SIPA East Asia Specialization

The East Asia specialization provides students with interdisciplinary training in politics, international relations, modern history, culture, and/or society of the region. Students have the option of choosing one of two tracks.

Requirements for the East Asia Regional Track:

  • Complete 3 courses on East, Southeast, or Inner Asia for a minimum total of 9 credits (all courses must be taken for a grade)
  • Courses must be drawn from at least two different social science disciplines (determined based on the faculty's area of expertise)
  • Courses must significantly cover at least two different countries/regions
  • Language study courses cannot be counted towards the East Asian regional specialization

Please see the Institute's graduate course bulletins for a list of approved courses. 

The Foreign Language Track requires:

  • Complete 3 courses for a minimum total of 9 credits (all courses must be taken for a grade)
  • 2 courses must be intermediate- or advanced-level language courses in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, or Vietnamese
  • 1 course must be an approved regional course in a region that matches the language courses
  • Students must earn minimum grades required by the specific foreign language program in order to receive credit

Please see the Institute's graduate course bulletins for a list of approved courses.