About the Program
The Chinese and Japanese programs of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (MLL) offer an MA degree program in East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Emphasizing second language instruction and an extensive knowledge of Chinese and Japanese literatures and cultures, this program will offer two tracks: (1) Chinese and (2) Japanese. Students entering this program will elect one of these two tracks.
EALC encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary interests, correlating linguistic knowledge with numerous intellectual disciplines.
Expertise of our core faculty and affiliated members is wide-ranging, including, for example: literary studies, religion, second-language acquisition, visual culture and film studies, and modern history. Our diverse curriculum, which emphasizes language and cultural proficiency, trains students who wish to continue studies in a compatible PhD or professional program, and prepares students for work in federal and foreign service, NGO fields, and language instruction.
Admissions
REQUIREMENTS (for general University requirements and for information on how to submit an online application, see MLL Graduate-Studies): advanced-low language level or higher in Chinese or Japanese; statement of purpose (in English); academic writing sample (in English); three letters of recommendation; complete and acceptable ("good standing") academic transcripts; GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale; GRE scores; TOEFL score (for international students); departmental approval, consisting of the collective appraisal of the program faculty. The application is then submitted to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for appropriate action. Before beginning graduate work in EALC, a student normally has an undergraduate major in Chinese or Japanese or the equivalent with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Students who have not had such preparation should make certain to specify the scope of their language preparation in their statement of purpose. When filling out the online graduate application, please select either “Chinese” or “Japanese” based on your study plan. These options refer to the two tracks within the MA Program in East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC). In the online application system, you will not see an option labeled as “EALC.”
The GRE requirement is waived until Fall 2026.
FINANCIAL AID
Graduate students in EALC are eligible for a range of scholarships and other awards. These include fellowships, teaching assistantships, study-abroad scholarships, and travel and research funds. Click here for more details including application deadlines. Applicants from the Academic Common Market participating states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) may be eligible to apply for in-state tuition rates.
MA DEGREES AND REQUIREMENTS
The MA degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures is expected to be completed in two years during which the student must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. At least 21 of these credit hours must be taken on a letter-grade basis. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be language courses. There are two primary tracks within the EALC MA program: Chinese and Japanese. For each track, the student must take four language courses in their designated primary language area (Chinese or Japanese, for a minimum of 12 credit hours, [native speakers of Japanese or Chinese might fulfill this requirement with the other program language]), as well as East Asian Humanities (3 credit hours). All required courses must be taken on a letter-grade basis. During the last semester (usually the second Spring semester of the two-year full-time MA study), the student chooses Option A (Comprehensive Examination) or Option B (Significant Research Project) to complete the Program.
In addition, students will also take 18 credit hours of elective courses (30 credit hours for native speakers of Japanese or Chinese). These courses should be graduate courses in the East Asian MA Program.
Please refer to the MLL Graduate Studies Handbook for more detailed guidelines.