Ethnic Studies FAQ
1. What is Ethnic Studies?
Ethnic Studies is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field,
in which race, ethnicity and indigeneity are studied, with a focus on the voices and
perspectives of the four core historically racialized groups (Native American, African
American, Latinx American, and Asian/Pacific Islander American) in the United States.
2. What Can I Do with a Degree in American Ethnic Studies or Related Field (Asian
American, Black, Chicano/a, Native American Studies)?
Many students who declare Ethnic Studies as a major do so out of a passion for their
community, a desire to pursue justice (racial, social, gender, economic, environment,
etc.), and a desire to be knowledgeable about the experiences, contributions, and
histories of communities of color.
When thinking about your degree, take into account how your degree will prepare you for life after Mt. SAC. In a liberal arts context, most majors do not translate directly to a particular career path. Instead, they provide an opportunity to gain marketable skills that are critical and important across a wide range of career paths and graduate programs. An Ethnic Studies degree not only prepares you to interact and collaborate with a broad spectrum of individuals, but it also equips you with the following transferable skills: Critical thinking, analysis, strong written and oral skills, knowledge about human behavior and institutions, cultural competency, racial literacy, ability to problem solve and delve beyond the surface, excellent research skills, capacity to analyze racial impacts of policies, operating procedures, and laws, leadership skills, and team-building.
Students who graduate with a degree in Ethnic Studies often obtain employment in the fields of education, law, non-profit management, public health, grass-roots advocacy, education policy, environmental justice, diversity and equity consultation, policy analyses, think tanks, management, urban planning, and various visual and performing arts. In addition, a degree in Ethnic Studies provides excellent preparation for graduate, and professional school: Masters programs, Phd programs, business school, medical school, and law school.
3. What is Area F?
Area F is the new California State University (CSU) Ethnic Studies requirement, per
the CSU General Education Breadth Requirements.
4. How does Ethnic Studies relate to other fields of study?
As a discipline that spans the humanities and social sciences, there are a number
of majors and minors that serve as wonderful compliments for a major in Ethnic Studies:
Social Welfare, Public Health, Sociology, Political Science, History, Gender and Women's
Studies. A unification of any of these fields with Ethnic Studies provides strong
preparation for graduate or professional, as well as a wide range of career paths.
5. Can I earn an Associates Degree for Transfer (AAT) in Ethnic Studies?
You absolutely will be able to earn an AAT in Ethnic Studies. Faculty in the department
are hard at work crafting that AAT at the moment. Please stay tuned for further developments.
6. What Ethnic groups are included in Ethnic Studies?
Historically, Ethnic Studies has focused on four historically racialized and aggrieved
groups: Native/Indigenous Americans, African/Black Americans, Latinx Americans, and
Asian/Pacific Islander Americans. Other ethnic minority groups are often discussed
within the discipline; however, they are mostly used as points of reference and comparison.
7. Are there Honors Ethnic Studies courses?
At this moment, no however, faculty in the department are currently discussing this
and should have updates at a later date.
