Asian Studies, MA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The MAAS is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of a particular geographical and cultural region of Asia or the interactions between Asian regions. The MA in Asian Studies is offered as Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). Proficiency in an Asian language is required for completion of the degree.

A student’s academic program should concentrate on one of the following regions: China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, South Asia, Southeast Asia, or Inter-Asia. Students without sufficient academic background in Asia-related course work (including the relevant language) may be required to take preparatory courses without credit toward the degree. Graduation from the MAAS program requires successful completion of course work or demonstrable proficiency in an Asian language at the third-year level. Students who are fluent in an Asian language may, with proof of proficiency, have the foreign language requirement waived if they plan to concentrate either on that region or on Inter-Asia. If they elect to focus on a different region, they must fulfill the language requirement as stated above. If the foreign language requirement is waived, students must still fulfill the total number of credits required for the degree.

Plan A (Thesis) Requirements

The MAAS Plan A degree in Asian Studies requires:

A minimum of 30 credit hours. Of these, at least 12 must be earned in courses numbered 600 or higher (excluding 699 and 700), and at least 6 in ASAN 700 - Thesis Research .
Full-time study for a minimum of two academic semesters or equivalent.
Proficiency in an Asian language relevant to the region of specialization, equivalent to completion of the third year of study (301-302). An entering student who has achieved this level and can demonstrate proficiency through examination may, in consultation with the area advisor, count up to 9 credits of advanced language study (at the 401 level or above) toward the 30 required credits for the degree.
Two introductory graduate seminars (ASAN 600 (Alpha) C, I, J, K, P, S, or Z): one in the region of specialization, taken at the beginning of the student’s program, and another in a different region.
A graduate research seminar in the student’s region of concentration (ASAN 750).
A minimum of 6 additional credit hours of Asian Studies (ASAN) course work.
A minimum of 15 credit hours of interdisciplinary study related to the candidate’s region of specialization. No more than 9 credit hours in one discipline will be counted. A maximum of 9 credits may be taken outside the region of focus, after consultation with the academic advisor.
Satisfactory completion of a master’s thesis and an oral examination on the thesis given by the students’ three-member faculty committee.
With advance approval, up to 6 credits of 699 (directed reading) courses may be applied toward the degree. 699 courses may only be used for electives, not as a substitute for required courses, and do not count toward minimum number of credits earned in courses numbered 600 and above.

Plan B (Non-thesis) Requirements

The MAAS Plan B degree in Asian Studies requires:

A minimum of 30 credit hours. Of these, at least 18 must be earned in courses numbered 600 or higher (excluding 699).
Full-time study for a minimum of two academic semesters or equivalent.
Proficiency in an Asian language relevant to the region of specialization, equivalent to completion of the third year of study (301-302). An entering student who has achieved this level and can demonstrate proficiency through examination may, in consultation with the area advisor, count up to 9 credits of advanced language study (at the 401 level or above) toward the 30 required credits for the degree.
Two introductory graduate seminars (ASAN 600 (Alpha) C, I, J, K, P, S, or Z): one in the region of specialization, taken at the beginning of the student’s program, and another in a different region.
A graduate research seminar in the student’s region of specialization (ASAN 750).
A minimum of 6 additional credit hours of Asian Studies (ASAN) course work.
A minimum of 21 credit hours of interdisciplinary study related to the candidate’s region of specialization. No more than 9 credit hours in one discipline will be counted. A maximum of 9 credits may be taken outside the region of specialization, after consultation with the academic advisor
One credit of ASAN 695 Plan B Culminating Experience, which shall include presentation of a portfolio consisting of two revised seminar papers or one expanded seminar paper, and satisfactory completion of an oral examination based on the papers by the student’s three-member faculty committee.
With advance approval, up to 9 credits of 699 (directed reading) courses may be applied toward the MA. 699 courses may only be used for electives, not as a substitute for required courses, and do not count toward minimum number of credits earned in courses numbered 600 and above.