As a part of International and Area Studies, East Asian Studies focuses on three geographical areas: China, Korea, and Japan. Owing to the fascinating interplay of tradition and modernity that is characteristic of these areas, students receive a rich foundation in the languages, culture, history, and significant social institutions that define East Asia.
Washington University in St. Louis has trained East Asian specialists for nearly half a century. During that time, we have built a distinguished faculty and created innovative curricula offering undergraduate students an East Asian concentration to International & Area Studies majors, and graduate students a choice of three degree programs in East Asian studies - the Master of Arts (MA), the joint Juris Doctor/MA, and the dual Master of Business Administration/ MA.
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Law, and the Olin School of Business are nationally recognized centers of cross-disciplinary and international training. Our joint graduate degree programs in East Asian studies combine the resources of the three schools. Each program allows considerable latitude in designing a course of study appropriate to the student's interests and career goals. All three, however, emphasize advanced language proficiency and knowledge of East Asian history and culture. Each also has a core seminar required of all students, and expects substantial original research and writing.