East Asian Languages & Cultures, MA
for the degree of Master of Arts in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Admission
Applicants are expected to have a strong background in at least one East Asian language; normally, this means a minimum of two years of formal study. Applicants to the graduate program must submit an application for admission online and submit a statement of purpose, three letters of reference completed by teachers, advisers, or recent employers, and a 10-20 page writing sample. Original transcripts (with English translations if applicable) showing all undergraduate and graduate work completed should be sent to:
SLCL Graduate Student Services
3070 Foreign Languages Bldg.
707 S. Mathews Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required and should be submitted to institution code 1836. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 103 on the internet-based test (iBT) for admission with full standing; they must also pass the speaking sub-section of the iBT with a minimum score of 24. Students with a B.A. or B.S. only should apply to the M.A. Applications are accepted for fall admission only. Application questions may be directed to SLCL Graduate Student Services.
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including East Asian Languages and Cultures. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program. Therefore, applicants are requested to include information on teaching background as part of the application, and students can normally be expected to teach at least one semester as part of their graduate experience. Non-native English speakers must first pass a test of their oral English ability.
Financial Aid
The Department makes every effort to assist graduate students in securing financial aid. Financial aid packages usually combine some form of fellowship support with teaching or research assistantships in a manner that allows for both teaching experience and timely completion of the degree. In recent years, almost all EALC graduate students have received some form of financial support. Financial aid for graduate students in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures may include:
- University Fellowships
- Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
- University Dissertation Completion Fellowships
- Minority Academic Partnership Plan (MAPP) Fellowships
- teaching assistantships
- research assistantships
All awards of financial aid are made following competitive application.
for the degree of Master of Arts East Asian Languages and Cultures
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's guide to Graduate Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two 500-level courses in the major field including one course designated as a research seminar in which the student produces a research paper using Asian language sources. | 8 | |
| EALC 500 | Proseminar in EALC | 4 |
| Distribution requirements. a minimum of two (8 hours) 400- or 500-level courses that are: 1. outside the major field of interest. 2. in an East Asian culture other than the major areas of interest. 3. in a Second Period (modern or premodern) | 8 | |
| Elective hours | 8 | |
| Language Requirement: Candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of one East Asian language at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of appropriate (400-level) coursework or examination and passage of a written examination covering material studied while in residence. | ||
| EALC 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements (may overlap)
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two 500-level courses in the major field including one course designated as a research seminar in which the student produces a research paper using Asian language sources. | 8 | |
| EALC 500 | Proseminar in EALC | 4 |
| Distribution requirements. a minimum of two (8 hours) 400- or 500-level courses that are: 1. outside the major field of interest. 2. in an East Asian culture other than the major areas of interest. 3. in a Second Period (modern or premodern) | 8 | |
| Elective hours | 12 | |
| Language Requirement: Candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of one East Asian language at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of appropriate (400-level) coursework or examination and passage of a written examination covering material studied while in residence. | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements (may overlap)
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| M.A. Examination | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
for the degree of Master of Arts East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Learning goal in East Asian languages: Language proficiency in two East Asian languages.
- Learning goal in East Asian disciplines: Familiarity with a major field and at least one minor field outside of the student’s focused area to broaden students’ perspectives and ability to conduct interdisciplinary research and to teach general courses.
- Learning goal in East Asian periods: Understanding of both modern and pre-modern periods of East Asian societies.
- Learning goal in teaching preparedness: Proficiency in teaching methodologies to teach languages or to teach Gen-Ed courses.
- Learning goal in research: Completion of MA thesis or qualifying exams in three fields for MA students. Three qualifying exams, oral exam, and the completion of the dissertation and defense for Ph.D. students.
for the degree of Master of Arts in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Graduate Degree Programs in East Asian Languages & Cultures
for the degree of Master of Arts in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures
Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures website
East Asian Languages & Cultures Faculty
East Asian Languages & Cultures Graduate Degree Information
2090 Foreign Languages Building, 707 South Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-1432
East Asian Languages & Cultures email
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
Admissions
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements