by our College Data Analytics TeamSoutheast Asia is home to over 2,500 of different languages and a rich, diverse culture. This region includes mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Majoring in Southeast Asian and Pacific Languages will provide an education in the various dialects of these countries, as well as geography, economics, politics, and cultural aspects that shape the region.
Students typically choose a concentration focusing on one area or language. Some of the concentrations you can choose include Australian, Indonesian or Malay, Burmese, Filipino, Cambodian, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese Languages. Because all the concentrations are all different, most of the classes will not be the same; however some general classes include Art of Southeast Asia, Asian History, Asian literature, Asian Thought and Cultures, and Asian Traditions.
A major in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages involves the study of Southeast Asian And Australasian/pacific Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Read on to learn the key facts every southeast asian & pacific languages student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering southeast asian & pacific languages programs.
Nationwide, southeast asian & pacific languages draws strong interest, with 36 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for southeast asian & pacific languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of southeast asian & pacific languages programs later in this article.
Coursework for Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations southeast asian & pacific languages graduates commonly enter.
Students should have an interest in the Southeast Asian region, an ear for language and the patience to learn another language, master grammar, pronunciation and spelling. Much of your time will be spent studying the history, literature and culture of the region. This makes it an ideal major for students who loves art and storytelling.
You may be able to prepare for this major while still in high school by taking courses in Language, World History, World Religions, and English. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
The skill set built by a southeast asian & pacific languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a southeast asian & pacific languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several southeast asian & pacific languages degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 24 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to southeast asian & pacific languages tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 40.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.6% |
| Master’s degree | 20.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in southeast asian & pacific languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are for positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach Southeast Asian & Pacific dialect, along with culture and history. You also may be interested in becoming an ESL teacher.
Another option is to become a translator or interpreter. Translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing business between nations. If you are interested in Foreign Service, you can become a Foreign Service Officer. These officers endorse American business and political interest and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
Majoring in southeast asian & pacific languages prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to southeast asian & pacific languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to southeast asian & pacific languages.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Salaries for southeast asian & pacific languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers southeast asian & pacific languages grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 4 different southeast asian & pacific languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased southeast asian & pacific languages school rankings to help you.
Students interested in southeast asian & pacific languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Hawaiian Language and Literature | 21 |
| Filipino/Tagalog Language and Literature | 12 |
| Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
