The Master of Arts program in Asian civilizations requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit, including 24 s.h. earned in residence at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00.

Detailed information on degree requirements is sent to all applicants. By the end of the first semester in residence, students propose a study plan developed in consultation with their advisor and in accordance with guidelines for specializations within the program.

Students choose from two tracks: teaching Chinese as a foreign language and interdisciplinary Chinese studies. Currently, the department is not accepting applicants for Hindi, Sanskrit, or Japanese tracks.

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Master of Arts in Asian civilizations, visit the UI General Catalog.

Teaching Chinese as a Second Language Track

Thesis Option for the Teaching Chinese as Second Language Track

Thesis Option
Students who have a GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or above at the end of the second semester on campus are eligible for the thesis option. Usually, students register for 3 semester hours for the thesis. Students who intend to pursue an advanced degree are encouraged to write a thesis. A thesis must be a research-oriented project.

Non-Thesis Option
Students who elect to pursue the MA without a thesis must submit a research-oriented paper or a material development project report to members of the MA committee sufficiently early for the committee to read and evaluate the materials before the end of the final semester on campus. The paper and the report can be originated from the term paper for CHIN:7401 and the project report for CHIN:7402 or CHIN:7403.

Interdisciplinary Track in Chinese Studies

Thesis for the Interdisciplinary Track

Students may complete the final three semester hours of the program by writing a thesis. Persons who do not select the thesis option fulfill the degree requirements by accumulating 30 semester hours in coursework. These students submit a copy of a seminar paper, including a bibliography, to the mentor and the advisor, who meet with the student to discuss and approve the final version.

Japanese Studies Track

NOTE: We are currently not accepting applicants for the Japanese Studies Track.

Thesis Option for the Japanese Studies Track

Thesis Option
Students who have a GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or above at the end of the second semester on campus are eligible for the thesis option. The student has to decide on a topic, identify an advisor, and acquire language proficiency and the necessary skills by the end of the first year of graduate study.

Seminar Paper Option
Students must submit two finished papers written for graduate courses to members of the MA committee sufficiently early for the committee to read and evaluate the papers before the end of the final semester on campus.

Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language Track

NOTE: We are currently not accepting applicants for the Japanese Studies Track.

Thesis Option for the Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language Track

Thesis
Students who have a GPA of 3.75 (out of 4.0) or above at the end of the second semester of coursework are eligible for the thesis option instead of the comprehensive exam. Those who intend to pursue an advanced degree are encouraged to write a thesis. A thesis must be a research-oriented project. Material development cannot count for a thesis.

Comprehensive Examination
Students who do not write a thesis must pass a comprehensive exam to receive the MA degree. The exam will cover the following subjects: Japanese pedagogy, structure of Japanese, as well as one topic selected by the student from the courses in the "Elective Courses in Asian Languages and Literature" category above. Students may choose to write a research paper for this area instead of taking an exam, subject to the advisor's approval.

Important Deadlines

Application Deadline: February 1st (for financial support); April 15th (for all other Fall admission applications); October 1st (for all other Spring admission applications)

Admission

Admission decisions are based on prior academic performance, letters of reference, and the applicant's statement about background and purpose. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College on the Graduate College website. For more information, see the Graduate Admissions Process page.