Undergraduate Studies | Soka University of America Undergraduate Studies Liberal Arts at Soka Designed to fully develop students for global citizenship, Soka University of America’s Daisaku Ikeda College offers an undergraduate liberal arts curriculum that draws upon the cultures and experiences of peoples from across the globe. While pursuing a BA in liberal arts, students choose a concentration in Environmental Studies Humanities International Studies Life Sciences , or Social and Behavioral Sciences Study Abroad In order to improve your target language skills and enhance intercultural understanding and awareness, SUA requires that you spend a semester abroad during your third year for academic credit. Special Programs SUA offers special academic programs including Fulbright advising, a partnership with the Claremont Graduate University, and graduate school advising. Pathways SUA offers a couple of pathways within undergraduate studies. The Public Health Pathway along with the Urban Studies Pathway are multidisciplinary sets of courses across the academic concentrations. BA In Liberal Arts One Degree, Many Angles Soka offers an education that is both broad and deep, incorporating the outlook of many different cultures and modes of thought. We believe student involvement with interdisciplinary and multi-cultural perspectives best prepares them for fulfilling and successful careers upon completing their undergraduate degree. General Education General Education will provide you with a wide range of knowledge and the skills and abilities to transform that knowledge into responsible and effective participation in society. Core: Enduring Questions Core is a two-course sequence that uses classic texts to explore enduring questions that humanity has asked itself over time and across cultures, encouraging you to engage in critical thinking and discussion. Health and Wellness In this course, you will explore physical, mental-emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions of health, as well as strategies for enhancing your personal well-being. Writing and Communication The Writing Program will introduce you to a broad array of principles and strategies of effective communication and argumentation, providing you with an extensive writing toolkit useful both in your classes at Soka and beyond. Science and Mathematics Through courses in Biological Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics, you will learn to understand the nature and relevance of mathematical and scientific inquiry and to effectively communicate these principles as methods of problem-solving. Study Abroad In order to improve your target language skills and enhance intercultural understanding and awareness, Soka requires that you spend a semester abroad during your third year for academic credit. Creative Arts The Creative Arts Program is focused on the hands-on creation of artistic works in a range of media. Through the direct experience of the artistic process, you will engage in a universal mode of human behavior, fostering the empathy necessary for global citizenship. Modes of Inquiry Modes of Inquiry will introduce you to diverse ways of understanding information and the human experience through interdisciplinary thinking. Learning Clusters In these brief intensive courses, you will launch local or global explorations to understand problems and develop solutions. This is an opportunity to journey across cultures, explore a wide swath of ideas, and embody global citizenship. Language and Culture The Language and Culture Program fosters the development of linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural awareness. This program prepares you for the required study abroad semester in a destination of your target language. American Experience You will seek to describe how some voices are heard–or not–and how the development of human rights, consolidation of power, and the rise of social movements are embodied in a public discourse enabled by free speech. Pacific Basin Designed to expand perspective and encourage global engagement, this course compares regions, cultures, societies, and economies within the Pacific Basin. Creativity Forum Creativity Forum is a unique course that provides the opportunity to reflect upon the creative process in the abstract and bring new perspectives to any discipline. Capstone In your final year at SUA, you will do a year-long in-depth research project about a topic within your field of concentration by drawing upon the skills and knowledge acquired from your Soka liberal arts education. Concentrations Each of our concentrations allows you to have an interdisciplinary and rigorous approach to your education while supporting the Pacific Basin focus of SUA and its emphasis on leadership and contributive citizenship. Environmental Studies Environmental Studies will provide you with a foundation in the scientific understanding of the environment, as well as the social, cultural, economic, and technological forces that shape human relations with the environment. Social and Behavioral Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences fosters the understanding of human lives, behaviors, and institutions in social, historical, and cultural environments. Life Sciences Life Sciences will prepare you to engage in the dynamic fields of biology, biomedical research, and biotechnology while creating a pathway toward careers in medicine or public health. International Studies International Studies will provide you with the analytical tools necessary for a critical appreciation and contextualized understanding of the diverse forces that shape the contemporary world, preparing you to meet the challenges of global citizenship in the 21st century. Humanities Humanities will offer you the chance to pursue essential questions about what it means to be human, to become familiar with perspectives from around the globe, to develop informed and humanistic goals and concerns, and to sharpen analytical, critical thinking, and research skills. General Education General Education will provide you with a wide range of knowledge and the skills and abilities to transform that knowledge into responsible and effective participation in society. Core: Enduring Questions Core is a two-course sequence that uses classic texts to explore enduring questions that humanity has asked itself over time and across cultures, encouraging you to engage in critical thinking and discussion. Health and Wellness In this course, you will explore physical, mental-emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions of health, as well as strategies for enhancing your personal well-being. Writing and Communication The Writing Program will introduce you to a broad array of principles and strategies of effective communication and argumentation, providing you with an extensive writing toolkit useful both in your classes at Soka and beyond. Science and Mathematics Through courses in Biological Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics, you will learn to understand the nature and relevance of mathematical and scientific inquiry and to effectively communicate these principles as methods of problem-solving. Study Abroad In order to improve your target language skills and enhance intercultural understanding and awareness, Soka requires that you spend a semester abroad during your third year for academic credit. Creative Arts The Creative Arts Program is focused on the hands-on creation of artistic works in a range of media. Through the direct experience of the artistic process, you will engage in a universal mode of human behavior, fostering the empathy necessary for global citizenship. Modes of Inquiry Modes of Inquiry will introduce you to diverse ways of understanding information and the human experience through interdisciplinary thinking. Learning Clusters In these brief intensive courses, you will launch local or global explorations to understand problems and develop solutions. This is an opportunity to journey across cultures, explore a wide swath of ideas, and embody global citizenship. Language and Culture The Language and Culture Program fosters the development of linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural awareness. This program prepares you for the required study abroad semester in a destination of your target language. American Experience You will seek to describe how some voices are heard–or not–and how the development of human rights, consolidation of power, and the rise of social movements are embodied in a public discourse enabled by free speech. Pacific Basin Designed to expand perspective and encourage global engagement, this course compares regions, cultures, societies, and economies within the Pacific Basin. Creativity Forum Creativity Forum is a unique course that provides the opportunity to reflect upon the creative process in the abstract and bring new perspectives to any discipline. Capstone In your final year at SUA, you will do a year-long in-depth research project about a topic within your field of concentration by drawing upon the skills and knowledge acquired from your Soka liberal arts education. Concentrations Each of our concentrations allows you to have an interdisciplinary and rigorous approach to your education while supporting the Pacific Basin focus of SUA and its emphasis on leadership and contributive citizenship. Environmental Studies Environmental Studies will provide you with a foundation in the scientific understanding of the environment, as well as the social, cultural, economic, and technological forces that shape human relations with the environment. Social and Behavioral Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences fosters the understanding of human lives, behaviors, and institutions in social, historical, and cultural environments. Life Sciences Life Sciences will prepare you to engage in the dynamic fields of biology, biomedical research, and biotechnology while creating a pathway toward careers in medicine or public health. International Studies International Studies will provide you with the analytical tools necessary for a critical appreciation and contextualized understanding of the diverse forces that shape the contemporary world, preparing you to meet the challenges of global citizenship in the 21st century. Humanities Humanities will offer you the chance to pursue essential questions about what it means to be human, to become familiar with perspectives from around the globe, to develop informed and humanistic goals and concerns, and to sharpen analytical, critical thinking, and research skills. Meet Our Faculty Our faculty are here to interact with you in challenging and meaningful ways. Find your future mentor today by exploring their areas of expertise and research. Undergraduate Faculty Meet the undergraduate faculty of SUA’s Ikeda College. Faculty Research Learn more about research conducted by SUA faculty. Your Liberal Arts Degree At Soka you can pursue your academic passions without being confined to the borders of your discipline. We practice an interdisciplinary approach to learning that is reflective of global thinking. To foster an awareness of the needs of our changing world through developing a sense of history and an understanding of the nature of reality To think and investigate critically and creatively To be effective at various modes of expression and communication To acquire knowledge and appreciation of multiple cultures and traditions To become, through integrative learning, active and informed global citizens Complete a minimum total of 120 units Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 Academic News Inside the Classroom: Five Students on What They're Learning This Spring Mar 13, 2026 From Office Hours to Published Book: Faculty-Student Collaboration Spans a Decade Feb 13, 2026 Across Desert Trails and Rocky Shores: A Learning Cluster Takes Students Into Southern California’s Ecosystems Feb 13, 2026