Exploring East Asian Studies Programs and Research at UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers comprehensive East Asian Studies programs, providing students with opportunities to delve into the cultures, languages, and societies of China, Japan, and Korea. These programs cater to a diverse range of interests, from language acquisition to advanced research, and prepare students for various career paths.

Overview of the East Asian Studies M.A. Program

The East Asian Studies M.A. program at UCLA is designed for students seeking a broad understanding of East Asia. It is suitable for those aiming for careers in fields like journalism, business, law, government service, public health, or secondary school education. Many graduates also pursue further studies in Ph.D. programs.

Key Features

Concentration: Students focus on a specific country (China, Japan, or Korea) by selecting courses from various departments.
Interdisciplinary Approach: The curriculum includes courses covering other areas of Asia, Asian-American Studies, and relevant methodology and theory.
Customization: Individual programs can be tailored to fit specific interests with the consent of the student's faculty advisor.
Areas of Specialization: The program recognizes three areas of specialization: China, Japan, and Korea.

Program Structure and Requirements

The M.A. degree requires the completion of nine courses, with at least five being graduate seminars (200-level classes). The remaining four courses can be upper-division courses (100-level classes) or additional graduate courses. Lower-division language classes (below the 100 level) do not count toward the required nine courses. At least five courses must be in the student's area of concentration, including one survey course chosen in consultation with the Graduate Studies Chair. Additionally, at least one course should be in a cultural area outside the area of concentration. A maximum of two independent studies courses (500 series) can be applied toward the nine courses, with only one counting toward the minimum of five graduate courses.

Language Proficiency

A minimum of three years of an East Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) or demonstrated equivalency is required in addition to the nine courses. Equivalent UCLA courses are Chinese 100C, Japanese 100C, and Korean 100C. Students who have taken language courses in non-UCLA programs need to take a placement exam before enrolling in a language course at UCLA. Language placement exams are offered by the Asian Languages and Cultures department during week 0 of Fall quarter and week 1 of Winter quarter. Native speakers of Chinese, Korean, or Japanese may be exempt from the language requirement, subject to approval by the program's chair.

Program Duration

The full-time program typically lasts 12 months.

Application Deadlines

For a start date of September 22, 2027, the application deadline is December 1, 2026.

Location

The program is delivered on campus in Beverly Hills, United States.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition fees vary based on residency status:

Non-residents: \$36297 per year
Out-of-State: \$36297 per year
In-State: \$21115 per year

Living Costs

Estimated living costs in Beverly Hills range from \$1100 to \$1600 per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities, books, and groceries.

Capstone Project and Thesis Options

Students can choose between a Capstone Project and a thesis to complete their M.A. degree.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project involves submitting three research papers (at least one seminar paper and two upper-division papers) for evaluation by an ad hoc committee. One paper can be from outside the area of concentration with approval from the program chair. The average acceptable paper is 15 to 20 pages long. Students submit hard copies of each paper to the program’s counseling office (Bunche Hall 10256) during their last term. Electronic copies are also accepted.

Thesis Option

The thesis option requires completing an approved thesis that demonstrates original, independent research. Students must obtain permission from the graduate adviser to pursue this option. A three-member faculty committee supervises and assesses the thesis, working closely with the student in its development, writing, and revision. The thesis should be about 50 pages long and publishable as a single article.

Thesis Committee

The thesis committee is responsible for ensuring that the thesis meets University standards of scholarship. Students interested in pursuing a thesis should contact faculty members directly to express their interests. The student needs to communicate clearly and in a timely manner with their committee about their progress.

A master’s thesis is a piece of original research paper with focus on East Asia written under the direction of three faculty committee. A master’s thesis is about 50-page long and it should be publishable as a single article.

The student must forward the M.A. thesis committee nomination form to the program's office by Friday of week 2 of the final quarter of enrollment. The form has to be signed by faculty thesis committee.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Language Training

The East Asian Studies M.A. program offers opportunities for both further language development and the study of a second East Asian language. While additional language courses may extend the time needed to complete the degree, they provide valuable skills for advanced coursework and research.

Language Placement

Students who took language courses in non-UCLA programs and would like to continue taking the language course at UCLA, must take a placement exam before enrolling in the course. Language placement exams are offered by Asian Languages and Cultures department during week 0 of Fall quarter and week 1 of Winter quarter.

Language Exemption

Native speakers of Chinese, Korean, or Japanese may be exempt from taking language courses to fulfill the EAS MA program language requirement. Exemption petitions are approved on individual basis by program's chair.

Other Requirements

General requirements include:

Statement of purpose
Personal history statement
Three letters of recommendation
A research paper or other writing sample
Transcript
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
TOEFL scores

Resources and Support

Academic Advising: Upon entering the program, the chair serves as a temporary academic advisor.
Thesis Workshop: Students must attend a thesis workshop offered by the UCLA Graduate Division during their final quarter.
UCLA General Catalog: Consult the UCLA General Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula.

F-1 and J-1 Student Status

Starting Winter 2026, paying the Filing Fee alone will no longer maintain F-1 or J-1 student status. F-1 and J-1 students completing their degree must register full-time to meet the final quarter registration requirement. If you do not complete your degree in the quarter that you filed your Filing Fee request, the university views you as out-of-status (not a student).

Minor in International and Area Studies

The International and Area Studies Interdepartmental Program created the minor because several students had expressed interest in that option. The minor is interdisciplinary and interdepartmental by nature and offers courses about Chinese, Japanese and Korean society, said Magda Yamamoto, the undergraduate adviser for the program.

tags: #UCLA #East #Asian #Studies #programs #and