Japanese M.A. Program | Asian Languages & Literature

The Japanese Language & Literature M.A. Program has a choice of disciplinary concentration in literature or linguistics. We do not offer an MA program focusing on Japanese language study.

Specialization in Japanese Language and Literature

I. Admission

To be admitted to the program, applicants must satisfy the Graduate School’s Minimum Admission Requirements. Applicants are also expected to have 4 years of college-level training in Japanese language or the equivalent, as well as significant coursework in a relevant humanistic field.

II. Program Description

The graduate program in Japanese literature at the University of Washington is one of the largest and most dynamic in North America. With five graduate faculty, the program is strong in both modern and pre-modern literature, and provides training in primary source reading, textual analysis, and current approaches to Japanese literature and visual culture. Students who enter the program will work with a faculty adviser to design an individualized course of study that best suits their goals and needs. Anyone with a deep interest in Japanese language, literature, and culture is encouraged to apply.

III. Coursework & Credits

Students in the M.A. program must satisfy the degree requirements set by the Graduate School at the time of their graduation. The M.A. program requires a minimum of 45 credits at the 400-level or higher. At least 18 credits must be completed in numerically graded courses at the 400 and 500 level, and 18 credits at the 500 level and above. Credits may be earned through a combination of coursework and research. Each student will customize their course of study in consultation with their faculty adviser.

In addition to coursework and the general examinations, the M.A. degree requires students to submit original research in one of two ways:

as a thesis, in which case the student takes at least 36 course credits and 9 thesis credits, OR
in the form of two research papers that have been written either independently or as part of their coursework, in which case all 45 minimum credits will be course credits.

IV. M.A. General Examination

Students must pass two written examinations to receive an M.A. degree. Each is two hours in duration, one in pre-modern (pre-Meiji) literature, the other in modern literature and culture. These are intended to evaluate the student's general mastery of the respective areas. The student will meet with their faculty adviser at least one quarter prior to the examination in order to discuss necessary preparation.

V. To Apply

Application procedures are available online. Any logistical questions about application should be directed to the Academic Counselor in the Department office. Questions of an academic nature should be directed to the graduate faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest, or to the Japanese Program Coordinator. Limited amounts of financial support are available to students on a competitive basis. All applicants to the department are automatically considered for a recruitment fellowship. Prospective students with high proficiency in Japanese language are urged to apply for teaching assistantships simultaneously with their application to the program. All eligible applicants are especially encouraged to apply for FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies) awards. Details are available on the FLAS website.

VI. Admission to the Ph.D. program

The MA and PhD programs are separate and independent. Admission to the MA program does not guarantee admission to the PhD program. MA students who wish to proceed to the PhD program must file a Petition to Proceed no later than their final quarter as an MA student, and the petition must be approved prior to the MA degree being awarded. See department policy 2.5 and consult the Academic Counselor for more information.

Specialization in Japanese Language and Linguistics

I. Program Description

The Master of Arts Program in Japanese Language and Linguistics focuses on Japanese applied linguistics, including second language acquisition, and Japanese sociolinguistics. Each student works with a faculty adviser to design an individualized program of study that combines

Japanese linguistics courses taught in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature with
linguistics and language-related courses offered in the Departments of Linguistics, English, Anthropology, Psychology, Communication, and other language and literature departments.

Students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds who have strong academic interest in Japanese applied linguistics and sociolinguistics are encouraged to apply.

II. Admission

Application procedures are available online. Applicants must meet the minimum admissions requirements of the Graduate School. Additional program requirements for admission are:

Strong undergraduate preparation in social sciences, linguistics, or literature.
At least four years of college-level training in Japanese language; study, internship, or residence abroad in Japan is highly recommended.

In practice, students admitted to the Japanese linguistics M.A. program have strong undergraduate academic backgrounds as well as strong Japanese language skills. If a student is admitted who needs preparatory academic or language work, the student initially must work on compensating for such deficiencies by taking appropriate courses or studying abroad in Japan.

III. Coursework and Credits

The M.A. program requires a minimum of 45 credits at the 400-level or higher. These are earned through a combination of coursework and research. Of the 45 credits required for the degree, at least 18 credits of coursework must be completed in numerically graded courses at the 400 or 500 level, and 18 credits at the 500 level and above. Students who enter without previous preparation in linguistics require a program considerably in excess of the 45 credit minimum.

Foundational courses in Japanese linguistics include JAPAN 343, Japanese Language in Society, for which graduate credit is not given.

Some students may also need to take introductory courses from the Linguistics Department. Courses that count toward the graduate degree include 400-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses numbered 500 and above.

The Department regularly offers the following 400-level courses in Japanese linguistics:

JAPAN 441 The Acquisition of Japanese as a Second or Foreign Language
JAPAN 443 Topics in Japanese Sociolinguistics

Students whose undergraduate training has provided them with a background comparable to this may enter more advanced courses. Graduate seminars in Japanese linguistics (ASIAN 503, JAPAN 540) vary topically from year to year. Recent topics have included: Japanese Second Language Acquisition, Sociocultural Approaches to Second Language Acquisition, Japanese Applied Linguistics, and Formulaic Language in Second Language Acquisition, among others. Students may take independent study courses (ASIAN 600). The Department also offers training in the teaching of Japanese as a foreign language via ASIAN 510, Teaching Assistant Training Workshop.

IV. General Examinations

Each student is required to take two written examinations drawn from Japanese applied linguistics and sociolinguistics. Prior to the quarter in which the student plans to take the examinations, each student meets with their faculty adviser to discuss preparation for these examinations. As a part of this process, the student will usually be asked to compile a list of courses taken and readings completed.

V. Research

Along with coursework and general examinations, the program also has a research requirement. Students present their research either by submitting a thesis OR by submitting two research papers.

If submitting a thesis students take 9 credits of ASIAN 700 which counts toward the degree.
If submitting two research papers, they may be course seminar papers or papers completed during independent study.