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Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 48 total credit hours and a capstone project is needed to complete the program.

Capstone options include: a comprehensive written exam, a professional project, or a thesis.

Culminating Experience details

Program Requirements

(48 credits)

Core Requirements

Introduction to Asian Studies

Complete one of the following two courses:

• INST 5200 - Introduction to Southeast Asian Studies
• POLS 5440 - East Asia in World Politics

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 fulfill the capstone requirements by examination must complete an additional 10 hours of approved electives.

• INST 6940 - Professional Project
• INST 6950 - Thesis

Specialization Core and Electives

Select one area of specialization from the following in which to complete a core (12 hours) and electives (8 hours):

• Southeast Asia
• East Asia
• Transnational Asia

Both core and elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and the program director.

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 coursework, 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.