The M.A. program in East Asian Languages & Cultural Studies emphasizes advanced language training as the foundation for research on East Asian cultures. The philosophy of the M.A. program is to provide students with a solid foundation in one or more East Asian languages in addition to broad opportunities for cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary studies of East Asian traditions and modernities. Coursework concentrates on the humanities, including history, literature, religious studies, anthropology, linguistics and the arts, as well as social and cultural anthropology and sociology. Students progress through a sequence of mandatory core seminars that provide a shared foundation in key methodological and theoretical issues in the academic study of East Asia. Applicants to this M.A. degree program should have a grounding and a background, through studies or heritage speaking, of 2 years minimum (3 years preferred) in one of the core languages: either Chinese or Japanese. The graduation expectation is for students to have completed 3rd year modern, although a 4th year is highly recommended, as well as Classical Chinese and Japanese.

Please see ASIAN STUDIES for the Master's program. See EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES for the Doctoral program.

Adress
Mailing Address

Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies
University of California, Santa Barbara
Humanities and Social Sciences Building
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7075
(USA)

Phone

Department Phone Number
(805) 893-5478

Degree icon Degrees Offered
MA

Address iconDeadlines

Fall Admission Only:

  • December 10, 2025 (by 11:59 PM PST)

Requirements Icon

Requirements

  • Online application: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
  • Statement of Purpose, Personal History Statement, Resume or CV, and Writing Sample (submitted in the online application)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submitted online)
  • English Language Exam Scores (if applicable): TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) total score of 80, or IELTS Overall Band score of 7, or Duolingo English Test total score of 120, or higher
  • Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.
Emphases
 

East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies

Specializations
 

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