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The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers an interdisciplinary graduate program in the literature, culture, history and languages of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet), with particular emphasis on critical methodology, comparative study and historical breadth. An array of East Asian courses in other areas –such as political science, sociology, anthropology, art, law, history and business –is also available, as are interdisciplinary programs with Religion, Comparative Literature and History. The department’s close ties with various East Asian institutions in New York City and abroad provide a stimulating cultural environment.

The C.V. Starr East Asian Library, with more than a half million volumes of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tibetan languages books, is among the largest East Asian library collections outside East Asia and one of the premier centers for East Asian research in the United States. The East Asian collection - which is particularly strong in literature, philosophy (especially Buddhism and neo-Confucianism), and history - is supported by more than 50,000 volumes of secondary materials in English and other European languages on all aspects of East Asia, past and present.

Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit 1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a Statement of Academic Purpose, a writing sample (a course paper, term paper, etc.) and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.