MA Degree
Total Credits: 30
● At least 21 credits in Asia-related graduate courses in the department or elsewhere on campus.
● At most 9 credits of other graduate courses as approved by the advisors.
● 6 semesters of study of an Asian language or 4 semesters of study of two Asian languages, or the equivalent level of proficiency as established by examination by department faculty and staff. Additional language study may be required by the advisors. Language study at the third year level and beyond can count toward the total degree credits to a maximum of 12 credits.
Cumulative Assessment for MA:
There are two possible exit requirements for the MA. One of the following two options will be chosen in consultation with the advisors:
1) Students should select two substantially revised and/or expanded research papers completed during their graduate study to submit to their committee (the advisors and one additional faculty member). In addition to the written papers, an oral presentation of these papers to the committee is required. Or,
2) An approximately 50 page MA thesis. In addition to the written thesis, an oral presentation of the thesis to the committee is required. This option is usually appropriate for a student who wishes to continue in the PhD program.
PhD Degree
Total credits: 51 (30 from MA above)
● At least 15 credits in Asia-related graduate courses in the department or elsewhere on campus
● At most 6 credits of other courses as approved by the advisors.
● Additional language coursework beyond the MA requirements is not required in general, but students must gain sufficient competence to pass the research language exams required by the advisors. Language study at the third year level and beyond can count toward the total degree credits to a maximum of 6 credits past the MA.
Cumulative Assessment for PhD:
The preliminary exam must be taken within 1 semester after completing doctoral coursework. Comprehensive written preliminary exams will be based on reading lists developed with the committee. These exams have four parts: general competence in major field; secondary field; theory and method; and specialized area of dissertation focus. The preliminary examination will be evaluated by a committee of at least three members (the co-advisors and an additional faculty member.)
Successful completion of the exam process will also require research language competence as demonstrated through examinations in one or more languages as determined by the advisors.
A dissertation proposal must be approved within 1 year after completing prelim exams. An oraldefense of the proposal will be evaluated by the committee.
Follow directions from the Graduate School about Preparing your Doctoral Dissertation and Degree Deadlines.