Academics

The East Asian Area Studies (EAAS) Master of Arts is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide advanced academic background in East Asia. Candidates are able to design a program of study based on individual scholarly and professional goals, concentrating on one country (China, Japan, or Korea) or developing region-wide expertise. Whether you are looking to the MA degree to give you the academic background on East Asia for the next step in your professional career, or as a stepping stone to a PhD program, out MA degree offers the flexibility and rigor to meet your goals.

Graduate students interested in East Asian Area Studies must be enrolled in an advanced degree program in the Graduate School or in a professional school at the university. While preparing for an MA, PhD or other graduate degree, they may earn a certificate in East Asian Studies, which certifies special area competence beyond discipline requirements. Certificate students may choose from two tracks.

The East Asian Area Studies (EAAS) major offers an interdisciplinary approach to learning about East Asia, combining language study with history, social sciences and the humanities. EAAS is a complementary double major; students have successfully combined their study of East Asia with majors in biology, business, communication, film, international relations, and more. The EAAS major also provides a strong foundation for students pursuing additional training in graduate or professional programs as well as those seeking careers in public service, journalism, international business and law, government, and the private sector.

Minors in East Asian Area Studies (EAAS) and Korean Studies (KRNS) offer a great complementary focus for students in professional schools or liberal arts. Students in these minors have majors in a range of disciplines, including economics, religion, business, neuroscience, and public policy.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of EASC’s academic programs, students can take East Asia-related courses in more than 40 departments and schools at USC. Each semester, EASC compiles undergraduate and graduate course lists that can be applied to the East Asian Area Studies major/minor or MA degree. Korean Studies minors may take Korea-related coursework from the undergraduate course list.