Asian Languages and Civilizations (Japanese), MA
Program Description
Degree Awarded: MA Asian Languages and Civilizations (Japanese)
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.
Degree Overview
The Asian languages faculty in the School of International Letters and Cultures offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts in Asian Languages and Civilizations (Japanese). In addition to preparing some students for further academic training, the program helps to prepare students for jobs relating to Japan (in fields such as law, business or journalism) and for entrance into professional schools.
The plan of study for the master's includes a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level work and a thesis, as approved by the candidate's supervisory committee. The plan must include a JPN 501-Proseminar East Asian Humanities course offered by the department. When approved by the candidate's supervisory committee, nine hours of advanced-level work in another language or in closely related courses may be included in the plan.
Courses and Electives
The coursework for each student is individualized and based upon the student's previous training, research goals, and mentor and committee consensus. Our program requires students to complete a written thesis.
Curriculum
The degree plan includes a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate work, as approved by the candidate's supervisory committee, and a thesis. The plan must include the JPN 501 Proseminar East Asian Humanities course offered by the department. When approved by the candidate's supervisory committee, nine hours of advanced-level work in another language or in closely related courses may be included. Students who are primarily interested in teaching at the secondary or community college levels may select a plan of study with a concentration in language pedagogy.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of Graduate College and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
| Degree requirements | Credit hours |
| Core course | 3 |
| Concentration course | 3 |
| Electives | 18 |
| Culminating experience | 6 |
| Total credit hours | 30 |
Degree Requirements
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (JPN 593)
Required Core (3 credit hours)
CHI 501 or JPN 501 Proseminar: East Asian Humanities (3)
Concentration (3 credit hours)
JPN 586 History of Japanology (3)
Electives (18 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours)
JPN 593 Applied Project (6) or
JPN 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information
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.
Electives are selected in consultation with the program chairperson.
Admission Requirements
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.
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Career Opportunities
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
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- silc@asu.edu
- 480/965-6281