Modality
On Campus
Program URL
https://sfs.georgetown.edu/ma-asian-studies/
The Asian Studies Program provides students with the necessary skills to meet the demands of policy, business, and scholarship in a globalizing Asia. The program provides students with a unique combination of traditional area studies, functional training, and strategic insights that will enhance the marketability of their degree, whether they pursue employment or further graduate study after completing the program. The degree is enriched by opportunities for internships in Washington DC in government, NGOs, think tanks, and the private sector. On campus, students enjoy access to a range of high-level visitors to Washington through programs such as the Georgetown Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues, the Georgetown India Initiative, the Asia-in-Depth Lecture Series, and various programmatic events.
Academic Policies
Students in Asian Studies program are expected to comply with Graduate Academic Regulations.
Program Requirements
The M.A. in Asian Studies degree consists of 36 credits. Students must complete 9 credits towards the core course requirements, 9 credits towards the concentration courses, and 18 credits of electives which can be used towards a second concentration, a certificate program, or optional M.A. thesis. Students must also complete language proficiency in an Asian language, complete an internship requirement, and earn a 3.0 GPA to graduate.
Course Distribution
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ASST 5110 | Intl Pol Econ: Asia | 3 |
| ASST 6680 | Theory/Policy in Asia | 3 |
| 3 |
| 18 |
| 1 | 9 |
| 2 | |
| Total Credits | 36 |
Language Requirement
Students must have at least one year of university level language training in an Asian language with a grade of B or better in order to enter the program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in an Asian language at the completion of the program through one of the following options:
-
Obtain a grade of B+ or higher in an advanced language course equivalent to third year at Georgetown or a comparable language program during their time in the Asian Studies Program.
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Obtain a grade of proficiency in U.S. Government or equivalent language testing while a graduate student at Georgetown
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Pass a language proficiency test at Georgetown University
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Successful completion of other testing approved by the Director of Asian Studies and the Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Culture.
Optional Thesis
Students have the option of writing a Master’s thesis under the supervision of a faculty member of the Asian Studies Program. The primary means by which students can pursue the thesis option is as part of the research seminar course, ASST 7900
ASST 7900ASST 7900ASST 7900ASST 7900: Thesis Seminar. Proper revision and approval of the paper for this class may be submitted in the third semester as fulfilling the thesis requirement. Students may also opt to write a thesis through an independent tutorial with a faculty mentor.
If this option is exercised, students are responsible for finding a faculty member willing to undertake an independent study tutorial to advise the student; preparing a syllabus; and establishing regular meetings with the faculty member throughout the semester of research. In ASST 7900
ASST 7900ASST 7900ASST 7900ASST 7900 or in the independent tutorial, the thesis must achieve a B+ or better grade in order to fulfill the thesis requirement. The revised and finished thesis must be approved by the Director of Asian Studies and deposited with the Director of Academic Programs & Operations by the end of the student’s third semester or earlier.
