Degree Programs: Full-Time: Free-Standing M.A.
The M.A. in East Asian Regional Studies is designed for those wishing to focus on a social science approach to modern East Asia. The program provides interdisciplinary training (intensive exposure to the politics, international relations, modern history, culture and society of the region) with a country or area (China, Japan, Korea or Tibet) of focus. The program is tailored to meet the needs of individuals entering professional careers, mid-career professionals, students preparing for entry to doctoral programs, and those pursuing a professional degree, such as the J.D. or M.B.A., who want to gain regional expertise.
In addition to the regular curriculum, the experience of students in the M.A. program is enhanced by participation in the Weatherhead East Asian Institute's rich extracurricular programming for students across multiple schools at Columbia. These include symposia, a lecture series which brings in more than sixty outside speakers each year, career events, and language tables at which students have the opportunity to reinforce their language skills.
In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.