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The Program
Asian Languages and Literatures at UMass Amherst offers a comprehensive course of studies leading to the Master of Arts degree in Chinese. The principal focus of the program is practical training, with an emphasis on the development of advanced linguistic skills that will enhance future work in translation, interpretation, teaching, journalism, business or government. For those who intend to go on to future graduate study, the curriculum is flexible enough to allow emphasis on more traditional literary or cultural studies.
Admission
Students entering the program are expected to have advanced level competency in Chinese language, and to have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with an undergraduate major in Chinese (or its equivalent) before matriculation with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall (on a 4.0 scale). Students whose preparation is deficient in certain areas may be required to do remedial work after admission to the program. Such work will not be counted toward the degree. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants, including foreign applicants. The Graduate School requires all applicants whose native language is not English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete at least 30 semester credits of course work and 6 credits of Master's Thesis. Up to 6 credits of appropriate course work at the graduate level from other institutions may be accepted with the approval of the graduate committee. It is expected that most suitably prepared students will be able to finish all requirements for the degree within two academic years. For students emphasizing linguistics, Chinese 576 and 577 are required. For those emphasizing classical literature, Chinese 552, 555 and 556 are required. For those emphasizing modern literature, Chinese 526 and 527 are required. Chinese 580 is required for all teaching assistants.
Before starting the thesis the student must pass a general examination, not necessarily limited to the thesis topic. The examination will be administered by a committee appointed by the graduate advisor.
The Program
Asian Languages and Literatures—a unit within the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at UMass Amherst—offers a course of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Japanese. There are two principal foci of our program: one is the study of Japanese literature and/or culture, and the second is the acquisition of practical language skills to enhance future work in such fields as translation, interpretation, teaching, journalism, business or government.
Admission
Our entering class averages 3-5 students each year. The students have diverse backgrounds. The University of Massachusetts does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, political beliefs and affiliations, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Please click here to see our admission guidelines and other information useful for prospective students.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete at least thirty semester credits of course work plus a master’s thesis (six credits). Up to six credits of appropriate course work at the graduate level from other institutions may be accepted with the approval of the graduate committee. It is expected that most suitably prepared students will be able to finish all requirements for the degree within two academic years.
© 2011. Department of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures
College of Humanities & Fine Arts
University of Massachusetts Amherst • Amherst, MA 01003