Graduate/Credential

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Advisor

Applying to the M.A. Program in Asian Studies

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024 for Fall 2024 admission. 
International students should visit the Center for International Education website for additional information and criteria at https://www.ccpe.csulb.edu/International/about.aspx?pID=98.

  1. Apply online at Cal State Apply as a graduate student.
  2. Submit the following documents via Cal State Apply.
    • Statement of Purpose (maximum of two pages)
    • Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a professor with whom the applicant has studied.

*NOTE: Admissions to the Japanese Language and Pedagogy (JLP) option has been suspended until Further Notice. We are not accepting applications for the JLP option at this time.

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Description

The Master of Arts (MA) in Asian Studies (AST) provides a comparative understanding of the cultural, economic, and socio-political significance of Asia in the 21st century. It requires competency in one or more Asian languages. To achieve this, MA students are encouraged to study abroad for part of their course work. For students interested in teaching Asian languages, this degree also offers the Chinese Studies option in “Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language,” or the Asian Studies option “Japanese Language and Pedagogy.” Graduates from the MA program in Asian Studies can expect to be much more competitive for positions in the Foreign Service, State Department, K-12 and community college education and administration, international finance and industry, non-governmental organizations, academic publishing, professional translation work, and Ph.D. programs in Chinese, Japanese, or Asian Studies. Chinese Studies option (30-42 units, including 12 units of core courses) This option includes a choice between two tracks: 1) Chinese Language and Culture and 2) Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.

  • Track 1: “Asian Studies, Chinese Language and Culture Option, M.A.” is tailored for non-native speakers of Chinese who would like to explore more about Chinese language and culture, without the intention to become a Chinese language instructor.
  • Track 2: “Asian Studies, Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Option, M.A.” targets native speakers or near-native speakers of Chinese who would like to become a Chinese language instructor either in the United States or in China.
  • For further information see the CSULB Catalog or contact AAAS for the list of courses associated with this option.


*NOTE: Admission to the Japanese Language and Pedagogy (JLP) option has been suspended until Further Notice. We are not accepting applications for the JLP option at this time.

The Asian Studies, Japanese Language and Pedagogy (JLP) option (33-42 units including 12 units of core courses) The JLP option provides students with a vigorous training in pedagogy to teach Japanese as a foreign and heritage language while they further develop Japanese language ability. The JLP option has two goals. Upon successful completion of the option, students should be able to (1) apply their pedagogical knowledge and skills, which they have acquired in the course work, to their teaching, and (2) develop Advanced-level proficiency of Japanese language based on ACTFL’s Proficiency Guidelines. All courses are taught in Japanese.   For further information see the CSULB Catalog or contact AAAS for the list of courses associated with this option.

Student Learning Outcomes

Asian Studies: By the end of their course work in comparative Asian Studies, graduate students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate their ability to research comparative topics on Asia using at least one Asian language along with European language sources. They will demonstrate this in their culminating project. 
  2. Demonstrate a comparative understanding of the cultural, economic, or socio-political significance of Asia in the 21st century. They will demonstrate this through their course work and culminating project.
  3. Demonstrate research proficiency in at least one Asian language. They will demonstrate this through their course work and culminating project.

Asian Studies – Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Option: By the end of their course work in this option, graduate students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic comparative understanding of China’s regional and international economic, cultural, or political influence. They will demonstrate this through projects in the core AST graduate level courses.
  2. Demonstrate their understanding of applied Chinese linguistics. They will demonstrate this through the development of course materials, lesson plans, teaching demonstrations and their culminating project.

Asian Studies – Japanese Language and Pedagogy Option: By the end of their course work in this option, graduate students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic comparative understanding of Japan’s regional and international economic, cultural, or political influence. They will demonstrate this through projects in the core AST graduate level courses.
  2. Demonstrate their understanding of applied Japanese linguistics. They will demonstrate this through the development of course materials, lesson plans, teaching demonstrations and their culminating project.

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Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree in a major in Asian Studies, an Asian language, or a field with an emphasis on Asia, such as Cultural Geography, International Business, International Studies and Linguistics. Those who did not earn a bachelor’s degree in these fields but possess language fluency and/or related work experience  (such as international applicants), also are strongly encouraged to apply.
  2. A 3.0 (“B”) GPA in Asia and Asian language related courses taken as an undergraduate. (A student whose GPA is less than 3.0 may appeal to the Department’s Graduate Committee for a possible waiver of this requirement.)
  3. English language competency:
    • International students must take either the TOEFL or the IELTS exam.  For admission to graduate study, a minimum score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL is required. TOEFL official score results must be submitted from Educational Testing Service (ETS). The CSULB institution code for TOEFL reporting is 4389. If you choose to take the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.0 in each sub-section is required. Upon admission, your English competency will be assessed by the AAAS Department and an additional two English language courses may be required (English 301A, 301B).
  4. Asian language requirement:
    • For the MA in Asian Studies, non-native speakers should be competent in an Asian language to the Intermediate-mid level according to the 2012 ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.  *Non-native speakers who have lived abroad may be tested for this competency and should contact the Department for further information.
    • The “Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language” and the “Japanese Language and Pedagogy” options require a native or near-native level of proficiency for admission. Students must possess at a minimum the Intermediate-High level of Japanese language proficiency according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in all four skills.
  5. Two letters of recommendation (preferably from academic sources).
  6. A short statement of the candidate’s objectives in pursuing the AST MA degree.

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Requirements for the MA

Advancement to Candidacy

Students should see the Graduate Advisor to file Advancement to Candidacy after at least 6 units but no more than 15 units of graduate coursework are completed. We encourage students to complete their MA within two-three years. Students must have taken AST 600 as well as have fulfilled the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).  For the GWAR requirement see http://csulb.edu/divisions/aa/gwar/. Advancement must take place at least two semesters prior to taking the Comprehensive Exams. The Comprehensive Examination Approval Form must be filed with department at the time of Advancement. Advancement to Candidacy is a formal contract listing courses the student has taken, is taking, and will take. Changes to contract may be made in consultation with Graduate Advisor. [Back to top]