Bachelor of Arts in East Asia Studies
Bridging cultures, languages, and global understanding
About the Program
Forming Global Citizens through East Asia studies
Founded in 1981, the Center for International Studies is the oldest interdisciplinary undergraduate program of international studies in Texas.
Since its founding, the Center has maintained active and frequent relations, programming, and curriculum related to Taiwan and its importance to the United States’ national security interests, and has enjoyed close relations with the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Houston. The Center is the only institution of higher education in Houston that produces regular Taiwan-related programming and curriculum.
Connect the world
Where Houston meets East Asia
With the support of the Taiwanese-American community, TECO Houston, and the US Department of Education, the Center launched the Taiwan Initiative in 2014 to elevate the prominence of Taiwan studies at the University, raise awareness of Taiwan in our local community, promote university exchanges, and increase the number of students studying Mandarin Chinese and traveling to Taiwan. In 2016, the Center received a Taiwan Studies Grant from the Ministry of Education (ROC) that enabled the elevation of the Taiwan Initiative to the Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program (TEASP). TEASP now administers a minor program, scholarly exchanges, lecture series, and scholarships.
Study the globe
East Asia Studies Leadership
Yao-Yuan Yeh, Ph.D.
The UST East Asia Studies Program operates under the leadership of Yao-Yuan Yeh, Ph.D. Dr. Yeh currently serves as a tenured professor and the Fayez Sarofim – Cullen Trust for Higher Education Endowed Chair in International Studies at University of St. Thomas, Houston. He is also the Chair of the Department of Political Science, International Studies, and Modern Languages, Director of the Master’s Program in Diplomacy and Strategic Affairs, Director of the Taiwan and East Asia Studies Program, and Director of the Mandarin Center jointly operated by the University of St. Thomas and Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.