The Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Cultural Studies prepares the student for professional work in cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, libraries, and cultural and environmental centers, as well as in diplomacy and foreign services, non-governmental and governmental institutions, tourism, education, journalism, and business. It provides valuable preparation for graduate work or professional study in Art History, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, Religious Studies, Jurisprudence, and Arts Management. It adds significant values as a second major to other fields of study including Business, Languages, Environmental Sciences/Studies, Marketing, Communication, and Parks and Recreation Management.
This degree provides valuable preparation for graduate work or professional study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Study Abroad | Recommended |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this major. |
Purpose Statement
The BA in Comparative Cultural Studies (CCS) is a 49-58 credit degree designed to give students a deep comparative knowledge of global cultures and the critical skills with which to become cultural mediators, interpreters, and educators. The CCS BA prepares the student for professional work in cultural institutions, diplomacy and foreign services, non-governmental and governmental institutions, tourism, education, journalism, and business. The degree also provides students preparation for further professional credentializing in graduate programs, including cultural studies, museum studies, religious studies, art history, and education. With students increasingly recognizing the challenges and opportunities of working in a global, multicultural market, the CCS degree also offers a valuable second major complementing other degree programs across the university curriculum. Finally, the degree enables the student to develop the skills necessary to be a life-long learner and global citizen.
Student Learning Outcomes
Comparative Cultural Studies Coursework Emphasis
More Information
This major requires 49-58 units distributed as follows:
Comparative Cultural Studies Common Courses (9 units):
Comparative Cultural Studies Coursework (33 units)
You may only complete the Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) Emphasis if you are concurrently enrolled in an eligible degree offered through the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences (CEIAS), or the W. A. Franke College of Business. For a listing of eligible degrees, please contact an advisor in CEFNS, CEIAS, or the W. A. Franke College of Business.
Asian and North African Studies Interdisciplinary Global Programs Emphasis (24 units)
NOTE: If the IGP is taken, 16 units of foreign language will be completed (9+24+16 = 49)
In this emphasis, you will select a specialization that corresponds to your language of study: Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese (ARB, CHI or JPN). You must select this same language (ARB, CHI, or JPN) to satisfy the 16-unit foreign language requirement.
Select 24 units in one of the following specialization, based on your language of study (ARB, CHI, or JPN).
A minor is not required for the CCS BA degree. However, we strongly encourage you to consult with an advisor about a minor and/or elective coursework that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. We recommend minors in Anthropology, Art History, Asian Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, French, History, Humanities, German, Latin American Studies, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Comparative Study of Religions, Theatre, Studio Art, or Women's and Gender Studies.
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Study Abroad
We strongly encourage you to participate in a Study Abroad program. Requirements include a 2.5 GPA and sophomore standing or higher. Programs with English-language instruction in CCS's emphases and minors are available in: