pacific Islander American Studies in Williamsburg United States | College of William and Mary

Through the joint efforts of faculty and student activists, Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies (APIA) was founded at William & Mary in 2016 to broaden academic exploration of Asian American and Pacific Islander histories, cultures, experiences, legal frameworks, and policies. The program officially launched its APIA major and minor in 2019, a decade after awarding its first degree through an interdisciplinary self-designed major in APIA.

Our curriculum features diverse courses such as Peoples & Cultures of Polynesia, Immigration, Assimilation and Ethnicity, Filipino American Diaspora Studies, Asian American Film & Literature, and Islamophobia. These offerings mirror the richness and breadth of the Asian & Pacific Islander American community, currently the most rapidly expanding demographic in the United States.

Earning an APIA degree or taking our courses equips you with essential research, analytical, creative, and teamwork abilities valuable across all professions. APIA faculty provide personalized guidance to align your studies with professional goals. Our graduates have pursued careers as authors, educators, public servants, financial experts, and legal professionals, along with roles in Hollywood productions and innovative leadership positions in education.