40 Herter Hall Box 39312
161 Presidents Drive
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9312
Email: asianlan@asianlan.umass.edu
Phone: 413-545-0886

Programs:

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).

The Program
Asian Languages and Literatures at UMass Amherst offers a comprehensive introduction to the literature and culture of Japan leading to the Master of Arts degree in Japanese. The faculty’s diverse research specialties allow student to focus on a wide range of topics and periods, from the classical era to contemporary Japan. from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Students are encouraged to continue developing their linguistic skills leading to opportunities for future careers in such fields as translation, journalism, business, government….For those interested an  academic career, the curriculum is flexible enough to allow emphasis on more traditional and theoretical studies.

Admission
Students entering the program should have an advanced level competency in Japanese language, and are expected to have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese (or related field) ) before matriculation with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of  at 3.200 in the major and 3.000 overall (on a 4.000 scale). Applicants are required to have taken the Graduate Record Examination before applying, or to take it at the earliest opportunity thereafter.  The Graduate School requires all applicants whose native language is not English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Faculty/Focuses:  Language and Literature

GPA/GRE:  See above “Admissions”