All students choose to specialize in one of the following regions: China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, or Vietnam.
Language proficiency equivalent to having completed the third-year level of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or second-year level of Tibetan or Vietnamese in accordance with the region of specialization. The language requirement may be met by passing Columbia’s language placement examination or through coursework at Columbia.
Yearlong MARSEA core seminar (GR6220: MARSEA Core Seminar I – Fall and GR6221: MARSEA Core Seminar II – Spring).
Master’s thesis dealing substantially with the region of specialization.
One graduate-level modern history course on the region of specialization. Comparable work may be substituted with permission from MARSEA’s Academic Director.
Four graduate-level regional courses selected from at least two different fields: at least one of the three courses must focus on an Asia Pacific region or sub-region other than one’s region of specialization. These courses must include at least one colloquia and/or seminar. One language course at the fourth-year level or above may be counted towards this requirement. Courses dealing with the Asia Pacific as a whole or dealing with relations between the Asia Pacific and other regions (such as the U.S.) may also be taken to fulfill this requirement.
One graduate-level elective course, which may focus on topics outside of East Asia.
All students must complete 30 credits and two Resident Units (the GSAS equivalent of two full-time semesters).
