East Asian Languages, Literatures & Cultures
East Asian Languages, Literatures & Cultures

4+1 B.A./M.A. Program

MASTER OF ARTS IN EAST ASIAN STUDIES

Administered through the East Asia Center, the 4+1 B.A./M.A. Program for UVa Students is an interdisciplinary program intended for students who want in-depth exposure to East Asia at the graduate level while also gaining competency in an East Asian language. The program is designed for students who seek a rich knowledge of East Asia as preparation for careers in business, government service, and media, or as preparation for entering professional schools or doctoral programs. We now offer a streamlined pathway into the M.A. program for suitably qualified UVa undergraduates in the College or in other Schools who already have had exposure to East Asian studies through their majors, minors, or language training.  Undergraduates can apply directly to the Center for promotion into the master’s program without having to pay an application fee and sit for standardized tests.

Classes focused on East Asia are offered in the following departments:

  • Anthropology
  • Art (Art History)
  • History
  • Media Studies
  • Politics
  • Religious Studies
  • East Asian Languages, Literatures and Cultures

ELIGIBILITY

Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 are eligible to apply.  

REQUIREMENTS

30 credits with the following distribution

  1. Completion of a total of 30 graduate credit hours, as follows:
    • 24 credit hours of graded graduate-level coursework, including 18 credit hours in Asia-related courses and a distribution of at least six credits each in a minimum of two different departments
    • 6 credit hours of non-topical research (EAST 8998 and 8999) toward preparation and writing of the Master's thesis.
    • Please note that non-Asian courses and independent study credits must be approved by the Graduate Committee of the East Asia Center
  2. By the time of graduation, students must achieve and demonstrate language proficiency in an East Asian language at the third-year level.  No language courses below the 5000 level may be used to satisfy the 24 credit hour requirement.  This certification can be achieved by passing third-year language courses here at the University or through an examination administered through the Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
  3. Complete a Master's thesis under the guidance of two faculty advisors (at least one of whom is an East Asia faculty member) and undergo an oral defense.

FORMS

To complete an application form click here and follow the included instructions. 

Completed Applications are Due March 31st.

Students should apply  in their third year, but qualified exceptional cases (i.e., fourth year students who have already taken graduate level courses that they’re not using for undergrad requirements) will be considered on a case by case basis.

SCHOLARSHIPS

For information on scholarships and grant funding, please visit the East Asia Center.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.