M.A. in Asian Studies

M.A. Admissions Requirements

Applications to the Master of Arts in Asian Studies Program must be made through the FIU University Graduate School (UGS) online portal. Applicants must also submit the following materials, as required by UGS:

1. Statement of Purpose
2. One Letter of Recommendation
3. Transcripts from previous accredited institution(s)

As required by the Asian Studies Program, applicants must meet one of the following minimum requirements for admission to the MAAS program:

1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. 3.2 GPA in undergraduate degree program;
3. 3.0 GPA in undergraduate degree program with appropriate language or study abroad background as determined by examination or evaluated by the program faculty committee.
4. A Master’s degree in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited institution;

NOTE: The above admission requirements are minimums and not all students meeting them are assured admission. The GRE is not required.

International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Please review the following items to complete the application:

• Complete FIU Graduate School on-line application.
• Official transcripts from all the universities attended (Note: Official certified translations are required for foreign transcripts where the language is not English)
• One letter of recommendation from a college or university professor.
• Statement of purpose (750 words).
• Certified official proof of diploma/degree if undergraduate degree is earned from a foreign institution. Certified translations are also required if the original language is not English.

Please note: If you did not earn a higher education degree (two year or four year institution) from one of http://gradschool.fiu.edu/toefl-exempt-countries/, proof of high school diploma earned in the U.S. or TOEFL/IELTS scores are required.

In addition, foreign students must also submit:

• Official scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, if a higher education degree (two year or four year) is earned in one of these countries, proof of English language ability is not necessary. We accept any one of the following:
  • 80 internet-based TOEFL
  • 6.5 overall on the IELTS
  • 550 paper and pencil TOEFL
  • 213 computer-based TOEFL
• Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form
• Bank Letter
• Sponsor Letter (Waived if you are sponsoring yourself)
• Certified translation of foreign transcripts, where the language is not English
• Certified official proof of diploma/degree if undergraduate degree is earned from a foreign institution. Certified translations are also required if the original language is not English.

NOTE: International Students should visit the International Student and Scholar Services at ISSS as well as the University Graduate School for important guidelines: UGS.

Send official transcripts electronically or via mail to:

Florida International University
Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 659004
Miami, FL 33265-9004

U.S. Students Deadlines

• June 1 at 5:00pm EST for fall semester
• October 1 at 5:00pm EST for spring semester

International Students Deadlines

• Click here for important deadlines and procedures: https:/internationaladmissions.fiu.edugraduate/

Asian Studies Graduate Admissions Committee

Dr. Steven Heine, Director of Asian Studies, Professor of Religious Studies and History, heines@fiu.edu

After Submitting Your Application

After submitting your application to Graduate Admissions, all inquiries about your application, confirmation of arrival of documents, etc. should be directed towards the Asian Studies Program by phone (305) 348-1914 or email asian@fiu.edu.

For Financial Aid questions, or to check graduate tuition & fees, please refer to the FIU OneStop site. For International Students, please review the options available through the ISSS financial resources site.

Continuation Policy

Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 throughout their studies in order to continue in the program. Students who fail to maintain the minimum overall GPA of 3.2 or who demonstrate academic misconduct (such as cheating or plagiarism) may not be eligible to continue in the program. Performance will be evaluated at the end of every semester, and students will be informed if they are on probation. A probation status can only be maintained for one semester before a final decision is reached by the Asian Studies Graduate Committee.

M.A. Program Requirements

MAAS offers three exit options: Non-Thesis Master Essay (30 credits), Non-Thesis Research Essay plus Self-Study (30 credits), or Thesis (30 credits)

• Requirement Checklist

Core Coursework (9 credits)

Please select three courses from the following list to satisfy the Core Coursework requirement.*

• ASN 5315 Topics in Modern Asia
• ASN 5050 Methods in Asian Studies
• ASN 5815 Studies of East Asian Texts
• SYD 6901 Cities in Asia
• ASN 5213 Asian Studies Colloquium
• ASN 5910 Independent Research in Asian Studies
• ASN 6930 Seminar in Asian Studies
• ASN 6940 Internship in Asian Studies

Core Concentration Coursework (15 credits)

Students must complete 15 credits of additional coursework relevant to their research topic. Students may receive credit through independent study, study abroad, or Internship approved by the program advisor.

An additional research methods course in a discipline related to the student’s primary area of study may be taken as an elective, such as:

• HIS 6059 Historical Methods
• INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations
• POS 5706 Research Methodology
• RLG 6013 Modern Analysis of Religion
• RLG 6935 Seminar in Sacred Texts
• SYA 6305 Research Methods I
• or equivalent

Students may take up to 6 credits in independent studies or internship coursework.

Master's Degree Exit Options

• Option A: Thesis (6 credits)
  • a. ASN 6972 Master's Thesis (6 credits)
  • b. 70 pages of research required

• Option B: Non-Thesis Master's Essay/Non-Thesis Research Essay plus Self-Study (6 credits):
  • a. ASN 6912 Master's Essay (3 credits) & Area Studies Courses (3 credits)
  • b. 40 pages of research required

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE M.A NON-THESIS/THESIS REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE NOTE - To pursue the Thesis option, approval from the Program Director is required. Students are also expected to submit all necessary paperwork to Asian Studies, SIPA, and UGS on a timely manner. Moreover, students are responsible for finding qualified faculty who will agree to form part of their thesis committee.

Click here to view the MAAS Graduate Handbook.

Note about Language Requirements: Proficiency in an Asian language may be required if relevant to thesis project. Relevance will be determined by the thesis committee.

Students must take full responsibility to ensure the completion of all requirements. Please keep in mind that graduate students MUST be enrolled in at least one credit of graduate coursework in the semester in which they plan to graduate. If the student is completing the Thesis Option they must be enrolled in at least one Thesis credit in the semester in which they plan to graduate. Failure to enroll in the appropriate credit may result in the postponement of graduation.

To set up an appointment for advising, please contact Asian Studies by phone at 305-348-1914 or by e-mail: asian@fiu.edu.

If you would like to track your progress in the M.A. Program, a checklist for degree progress is available at the Asian Studies office or online.

A limited number of teaching assistantships and tuition waivers may be available for students with outstanding credentials (i.e. high GPA, high GRE score, and/or experience in Asia or research ability in an Asian language). Tuition is waived for the Fall and Spring semesters only (but fees have to be paid separately by the student). This is not available during the Summer term. Students who receive teaching assistantships must be enrolled full-time in the Fall and Spring terms. Continuing students may apply for vacated assistantships as they become available.

Graduate students receiving an assistantship are assigned to faculty members for 20 hours per week as teaching assistants. New assistants must attend TA Orientation at the beginning of the school year. Assistantships are renewable, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Students receiving financial assistance may not carry incomplete grades for more than one semester. Assistants are expected to be full-time students, not otherwise employed. Foreign students who receive assistantships will need a Social Security number in order to receive their stipends.

Also, visit the Graduate Studies website for other scholarships and waivers at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/students/funding/.

Continuation Policy

Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 throughout their studies in order to continue in the program. Students who fail to maintain the minimum overall GPA of 3.2 or who demonstrate academic misconduct (such as cheating or plagiarism) may not be eligible to continue in the program. Performance will be evaluated at the end of every semester, and students will be informed if they are on probation. A probation status can only be maintained for one semester before a final decision is reached by the Asian Studies Graduate Committee.