Masters in Asian Studies
General Information
The flexibility of the degree program for the Masters in Asian Studies allows for a wide range of interests and long-term goals. Some students pursue one of the dual degree Masters programs connecting Asia Studies to either Public Affairs, Global Policy Studies, or Business Administration. We do not offer a PhD in Asian Studies. Students may apply for admission to the Asian Cultures and Languages PhD program on completion of the Masters in Asian Studies, but admission to the doctoral program is not guaranteed and is only likely if the student has successfully followed a course of study comparable to that of the Masters in Asian Cultures and Languages.
Students obtaining the Masters in Asian Studies are interested in pursuing careers in the public or private sector, government, non-profit organizations, and other fields. Some students continue on to a PhD in another or related field.
Students may complete first- and second-year college level language coursework after they are admitted, but these courses will not be counted toward the master's degree.Specialization in East Asia: Students who specialize in East Asia normally have a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language and literature, or an area studies degree with a concentration in East Asia. Students must have completed at least two years of college-level Chinese, Japanese, or Korean with a grade of at least B in each course, or must demonstrate equivalent competence, before admission to the program.
Specialization in South Asia: Students who specialize in South Asia normally have a Bachelor of Arts in area studies or in a traditional discipline, with a concentration in South Asia. Most applicants have knowledge of a South Asian language before applying for admission. Students without this knowledge but whose applications are otherwise outstanding may also be accepted.
Degree Programs
The following information is effective as of the 2011-2013 Graduate Catalog. Every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of this information. In the event of discrepancy between this information and the Graduate Catalog, the Graduate Catalog takes precedence.
Thesis option: 30 hours of coursework, including six hours of thesis:
- 12 hours of Asian Studies electives (with not more than 6 in any one discipline, such as literature, religion, visual culture, etc.)
- 6 hours Asian history courses
- 6 hours in advanced Asian language courses (third-year level or beyond)
- 6 hours of Masters Thesis
Report option: 30 hours of coursework, including three hours of report:
- 15 hours of Asian Studies electives (with not more than 9 in any one discipline, such as literature, religion, visual culture, etc.)
- 6 hours Asian history courses
- 6 hours in advanced language courses (third-year level or beyond)
- 3 hours of Masters Report
Students who demonstrate third-year language proficiency before admission to the program may have the language course requirement waived, pending approval of the Graduate Adviser. Please note that the required subject matter will be waived but not the hours.
Up to six hours of upper-division undergraduate courses may be counted toward the M.A. degree.
Dual-degree program in Asian Studies/Public Affairs
LBJ School ANS/MPAff dual-degree information
As above (either thesis or report option), and including the following Public Affairs coursework:
- 21 hours of required Public Affairs core courses (Policy Development, Public Administration and Management, etc.)
- 6 hours Policy Research Project
- 9 hours Public Affairs electives
- Summer internship (in or related to Asia)
Dual-degree program in Asian Studies/Global Policy Studies
LBJ School ANS/MGPS dual-degree information
As above (either thesis or report option), and including the following Global Policy Studies coursework:
- 22 hours of required Global Policy Study core courses (Policymaking, Microeconomics, Internatinal Systems, Crisis Management, etc.)
- 15 hours in an area of specialization
- Summer internship (in or related to Asia)
- Demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English
Dual-degree program: Asian Studies/Business Administration
McCombs School of Business dual-degree information
- 27 hours of MBA core courses
- 9 hours of approved business electives
- 6 upper-division or graduate hours Asian history courses
- 6 hours of Asian Studies electives with at least 50% business content
- 6 hours in advanced language courses (third-year level or beyond)
PLUS
- 6 hours of non-business Asian Studies electives and 6 hours Asian Studies Master's Thesis
OR
- 12 hours of non-business Asian Studies electives and 3 hours of Asian Studies Master's Report
