American Ethnic Studies is one of the "new disciplines" which emerged with the growth of higher education after World War Two. As such it is interdisciplinary and defined more by content than by theoretical method. By pragmatically using the research on race, gender and class from various traditional disciplines, practitioners in Ethnic Studies seek answers to questions concerning human relationships. Courses at NSCC include America's Ethnic History and Societies and Cultures of America, offered by Dr. Enrique Olguin. Courses in Asian American Studies are frequently offered by Dr. Najma Rizvi.

American Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary department at the University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University. Students may pursue regular undergraduate degrees in this major at these universities, and frequently combine it with preparation for law, medicine or some other professional field of study.

Please check also check History for more classes offered with American Ethnic Studies themes.