East Asian Library at WashU

Graduate Program

Our Graduate Programs

In fall 2022, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures will accept applications for the new unified EALC degrees: PhD in East Asian Languages and Cultures, Joint PhD in East Asian and Comparative Literatures, and MA in East Asian Languages and Cultures.

New PhD and MA degree requirements

EALC has consolidated our existing doctoral programs (Chinese Language and Literature, Japanese Language and Literature, joint degree in Chinese and Comparative Literature, joint degree in Japanese and Comparative Literature) into two umbrella degrees that will 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 Chinese, Japanese, and East Asian Studies master's degrees are consolidated in the EALC MA.

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.

Current WashU seniors may qualify for the Accelerated AB/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.

ealc library

East Asian Languages and Cultures Program

Our degree offers 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.

EALC PhD and MA Requirements

applying to our programs

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PhD Certificate Programs

Available to doctoral students, five graduate certificate programs offered in conjunction with other departments and programs allow students to enhance their ability to teach broadly and the interdisciplinary quality of their research. Students pursuing a certificate must consult the departments and advisers about credit sharing between the programs. (Certificate processing is handled by the certificate department/program.)

Previous Graduate Degrees

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Have questions? Reach out to Krystel Mowery for more information.

Contact Krystel Mowery