The Southeast Asia Center promotes and sustains the study of Southeast Asia and encourages understanding of Southeast Asia in the Pacific Northwest and the nation.
A US Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center for Southeast Asian Studies in the Pacific Northwest, the Southeast Asia Center is housed in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies where along with seven other area study centers, it fosters cooperative efforts in teacher training and outreach.
The Southeast Asia Center's interdisciplinary academic programs include a BA and MA in International Studies with a concentration in Southeast Asian Studies as well as PhD and professional degrees involving area concentrations and research in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asian languages offered on a regular basis by the University of Washington include Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese as well as the self-study of Burmese. The Southeast Asia Center actively organizes Southeast Asia-related programs such as teacher training, outreach activities and an accessible resource library that includes: print materials, microfilm, maps, and instructional media materials.