The Department of East Asian Studies offers programs leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy with a major in East Asian Studies. Graduate training in East Asian Studies affords students important opportunities for careers in teaching, international business, international law, government and diplomatic service, and journalism. Graduate programs on the master's level are available with concentrations based either in traditional academic disciplines or in specially constructed general study areas related to East Asia. The doctoral programs are rigorously based in traditional academic disciplines.

Master's students must complete a minimum of 31 graduate units and a thesis, or 34 units and an exam or a departmental paper. Disciplinary concentrations, often in preparation for further Ph.D.-level study, are currently offered in a number of fields in Chinese history, linguistics, literature, and religion and thought, and in Japanese history, linguistics and language pedagogy, literature, and religion. A general master's study program may include a variety of courses in the Department of East Asian Studies and other departments in both Chinese and Japanese areas. To ensure programmatic integrity, the general program must be devised in consultation with appropriate faculty. The general program is often suitable for preprofessional training.

Doctoral study must be focused on Chinese history, linguistics, literature, or religion and thought, or on Japanese linguistics, literature, or religion; minor fields are usually selected from other supporting disciplines. Subjects in East Asian Studies may serve as fields of study for students earning Ph.D. degrees in other departments. Contact the department for specific requirements for each degree program.

Admission requires adequate preparation, although admission with some deficiencies is possible. The department bases admission into the master's and doctoral programs upon the grade-point average from an official transcript, the applicant's statement of purpose, a writing sample for Ph.D. applicants, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. International students must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL. Applicant objectives must also correspond to the department's programmatic capabilities. Contact the graduate coordinator in the Department of East Asian Studies for further details. Courses related to East Asia, in addition to the courses listed below, may be taught in the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, History, and Political Science.

Chinese Studies contact:

Japanese Studies contact: