Asian Languages/Civilizations (Japanese), MA
Asian Studies, Culture, East Asian, Japan, Japanese, Language, Language and Cultures, Linguistics, foreign, foreign language, literature
Work with exceptional professors to develop an understanding of Japanese language and culture, and be prepared for further academic training, entrance into professional schools or work in any career you choose.
The Asian languages faculty in the School of International Letters and Cultures offer a graduate program leading to an MA in Asian languages and civilizations with a concentration in Japanese.
ASU's Japanese master's degree program allows students to pursue their interests in Japanese history, literature and culture through advanced training in modern and classical Japanese, and through in-depth study of specific historical and cultural periods.
The training equips students with the skills to do original research in primary sources and with the critical and methodological background to understand their chosen fields. Areas of particular faculty strength include early modern and modern literature; film, animation and popular culture; translation studies; modern history; Japan's warrior cultures; and transnational studies, especially Sino-Japanese literary and cultural relations and kanshibun genres.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (JPN 593)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (3 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Electives are selected in consultation with the program chairperson.
CHI 501 or JPN 501 Proseminar: East Asian Humanities (3)
JPN 586 History of Japanology (3)
JPN 593 Applied Project (6) or
JPN 599 Thesis (6)
The MA in Asian languages and civilizations has concentrations in Chinese and Japanese. Students in the Chinese concentration take CHI 501 as required core and students in the Japanese concentration take JPN 501 for core. The course is cross-listed.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in Japanese or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- resume
- writing sample
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The writing sample should represent the applicant's thinking and writing skills on a topic connected with Japanese culture. An academic writing sample, such as a research paper from a previous course, is preferred. The personal statement should highlight the applicant's motivations and skills and indicate why they are interested in the Japanese graduate program. Candidates for the program should present the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Japanese upon entrance to the program. Those who lack this background but who show strong potential and meet the Graduate College admission requirements may be admitted to a graduate program on a conditional basis, pending removal of specified deficiencies. These deficiencies must be completed in addition to the regular plan of study for the master's degree.
Students should see the School of International Letters and Cultures website for more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Final |
Professionals with this degree can confidently move into academic, business and international fields. Skills developed through this program are valued for teaching positions, translation work or work in a larger sector such as governmental, diplomatic and international business career opportunities.
Career examples include:
- foreign service
- interpreters and translators
- lawyers
- reporters and correspondents
- social and community service managers
- state department
- supply chain managers
- teachers and professors of area, ethnic and cultural studies
- teachers and professors of foreign languages and literature
School of International Letters and Cultures
|
DH 318
silc@asu.edu
480-965-6281
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
