Aug 19, 2025  
2025-2026 Rowan University Academic Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Rowan University Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Arts in Area Studies

Location(s): Glassboro Campus


The Area Studies major offers concentration options in Asian Studies, European Studies, and Latin American Studies. This program is inclusive and offers a diverse educational experience in terms of its interdisciplinary content, which includes subject matter from a variety of fields, including elective options in language, history, literature, geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, art, music, philosophy, and religion, among others. Students also take comparative global courses to help them contextualize their specific area of focus. Within the program, students draw connections between different academic approaches to understand the diversity, influence, and complexity of the area under study. The cultural competence and language proficiency students gain through this program will prepare them to interact with and contribute to diverse populations with greater cultural awareness and sensitivity. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary foundation and core liberal arts career skills in critical thinking, research, and communication that the program develops enhance our students’ preparation for graduate study, such as in the fields of area studies, international studies, international development, public policy, and law, as well as a wide variety of careers, including foreign and public service, international sales and business, humanitarian work, government, politics, international law, and global health care, both abroad and with populations at home in the United States.

Rowan Core: 9 s.h.


All first-time Freshmen must complete the University Rowan Core Literacies. There are six literacies:

Majors may suggest courses to fulfill the above literacies and will be applied elsewhere. 

A complete listing of courses that fulfill the above literacies can be found here Undergraduate Program Requirements .

Rowan Experience


Students must satisfy all three Rowan Experience attributes. Credits attached to the courses in this section will apply elsewhere.

The attributes are as follows:

  • Broad-Based Literature Attribute (LIT)
  • Writing Intensive Attribute (WI)
  • Rowan Seminar Attribute*(RS)

Departments may recommend courses to fulfill these attributes. A complete listing of courses that satisfy these attributes can be found at Undergraduate Program Requirements .

*The Rowan Seminar requirement is waived for all students transferring 24 or more approved credits into Rowan University at the time of initial entry. 

Program Requirements


Non-Program Courses Required: 18 s.h.


  • Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3
  • Relevant first-semester language course Credits: 3*
  • Relevant second-semester language course Credits: 3*
  • Relevant third-semester language course Credits: 3*
  • Relevant fourth-semester language course Credits: 3*
  • Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) Credits: 0-6
  •  

  • *Students may skip a maximum of the first four semesters of their chosen language via a placement exam or interview with faculty of the Department of World Languages. Students may receive credits for skipped courses through the Authorization for Credit by Examination process.

Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR): 0-6 s.h.


Must choose one option from the following list.

Major Requirements: 30 s.h.


Free Electives: 63 s.h.


Total Required Credits for the Program: 120 s.h.


Marilyn S. Manley, Ph.D.
Coordinator
856.256.4044
manley@rowan.edu

Cynthia Finer
Senior Academic Advisor
finer@rowan.edu