Stanford's interdisciplinary M.A. program in East Asian Studies permits the student to construct a course of study suited to individual intellectual interests and career needs. Applications are invited from four types of prospective students:

1. Those who wish to concentrate on East Asia for the Ph.D., but have not yet decided on the particular discipline in which they prefer to work;
   
2. Those who have settled on a discipline, but want to obtain intensive area studies and language training before beginning their doctoral program;
3. Those who wish to specialize in East Asian Studies in preparation for careers in such fields as law, business, pre-collegiate teaching, journalism, and government service. It should be stressed that, in addition to the M.A. in East Asian Studies, additional training in a professional discipline is usually essential to finding employment in the professions; and
4. Those who already possess other professional training or experience and now want to strengthen their background in China, Japan, or Korea.

The M.A. program allows students a great deal of flexibility in combining language training, interdisciplinary area studies, and a disciplinary concentration. Students are required to attain third year level proficiency in Chinese, Korean or Japanese language (as determined by a placement exam), to take the one-unit core course in East Asian Studies, and to complete nine area studies graduate courses, three of which must be in a single department. An M.A. thesis, usually an expansion of a paper written for a graduate seminar or colloquium, is required. Applicants are reminded that completion of the M.A. program does not constitute automatic admission to a departmental Ph.D. program. Acceptance into doctoral programs is determined by the appropriate departments.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR EAST ASIAN STUDIES M.A.

1. 45 units (university minimum requirement for an M.A. degree, no transfer credits for this)
2. East Asian Studies 330 core course, 1 unit
3. 3 years of language proficiency (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean)
4. Master's thesis representing a substantial piece of original research. This can be a paper expanded from coursework, agreed upon with your faculty advisor.
5. 9 additional classes, meeting all the criteria below:

• Taken for a letter grade
• 100 level or above
• 3 units or above
• does not count as part of the language requirement (language courses beyond 3rd year are good)
• Among the 9 additional classes, there must be:
  – at least 23 units at 200 level or above
  – at least 3 in the same department, with at least 1 of these an advanced course that requires a research paper related to East Asia

Current CEAS M.A. students may download these documents:

M.A. Course Plan Worksheet
Thesis Checklist for Advisor

Course Petition

Thesis Cover Page

FINANCIAL AID FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Although funds are limited, graduate students specializing in East Asa are eligible to apply for financial aid. Students interested in the Master's Degree program in East Asian Studies, or in departmental doctoral programs with a Japan, Korea, or China concentration, may apply for fellowships at the time of their initial apllications for admission. For more details on the FLAS Academic Year Fellowships and other CEAS funding opportunities CLICK HERE