Asian Studies - MA

Master of Arts in International Studies

Asian Studies – MA4216

Asian Studies, Center for International Studies
Yamada International House
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.1840
suzuki@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Term of Entry: Fall only

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Asian Studies program at Ohio University is an interdisciplinary program that strives to provide students with a strong grounding in core disciplines that constitute Asian Studies (including political science, history, anthropology, geography, linguistics) while giving them the opportunity to form their course of study around their professional and academic goals. Students in the Asian Studies program can concentrate in three areas of study:

East Asia
Southeast Asia
Transnational Asia

While the first two specializations are designed for area studies students, the Transnational Asia specialization is designed for students to pursue a thematic field of study that involves Asian transnational and regional issues. Based on the research interests and specialties of the Asian Studies faculty, three thematic fields are developed under the Transnational Asia specialization, namely: Arts, Popular Culture and the Media; Gender, Ethnicity and Religion; and Globalization, Conflict and Social Change.

Program Learning Outcomes

The CIS M.A. programs provide students with a strong grounding in core disciplines while giving them the opportunity to form their course of study around their professional and academic goals. Students can enroll in courses offered by a range of schools and departments across the university in disciplines of their interest. This flexible design of graduate curricula supports individualized learning experiences across disciplinary boundaries and allows student to take courses and capstone options that help them achieve and demonstrate the CIS M.A. learning outcomes below:

Students will be able to synthesize core area or international studies concepts and theories within multiple disciplinary subfields, and acquire the skills to apply and evaluate these concepts to global opportunities and challenges.
Students will be able to develop effective written and oral communication skills, characterized by the ability to write and present in the styles and forms that are acceptable in the professional world and/or for research in international studies.
Students will be able to develop an effective research skill and demonstrate it in their capstone experience.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/global/cis/asian/

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements, beyond the university minimum of a 4-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and a TOEFL of 80 or above for non-native English speakers, are 3 letters of recommendation with at least 2 from individuals who can judge academic abilities, an autobiographical sketch providing applicant background, and statement of purpose which addresses why this program. We do not require the GRE exam for admission.

3 letters of recommendation (at least two from people who can judge your academic abilities and achievements)
A two-page statement of purpose, discussing your educational and professional goals and how the Asian Studies program will help meet those goals. Be specific in discussing aspects of your personal and academic background that may lead to success in the program. (This is perhaps the most important item in your application package!).
An autobiographical sketch (A one page personal statement that is descriptive of your life.)
A curriculum vita or a resume) - a comprehensive list of your academic and/or professional accomplishments, including degrees and diplomas, work experience, conference presentations, publications, internships, volunteer work, and prizes, honors or awards

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

The M.A. in International Studies requires a minimum of 48 credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and two or fewer grades below B. Complete the following requirements:

Core Requirements

Introduction to Asian Studies

Complete one of the following two courses:

Research Methods

Complete at least one qualitative or quantitative graduate research methods course, for a minimum of 4 hours. Any course used to fulfill this requirement must be approved by the program director.

Asian Language Requirement

Complete two years (four semesters or equivalent) of Asian language courses. A maximum of 8 hours of language instruction may count toward degree requirements.

Students who are proficient in an Asian language are encouraged to study another regional language, although they may choose to take additional Asian studies elective courses instead. The decision should be made in consultation with both the program director and their advisor.

Capstone Hours

Students choosing to fulfill the capstone requirements by thesis or professional project may count a maximum of 10 hours of INST 6940 or INST 6950 toward degree requirements.

Students choosing to fulfull the capstone requirements by examination must complete an additional 10 hours of approved electives.

Specialization Core and Electives

Select one area of specialization from the following in which to complete a core and electives:

Southeast Asia
East Asia
Transnational Asia

Complete a minimum of 12 hours of core courses in the area of specialization. Core courses focus directly on the region. Complete a minimum of 8 hours of elective courses in the area of specialization. Elective courses may come from a variety of discipines. Both core and elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and the program director.

East Asia Specialization

Southeast Asia Specialization

Transnational Asia Specialization

Courses in these areas are dividied in to three areas: Arts, Popular Culture, & Media; Gender, Ethnicity, & Religion; and Globalization, Conflict, & Social Change. 

Arts, Popular Culture, & Media

Gender, Ethnicity, & Religion

Globalization, Conflict, & Social Change

Culminating Experience

A capstone project will be due in the final semester of the program. The capstone can take the format of a comprehensive exam, professional project, or a thesis.

Comprehensive Exam: The examination permits a final synthesis, asking students to relate course work, research skills and literature. It is a final review of the student’s progress and an opportunity for students to draw together their disciplines. One of the major purposes of the comprehensive exam is, in fact, to cause the student to reflect upon the interdisciplinary dimensions of their program. Three possible overall results may emerge from the exam; Pass, Partial Pass where the student will have to follow-up with an oral exam; and Fail.
Professional Project: Students who are not planning to continue their education at the doctoral level may opt for a more practical educational experience. The professional project, typically in the form of a final paper intended for submission to an academic journal or a grant proposal intended for submission to a granting agency, allows students to prepare to enter the workforce by developing a submission quality grant proposal that may or may not be submitted to an actual organization. A committee of three faculty members must be chosen by the end of spring semester of the student’s first year of study.
Thesis: Students who wish to pursue this option should see the program director early in their first semester to discuss the possibilities and also consult the Thesis and Dissertation (TAD) guidelines on the Graduate College website.