A bachelor's degree with a major in Asian Studies; or
The Certificate in Asian Studies, awarded by CSULB or its
equivalent as evaluated by the Chair of the Department of Asian
and Asian American Studies. Equivalency will, normally, be
granted for work in Asia-related studies at CSULB and/or at
other academic institutions. Only courses with a substantive
Asian Studies content are acceptable; or
A bachelor's degree in one of the fields in social science,
humanities, or fine arts with 24 units of upper division Asia-related
courses. These courses must be comparable to those required
of a major in Asian Studies at this University. Deficiencies
will be determined by the graduate advisor after consultation
with the student and after study of transcript records. Students
whose undergraduate prerequisites are inadequate will be required
to fulfill these deficiencies before advancement to candidacy
and will receive unclassified graduate status until all deficiencies
are removed.
Advancement to candidacy is the next step after achieving Classified
Status and signifies approval of an accepted plan of study by the
Department of Asian and Asian American Studies and College of Liberal
Arts. The prerequisites to advancement to candidacy are:
Satisfaction of the general University requirements for
advancement to candidacy;
Completion of 6 or more of the required units (not including
language) with a minimum of 3.0 overall grade point average.
Approval of proposed program of study;
Satisfactory completion of the Writing Proficiency Examination.
Advancement to candidacy is to occur at least on semester or summer
session prior to the semester (session) in which the student expects
to graduate. For additional information concerning enrollment policies,
satisfactory progress, leaves of absence, etc., students should
consult the current University Catalog.
Requirements for the Masters
Degree in Asian Studies
In their first semester of work, students should complete
the Writing Proficiency Examination. The examination fee is
payable at the Business Office, and the test is administered
upon request at the Testing Office (Brotman Hall-126).
A minimum of 30 units of approved upper-division and graduate
courses, including Asian Studies 592 and 610. At least 18 units
must be in the 500-600 series composed of units earned at CSULB
in graduate courses, graduate seminars, directed research or
thesis work. Seminars may be repeated once, but no more than
six units total of Directed Studies, Readings, or Research
may be used to satisfy degree requirements. A minimum of four
and a maximum of six units of A/ST 698 is required for those
taking the thesis option.
A minimum of three upper-division units in each of two disciplines
of concentration must be taken preparatory to seminar work.
Students should take at least six units of 500-600 level work
in each of the two chosen disciplines of concentration. (N.B.:
Determination of the disciplinary status of any Asian Studies
or any other courses taken at CSULB or other academic institutions,
shall be at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor in consultation
with faculty, review of syllabi and reading lists, assessment
of transcripts, etc.)
A comprehensive written examination in each of the two disciplines
of concentration, or an original thesis produced in conformity
with University guidelines and regulations as outlined in the
current CSULB Catalog. Students must receive permission of
the Graduate Advisor, faulty advisor and prospective committee
members before being allowed to file for the thesis option.
Once selected, a student may not switch his/her option. Departmental
guidelines are available from the Graduate Advisor.
Six units or more (beyond the B.A. level) in Chinese or
Japanese or an Asian language approved by the Graduate Advisor.
Waiver of this requirement, either by transfer of credits from
another academic institution or by assessment of proficiency
by resident faculty, is at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor
of the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies.
