Option 1: MA through Coursework
For the MA through Coursework, students must successfully pass 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in non-language graduate level courses. As the majority of graduate courses are worth 0.5 FCE, for the MA through Coursework students usually have to complete 8 courses. Some graduate courses in other departments are worth 1.0 FCE, which would reduce the total number of courses.
At least 2.0 FCEs must be in East Asian Studies and include EAS 2020H Critical Approaches to East Asia. A maximum of 2.0 FCEs may be taken in other departments.
An average course load per semester is 2-3 courses. The MA through Coursework can be completed in one year (3 sessions, full time), but may more likely require 4 sessions because not many graduate courses are offered in the summer session.
Courses are selected in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate.
Option 2: MA with Major Research Paper (MRP)
For the MA with Major Research Paper, students must successfully pass 3.0 FCEs in non-language courses. This is usually fulfilled through 6 graduate level courses (worth 0.5 FCE each).
At least 1.5 FCEs must be in East Asian Studies courses and include EAS 2020H Critical Approaches to East Asia. A maximum of 1.5 FCEs may be taken in other departments.
Courses are selected in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate.
The MRP (EAS1150Y) counts as 1.0 FCE. Students who wish to write an MRP must, with the help of the Associate Chair, Graduate, identify a supervisor from among East Asian Studies faculty and receive their agreement to supervise by the end of February of the first year at the latest.
The MRP is a research paper that is approximately 40-60 pages in length and deals substantially with sources in East Asian languages. The MRP is graded (letter grade).
Option 3: MA with Thesis
For the MA with Thesis, students must successfully pass 3.0 FCEs in non-language courses. This is usually fulfilled through 6 graduate level courses (worth 0.5 FCE each). At least 1.5 FCEs must be in East Asian Studies courses and include EAS 2020H Critical Approaches to East Asia. A maximum of 1.5 FCEs may be taken in other departments. Courses are selected in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate.
The thesis (EAS1250Y) counts as 1.0 FCE. Students who wish to write a thesis must, with the help of the Associate Chair, Graduate, identify a thesis supervisor from among East Asian Studies faculty and receive their agreement to supervise by the end of February of the first year at the latest.
The East Asian Studies MA thesis is written in close consultation with the supervisor. It is approximately 60-80 pages in length and deals substantially with sources in East Asian languages. The supervisor will decide if the thesis is deemed worthy of acceptance and will recommend conferral of the MA degree to the Associate Chair, Graduate. Theses are graded as CR/NCR; they do not receive a letter grade. The final thesis is uploaded to a public thesis repository.