ASNST:MA - Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Arts (MA) in Asian Studies

Applications to the Master of Arts (MA) in Asian Studies program must be made through the FIU University Graduate School (UGS) online portal. Applicants must also submit the following materials, as required by UGS:

(1) Statement of Purpose

(2) One Letter of Recommendation

(3) Transcripts from previous accredited institution(s)

As required by the program, applicants must meet one of the following minimum requirements for admission to the MA in Asian Studies program:

(1) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;

(2) A 3.2 GPA in undergraduate degree program;

(3) A 3.0 GPA in undergraduate degree program with appropriate language or study abroad background as determined by examination or evaluated by the program faculty committee.

(4) A master’s degree in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited institution;

The above admission requirements are minimums and not all students meeting them are assured admission. The GRE is not required.

International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Admissions Requirements for the Combined Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Asian Studies to MA in Asian Studies Accelerated Degree Pathway

To be considered for admission to the combined bachelor’s/master’s degree pathway, students must have completed at least 75 credits in the bachelor’s degree program at FIU and meet the admissions criteria for the graduate degree program to which they are applying. Students need only apply once to the combined degree pathway; the application is submitted to Graduate Admissions typically before the student starts the last 30 credits of the bachelor’s degree program. A student admitted to the combined degree pathway will be considered to have undergraduate status until the student applies for graduation from their bachelor’s degree program. Upon conferral of the bachelor’s degree, the student will be granted graduate status and be eligible for graduate assistantships. Only 5000-level or higher courses, and no more than the number of credits specified by the program catalog, may be applied toward both degrees. A complete application requires:

(1) Current enrollment in BA in Asian Studies program at FIU;

(2) Completion of 75 credits of undergraduate coursework;

(3) Overall GPA of 3.2 (including undergraduate and graduate courses);

(4) One letter of recommendation;=

(5) Statement of purpose discussing interests in the field.

Students should consult the Asian Studies website for a more comprehensive discussion of admission requirements (http://asian.fiu.edu).

Admissions Requirements for the MA in Asian Studies and PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies Joint Degree Pathway 

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements of Global and Sociocultural Studies to be considered for admission:

(1) Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for higher education (or equivalent);

(2) Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last two years of undergraduate work and/or a GPA of 3.5 on any previous graduate work;

(3) Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores;

(4) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a degree from an English-speaking academic institution are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper-based version) or a 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required. 

Admission Procedures

To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application to the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies with a sub-plan for a MA in Asian Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application. To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application by February 1st in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

The following documents must be submitted and will be reviewed by the Admissions Committees from both units.

The following must be submitted as part of the online application:

(1) Online application and application fee;

(2) Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework;

(3) Official GRE scores;

(4) Official TOEFL scores, if applicable;

(5) Statement of purpose explaining his/her interest for enrolling in both the MA in Asian Studies program and in the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies program. The statement of purpose must clearly address the applicant's academic and professional objectives for enrolling in both fields of inquiry. The statement of purpose must also indicate the intended major (international political economy or Asian cultural studies for the MA in Asian Studies; anthropology, geography, or sociology for the PhD in Global and Sociocultral Studies) the applicant plans to select while engaged in the PhD in Global and Socriocultural Studies program;

(6) Three letters of recommendation from university professors who are able to comment on the various aspects of the student's academic ability;

(7) A curriculum vitae or resume; and

(8) Writing samples and other relevant professional work that may support their applications.

Admissions Requirements for the MA in Asian Studies and PhD in International Relations Joint Degree Pathway

The MA in Asian Studies/PhD in International Relations joint degree pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees simultaneously. To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application for the MA in Asian Studies/PhD in International Relations by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies. Applicants must meet the admission eligibility requirements and follow the admission procedures for both programs.

Admissions Requirements for the MA in Asian Studies and PhD in History Joint Degree Pathway

The MA in Asian Studies/PhD in History joint degree pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees simultaneously. To be accepted into this pathway, students must simultaneously submit applications for the MA in Asian Studies and the PhD in History. Applicants must meet the admission eligibility requirements and follow the admission procedures for both programs.

Other Curricular Offering: Combined BA in Asian Studies to MA in Asian Studies Accelerated Degree Pathway

The combined BA/MA degree pathway allows highly qualified undergraduate students to pursue an accelerated MA degree in Asian Studies. Students accepted into this pathway will be able to complete the MA degree as early as one year sooner than would otherwise be possible. Students accepted into the Asian Studies Honors track are particularly encouraged to apply for this pathway.

The program gives students the opportunity to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that will count towards both the BA and the MA.  Students may take up to four 5000-level or higher graduate courses their senior year and follow the regular MA curriculum after they earn their BA degree.

Undergraduate Senior Year

--Fall Semester – apply to the program by the end of the semester
--Spring Semester – take 12 credits, including 9 graduate credits in 5000-level or higher courses

Graduate Program

--Summer Semester – take 3 graduate credits (5000-level or higher)
--Fall Semester – take 9 graduate credits (5000-level or higher)
--Spring Semester – take 9 graduate credits (5000-level or higher, including thesis or master’s essay)

Students in the combined BA/MA pathway in Asian Studies must complete all other requirements for the MA degree in Asian Studies (please consult the program’s online graduate handbook). Students in this program have up to a year to complete the master’s degree after receipt of the bachelor’s degree. Students who fail to meet this year post BA requirement or who elect to leave the combined pathway at any time and earn only the BA degree will have the same access requirements to regular graduate programs as any other student, but will not be able to use the 12 graduate credits in both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Other Curricular Offering: MA in Asian Studies and PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies Joint Degree Pathway

The MA in Asian Studies/PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies joint degree pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees at the same time. Students can develop an expertise in Asian Studies while progressing towards a PhD in one of the three majors in the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies program: geography, sociology, or anthropology.

Degree Requirements for MA in Asian Studies

(30 credits Thesis Option/30 credits Non-Thesis Option) Up to 30 credits earned for the MA in Asian Studies will count towards the 75 credits required for the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies program. Exceptions can be made based on the needs of the doctoral program

Core: 6 credits

--course Methods in Asian Studies
--course Asian Studies Colloquium
--course Topics in Modern Asia
--course Independent Research in Asian Studies
--course Seminar in Asian Studies
--course Internship in Asian Studies

Courses required for Global and Sociocultural Studies Track: 12 credits

--course Research Design and Methods
--course Theory and Inquiry
--course Social Research Quantitative Methods
--course Writing Research Proposals

Asian Studies Courses: 6 credits

Students must take 6 credits Asia-specific courses pertaining to main concentration (from courses listed below):

--course Graduate Seminar in Urban Sociology
--course Japanese Society in Global Perspective
--course State and Society in China

Language Requirement

Depending on the research topic students may be required to demonstrate language competency by the Asian Studies Graduate Committee.

MA in Asian Studies Exit Options, Thesis or Non-Thesis Master's Essay

Thesis Exit Option (6 credits):

--course Thesis

Non-Thesis Master's Essay Exit Option (6 credits):

--course Master’s Essay (3 credits)
--One additional Asia-specific course (3 credits)

Master’s Essay can be taken multiple times. Some students may be encouraged to develop their research projects by taking this course.

Application for Graduation from MA in Asaian Studies

Students should apply for graduation for the MA in Asian Studies as soon as they have completed all requirements for the degree – including the exit option.

Matriculation to PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies

All students must undergo a successful review upon completion of the MA in Asian Studies program requirements in order to continue toward the PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies. The Global and Sociocultural Studies Graduate Committee, along with an appointee from Asian Studies, conducts these reviews. The purpose of the MA review is to determine the ability of the student to do PhD-level work with the department’s faculty. Among the information considered during the review are student’s performances and grades in courses, and faculty recommendations. 

Degree Requirements for PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies

The PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies program requires a minimum of 75 credits beyond the baccalaureate including a dissertation based on original research; up to 30 credits of the MA in AS will count toward the 75-credit minimum. Thus, a minimum of 42 credits must be earned beyond the MA.

Major Courses: 36 credits

All doctoral students will choose a major in Anthropology, Geography, or Sociology. The following distribution of coursework is required:

-- Major theory methods: 3 credits
-- Major methods: 3 credits
-- Major course electives: 9 credits minimum
-- Doctoral Exam Preparation: 6 credits maximum
-- Doctoral Dissertation: 15 credits minimum

General Electives: 6 credits

--GSS and non-GSS department electives

PhD General Examination

After successfully completing the common core requirements, the major's course requirements, and electives, a student prepares for the PhD General Exam by enrolling in a maximum of six credits of exam preparation for their major. In preparation for the exam, a student forms a dissertation committee according to the regulations published on the University Graduate School web page (http://gradschool.fiu.edu). The PhD General Exam addresses the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and is conducted according to the University Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual and the Department’s PhD General Exam guidelines.

The Dissertation Proposal and Defense/Candidacy Exam

After passing the PhD General Exam, a student works under the guidance of the dissertation committee to prepare a dissertation proposal and defend it orally before the committee. The chair of the dissertation committee must hold Dissertation Advisor Status from the University Graduate School. The proposal defense serves as the doctoral candidacy exam for the PhD program in Global and Sociocultural Studies. Upon passing the proposal defense, a student is admitted to candidacy status.

The Dissertation and Dissertation Defense

After successfully defending a dissertation proposal, a student conducts the proposed research and completes a dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Only after successfully defending the dissertation proposal may a student register for dissertation hours (course, course or course). The PhD program requires a student to be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits of Doctoral Dissertation each semester from the time of advancement to candidacy until completion of the dissertation, including summers. Upon completion of the dissertation manuscript and authorization by the committee, a student defends the dissertation before the committee and the university community. The University Graduate School’s regulations governing the dissertation are described at http://gradschool.fiu.edu.

Other Curricular Offering: MA in Asian Studies and PhD in International Relations Joint Degree Pathway

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs, and up to 33 credits may count for both degrees. To graduate, students must complete the requirements of the International Relations doctoral program, including the required 75 hours.

In addition to the requirements for the two degrees, during their first two years of enrollment in this combined degree pathway, students will enroll in the following course which fulfills the MA in Asian Studies methods requirement:

--course Research Design in International Relations

The following International Relations courses will also be taken by MA in Asian Studies students during the first two years of the program and will count toward the MA:

--course Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations
--course Political Economy of International Relations

Master of Arts in Asian Studies: 30 credit hours for both the Thesis and Non-Thesis Options  

Core Courses: 24 credits

-- 9 credits of ASN 5000 or 6000 courses approved by the director
-- 9 credits pertaining to world affairs  
-- 6 credits in Asian area studies

MA in Asian Studies offers two exit options, Thesis or Non-Thesis Master's Essay

Thesis Exit Option: 6 credits

--course Master's Thesis

Non-Thesis Master's Essay Exit Option: 6 credits

--course Master's Essay: 3 credits (Master’s Essay can be taken multiple times. Some students may be encouraged to develop their research projects by taking this course.)
--one additional course: 3 credits

Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations: 75 credit hours

Core Courses: 15 credits

-- course Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations
--course Research Design in International Relations
--course International Relations Theory I
--course Contemporary International Relations Theory  

Second methods course from the following list (or another methods course approved by the graduate program director):

--INR XXXX Qualitative and Interpretive Methods in International Relations
--course Methodology
--course Econometric Methods I
--course Ethnohistorical Research Methods
--course Qualitative Research Methods
--course Topics in GIS
--course Applied Quantitative Analysis I
--course Applied Quantitative Analysis II
--course Empirical Methods in Public Administration

Gateway courses: 9 credits

There are four major field of study: (1) Global Political Economy and Development (2) Comparative Area Studies (3) Foreign Policy and Security Studies, and (4) Global  Governance, International Law and International Ethics. Student must take one gateway course for three of these fields. Gateway courses for each field are:

(1) course Political Economy of International Relations
(2) course Approaches to Area Studies
(3) course Strategic Studies
(4) course International Law I or course International Organizations

 Major and Minor Fields: 15 credits

--9 credits in major field of study
--6 credits in minor field of study

Electives: 15 credits

--Additional elective coursework

Comprehensive Exams: 6 credits

Once students have achieved 60 credits, they must sit for written examination on the core sequence of their fields

Dissertation: 15 credits

--course PhD Dissertation

Other Curricular Offering: MA in Asian Studies and PhD in History Joint Degree Pathway

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs, and up to 36 credits may count for both degrees. To graduate, students must complete the requirements of the History doctoral program, including the required 75 hours.

During their first two years of enrollment in this dual degree program, students will enroll in the following coursework which fulfills the MA in Asian Studies requirements:

MA in Asian Studies: 30 credit hours required for both the Thesis and Non-Thesis Master's Essay Options

Core Courses: 24 credits

-- 9 credits of ASN 5000 or 6000 courses approved by the director  
-- 9 credits pertaining to world affairs  
-- 6 credits in Asian area studies

MA in Asian Studies offers two exit options, Thesis or Non-Thesis Master's Essay

Thesis Exit Option: 6 credits

-- course Master's Thesis

Non-Thesis Master's Essay Exit Option: 6 credits

-- course Master's Essay: 3 credits (Master’s Essay can be taken multiple times. Some students may be encouraged to develop their research projects by taking this course)
-- one additional course: 3 credits

Students will begin study towards the PhD in History immediately following their satisfactory completion of the MA in Asian Studies degree requirements. Students are expected to meet at the degree requirements for the PhD in History, which requires a total of 75 credits.

Doctor of Philosophy in History

Courses required in addition to the degree requirements for the MA in Asian Studies (minimum 42-45 credits depending on MA Option selected)

-- course Advanced Readings in Atlantic Civilization: 3 credits
-- course Research in Atlantic Civilization: 3 credits
-- 6 credits outside of Asian Studies and Atlantic Civilization (also excluding Methods), 3 credits of which must be in a comparative course (HIS or WOH prefix)
--15-18 credits electives depending on MA option
--course Ph.D. Dissertation: 15 credits

There are no majors associated with this program..