On-campus programs of the International Studies and Programs are organized around major world regions. The area studies centers were approved by Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees to carry out a wide array of multidisciplinary programs. They are the African Studies Center, the Asian Studies Center, the Canadian Studies Center, the Center for European and Russian Studies, and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. They receive university general fund support, often supplemented with external funds, most notably by the U.S. Department of Education. Each center is headed by a director who reports to the Dean of International Studies and Programs. The deans of the colleges share in responsibility for the strength and growth of area studies.

Although the centers do not offer courses of their own, they advise on and oversee undergraduate specializations that complement students’ transcripts. Several centers have parallel programs for graduate students. All of the centers disseminate information to interested students and faculty through a variety of newsletters and curricular lists; provide research and travel support to faculty members and graduate students; and facilitate the publication of scholarly works written by affiliated faculty. In addition, all of the centers have active on-campus, co-curricular programs, including film, seminar, and lecture series. Outreach programs, particularly for K-12 education and community colleges, are also important features of center activity.