Master's Program

M.A. in East Asian Area Studies

Candidates for the M.A. degree are able to design an interdiscplinary program of study based on individual scholarly and professional goals.  Students choose from courses offered by departments and professional schools across the university, concentrating on one country (China, Japan, or Korea) or developing region-wide expertise. Students work closely with faculty advisors to design their program of study and to complete the required Masters thesis. There are over 70 faculty members affiliated with the East Asian Studies Center whose teaching and research interests focus on the countries of East Asia.  

Degree Requirements

Courses

  • EASC 592: Proseminar on Issues and Trends in Contemporary East Asia (4 units)
  • 1 of the following (4 units) or equivalent cultural history course:
    >EALC 531: Chinese Cultural History
    >EALC 532: Korean Cultural History
    >EALC 533: Japanese Cultural History
  • 4 additional courses (16 units) from the course list with the approval of a faculty advisor

Thesis

  • EASC 594a: Master's Thesis (2 units)
  • EASC 594b: Master's Thesis (2 units)

Check the USC Graduate School website for thesis submission guidelines and deadlines.

Language
Equivalent of 3 years of Chinese/Japanese/Korean language proficiency, either through coursework or placement test.

Total: 28 units + language 

Application Requirements

Applications are accepted for fall semester only. USC Graduate Admissions offers a web-based application in order to make the application process as easy and convenient as possible. Timely submission of required test scores and supporting documents by the application deadline of January 11, 2013 for academic year 2013-2014 is is necessary for your application to be considered complete. Once you create your account, you will receive a USC PIN and password so that you may return to work on your application over several sessions. Only after you submit your application will it be available for review by our Admissions Committee.

Completed Graduate Application: Access the online application here: https://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/applyonline/ 
Application Fee $85 - Can be waived for USC employees, USC students/alumni, McNair Scholars, and those with financial hardship. Please see more information on the USC Graduate Admissions FAQ.
Official Transcripts From all colleges/universities attended. Please follow the instructions on the USC Graduate Admissions website and have transcripts sent to their office. Note: USC requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale in which A=4.0).
Official GRE Scores The minimum GRE score for consideration is 153 Verbal/144 Quantitative. Send your official GRE scores using the ETS institution code for USC: 4852.
Statement of Purpose: Describe your reasons for applying to the M.A. program in East Asian Area Studies in 2-3 pages. 
Three Letters of Recommendation: Your letters should come from those who could best address your ability to successfully undertake graduate level work.  These individuals may include professional colleagues, business superiors, or past faculty. Letters of recommendation from co-workers, someone you have supervised, or personal and family friends are inappropriate. The online application allows you to e-mail your recommenders and request that they send their recommendations through e-mail or mail them as hard copies. If you receive hard copies of your recommendations, you may scan and upload them in your online application in the “Supporting Documents” section or send them to the USC Graduate Admissions address below. 
International Applicants Only: 
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within two years prior to the start of the semester of admission - Minimums for consideration: TOEFL score of 100 (Internet) or 600 (paper) within the last 2 years with no less than 20 on each section (listening/reading/writing/speaking), or IELTS score of 7, with no less than 6 on each band score.
  • Send your official TOEFL scores using the ETS institution code for USC: 4852. Send your official IELTS scores by choosing USC from the list of available institutions.
  • Financial guarantee statement showing proof of the ability to pay all tuition and living expenses
Writing Sample:  Optional and can be uploaded in your online application in the "Supporting Documents" section. 
Mail Documents To:  University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street
Room 112 
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915


*Please do not send any official test scores or other application documents to the East Asian Studies Center. Follow the instructions on the USC Graduate Admissions website and send all documents their office.


Program Costs

For academic year 2012-2013, USC tuition is $1473 per unit. Therefore, the tuition cost to complete the 28-unit Master's degree program in East Asian Area Studies is approximately $41,244 plus additional fees. Visit the USC Financial Aid Office website for more details.

USC/UCLA Cross-Enrollment

As a part of a cooperative program between USC and UCLA, graduate students may be eligible to take courses at the other school as part of their degree program. Please see the USC/UCLA Resource Sharing Program Cross-Enrollment Procedures for USC Students.

Joint M.B.A/M.A.

Applicants for the joint M.B.A./M.A. must first apply and be accepted into the full-time Marshall School of Business M.B.A. program. Students may apply for the M.A. in East Asian Area Studies during their first year of study in the M.B.A. program. If accepted, students earn a joint M.B.A./M.A. degree.

Deadline

The application deadline was JANUARY 11, 2013 for fall 2013 admission consideration.

Recent Events

JEASC Annual Conference & Graduate Professional Development Workshop: Asia and the Global South
Thursday, February 14, 2013


FAQ 

How long does it take to complete the program?
Students enrolled full-time typically finish the program in 2 years.

Can I apply for spring semester admission?
No. We only accept and review applications for fall semester admission.

Can you mail me program material or a paper application?
No. All applications must be submitted online through USC Graduate Admissions.

What is the TOEFL exemption policy for international students?
The TOEFL exam can be waived for international students under either of two conditions: 1) If the applicant's native language is English (students from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, excluding Quebec); or 2) If the applicant has received his/her bachelor's degree from a college or university in a country where English is the main, official language, such as the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., etc.

Dual degree programs do not qualify; the B.A. degree must be from a full 4- or 3- (if in the U.K.) year program. Countries where English are one of several main languages do not qualify, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. High school degrees and graduate degrees do not qualify.

How many international students are admitted to the program each year?
We do not have a set number for international students we admit to our program each year. Decisions on admission are solely based on the competitiveness of the applicant regardless of whether the student is domestic or international.


  • East Asian Studies Center
  • University of Southern California
  • 823 W. 34th Street
  • College House (CLH 101)
  • Los Angeles, CA 90089