East Asian Studies (MA)

专业详情

Stanford’s interdisciplinary M.A. program in East Asian Studies is designed both for students who plan to complete a Ph.D. but who have not yet decided on the particular discipline in which they prefer to work, and for students who wish to gain a background in East Asian Studies in connection with a career in nonacademic fields such as business, law, education, journalism, or government service. The program permits the student to construct a course of study suited to individual intellectual interests and career needs, and is typically completed in two years; the program may be completed within one year, depending on the course load taken and the amount of foreign language training required. Advanced language students or students who are native speakers of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean can potentially complete the program within one year. Students interested in pursuing professional careers are encouraged to plan for additional training through internships or additional graduate professional programs, in conjunction with obtaining an M.A. in East Asian Studies.

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 demonstrate third year level proficiency in Chinese, Korean or Japanese, according to their research-area focus (either through coursework at Stanford or testing at the 4th year or higher in Stanford language-placement exams), to enroll in a 3-unit core course in East Asian Studies in autumn quarter of the first year, and to complete at least eight additional graduate-level area studies courses.  Of the nine required content courses (including the 3-unit core course), three must be in a single department or in the same thematic focus.  An M.A. thesis, usually an expansion of a paper written for a graduate seminar or colloquium, is required.

Program Learning Outcomes

The purpose of the master’s program is to further develop specialized knowledge and skills in East Asian Studies, and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through the completion of East Asia content courses, language training as necessary, and experience with independent research.