Our Graduate Programs
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers these unified EALC degrees: PhD in East Asian Languages and Cultures, Dual PhD in East Asian and Comparative Literatures, and MA in East Asian Languages and Cultures.
EALC consolidated our doctoral programs (Chinese Language and Literature, Japanese Language and Literature, dual degree in Chinese and Comparative Literature, dual degree in Japanese and Comparative Literature) into two umbrella degrees that allow students increased flexibility to specialize in the literature and culture of one East Asian linguistic tradition (Chinese, Japanese or Korean) OR to pursue transcultural or multi-disciplinary studies. The department also offers the MA in EALC.
Students who matriculated in FL22 or earlier may continue to follow the requirements of their current degree or change to the new degree with advisor approval. We are not accepting applications for the former degrees.
The East Asian Languages and Cultures Master’s program is a two-year MA designed to give students a dynamic and expansive engagement with East Asia. In addition to the option of concentrating on a single cultural area (China, Korea, or Japan) students can choose a transnational, transhistorical, and multidisciplinary pathway that encourages exploration across literature, history, media, and cultural studies. With its broad course offerings and individualized guidance, the program equips students with strong analytical skills, global cultural literacy, and the intellectual foundation needed for advanced PhD study as well as diverse career paths that value deep knowledge of East Asia and its global influences. Learn more about applying to the MA program.
Current WashU seniors may qualify for the Accelerated BA/Master's program.
The East Asian Library
Graduate students in EALC benefit from having a world-class East Asian studies library in the building next door. Pictured above, WashU's East Asian Library is one of the best places to study on campus. The Washington University Libraries began the regular purchases of major Chinese and Japanese materials in 1963. Housed in a beautiful, historic building, the collection includes 165,244 volumes of books and bound serials, including 105,431 volumes in Chinese, 57,603 volumes in Japanese, and 4,210 volumes in Korean, and 800 volumes in special collections.
