Regional Specializations
The Regional Specializations at IR/PS were established in recognition of the growing importance of China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and Southeast Asia to the United States and Pacific region.
The Regional Specialization has two components: 1) two designated courses - one on the economy and a second on the political system of the region; and 2) a language requirement.
Dual specialization requires the student to complete the coursework and language requirement for both regions.
Courses taken for a regional specialization may not be double counted.
Students must choose one of the following Regional Specializations:
- The China Specialization
- The Japan Specialization
- The Korea Specialization
- The Latin America Specialization
- The Southeast Asia Specialization
Language Requirement
Students are expected to satisfy the foreign language requirement with a language from their chosen region. Please see the list of allowable languages.
The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in one of three ways:
- native proficiency
- completing six quarters (four semesters) of college-level language instruction from an institution comparable to UC San Diego with a grade of 'B' or better in the final course
- passing a special IR/PS-administered language exam, which is the equivalent of the final exam administered in the sixth-quarter course in the selected language
