The East Asian Studies at Duke University is a Master program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Durham , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 2 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on January 10, 2027.

About Master of East Asian Studies

Duke's East Asian Studies program offers comprehensive coverage of East Asian politics, societies, history, and cultures, with particular strengths in literature; modern history; comparative history and culture; anthropology; film, media and visual studies; comparative studies of capitalism; and religious studies. Research on East Asia at Duke is supported by extensive library holdings managed by subject librarians for China, Japan and Korea. Duke also has close ties with Asian Studies faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and students can receive credit for courses at either institution. The MA in East Asian Studies provides rigorous interdisciplinary training for students seeking careers in academia or professional fields that require regional specialization. The program introduces key area studies methodologies while providing flexibility for students to specialize in specific modes of inquiry (students with a specific interest in humanities should consider applying to the Critical Asian Humanities program). MA students have the benefit of developing individual research projects through working closely with a faculty advisor. The culmination of the degree results in a substantial and original academic work, either in the form of an MA thesis or two revised research papers, as well as competency in at least one regional language. The MA degree program is housed in the Asian/Pacific Studies Institute (APSI), which is the focal point for research and teaching on East Asia at Duke. APSI, founded in 1981, has fostered Dukeâ€™s strong intellectual engagement with the region for decades. The institute maintains a robust schedule of events on campus including an annual APSI Speaker Series, Cine-East Film Series, international conferences and forums for graduate students to share their work. APSI also regularly hosts visiting scholars from East Asia and administers the Duke Study in China intensive language program in Beijing. MA students are an integral part of the intellectual and social fabric that forms the APSI community. Requirements The MA in East Asian Studies offers students the flexibility to choose either to write an official MA thesis or revise and submit two research papers originally developed during coursework to meet milestone requirements for the degree. Students who chose the MA thesis option are required to take 10 graduate-level courses including 6 listed courses with a focus on East Asia, 2 independent studies with a thesis advisor and 2 electives. Those who select the research paper option will take 10 graduate-level courses including 8 listed courses with a focus on East Asia and 2 electives. Courses must be from two or more programs or departments. Students selecting either option must complete an oral defense before an examination committee of three or more members. All students must also demonstrate proficiency in an East Asian language at the 3rd-year collegiate level or higher. Graduate Certificate in East Asian Studies The Asian/Pacific Studies Institute offers current graduate students at Duke the opportunity to deepen their understanding of East Asia by pursuing a course of study leading to the Graduate Certificate in East Asian Studies. The certificate demonstrates that a student has completed significant interdisciplinary coursework relating to the region and has attained proficiency in at least one East Asian regional language. Graduate students enrolled in Dukeâ€™s graduate and professional schools are eligible to receive the certificate, provided they meet the following academic requirements: Students must complete four courses (12 credit hours) from an approved list of courses in East Asian studies drawn from at least two different departments or programs. Students must also demonstrate second-year collegiate-level (or higher) proficiency in an East Asian regional language, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Successful completion of the certificate requirements will result in a notation on the studentâ€™s transcript. For more details, including faculty bios and course listings, please visit the APSI website: https://asianpacific.duke.edu

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of East Asian Studies at Duke University

Entry Requirements

Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
Statement of Purpose: Required
Writing Sample: Required
RÃ©sumÃ©: Required
GRE Scores: GRE General Required
English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English
*test waiver may apply for some applicants
GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 90

English Program Requirements

If your first language is not English, you must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or the Duolingo English Test.

Fee Information

Application Fee 95