Our M.A. Programs in International Studies

M.A. – Japan Studies

This program information is for M.A. students who started this program in Autumn 2024 or before.

This M.A. degree program will be discontinued at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year and will be updated into a new degree program: M.A., East Asia Studies. The new degree combines China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan Studies programs. 

The M.A. in Japan Studies  is an interdisciplinary program that provides coursework and research opportunities about Japan primarily through the social sciences and history.  The core curriculum is offered by Japan faculty in the Jackson School and is supplemented by Japanese language coursework and numerous elective courses in Political Science, History, Law, Business, Architecture, Literature, Linguistics, Art, and Art History. This opportunity for well-rounded study is enhanced by specialized training in areas of individual interest, allowing students to develop their academic skills and to pursue their professional goals.

The MAIS degree in Japan Studies gives students in-depth knowledge of many facets of Japan and familiarity with Japanese government, economies, history, and society. Coursework helps prepare students for careers in business, government, communications, secondary-school teaching, and a variety of other professional fields. The Japan Studies Master’s program is specifically designed for students with B.A.s who need language and interdisciplinary training on Japan to pursue their career goals, as well as for preparation for Ph.D. work in an academic discipline involving Japan for students who have had little or no training on Japan or in the language. The MAIS in Japan Studies may also be pursued concurrently with a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Public Affairs. Japan Studies MAIS students are encouraged to explore the QUAL Initiative to expand qualitative research design and methods in their graduate training.

Because of the crucial importance of language skills in understanding Japan, students in the Japan Studies program are strongly encouraged to study Japanese to as advanced a level as possible.

Variety and depth are added to regular coursework by Japan Colloquia and by occasional special symposia, where recent research findings and discussions of significant contemporary topics are presented by specialists from the United States, Japan and elsewhere. The program strives to offer students the opportunity to study all aspects of Japan—through the number and variety of courses offered, the research activities of faculty members, and non-classroom events with guest speakers. These contribute further to the intellectual environment of the program, giving students the benefit of learning about research done by scholars at the forefront of the Japan field.

The University of Washington has a long-standing commitment to the study of Japan, and its programs on East Asia are consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Japan-related curricula are offered in many of the University’s departments and professional schools. Similarly active programs focusing on other world regions make the University of Washington a rich environment for study and enable students to gain a comparative international perspective.

– Robert Pekkanen, Graduate Program Coordinator – JSIS Japan

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted by January 31 for admittance to the autumn quarter cohort. We only accept students into the M.A. program during autumn quarter.

You can find information about the application requirements and process on our website.

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Visit the Center for Japanese Studies for the latest information, news and events on Japan in the Pacific Northwest.

Credit: Bernard Gagnon

2025-2026 HANDBOOK

Our handbook serves as a compilation of UW and Jackson School resources for students and a reference guide containing the school’s academic requirements, deadlines, policies, and procedures. You are responsible for knowing and adhering to the contents of this handbook. Any questions about this handbook can be directed to the appropriate adviser as listed in the general advising section.

We encourage you to seek out and take full advantage of the opportunities all over the UW campus as well.

Information about advising, M.A. degree requirements, curriculum requirements, language requirement, capstone research paper(s), and a timeline to finish the degree in 1 or 2 years is included below.

  1. General Advising
  2. M.A. Degree Requirements
  3. Course of Study
  4. Capstone Research Paper(s) and Oral Exam
  5. Prerequisites and Language Proficiency
  6. Model Timeline for Completing the Degree

In addition, you will find more information about policies, procedures and other resources related to the program on the following webpages:

  1. Concurrent Degrees
  2. Graduate Certificates
  3. Tuition & Funding
  4. UW Academic Policies
  5. Graduation Processes
  6. Other Resources

GENERAL ADVISING

The Jackson School staff and faculty offer a variety of support and guidance to prospective and current students.

Professor Robert Pekkanen is the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) for our M.A. in Japan Studies. As the GPC, Dr. Pekkanen serves as the academic adviser for the program. Please meet with him at least once per year to review your course of study and request any necessary approvals required. After you have formed your supervisory committee in your second year, your committee chair also advises you. Please see the section titled supervisory committee for more information on your committee’s role, duties, and your responsibility to it.

Jesús Hidalgo is the Graduate Program Adviser (GPA) for all our graduate programs. He will advise you regarding degree requirements, academic planning, policies and procedures, and graduation. Please meet with him at least once per year to ensure you are on track to graduate. >

The adviser-student relationship implies mutual responsibility. Faculty and staff advisers have office hours over Zoom and in person, where you can drop by to talk, and they may also be available by appointment at other times. Students are responsible for seeking out faculty and staff either during office hours or by making appointments. Please be proactive about your advising and ask early for the assistance that you need.

If you find yourself struggling academically, meet with the GPC or GPA to discuss your options.

Other advisers

  • Paul Carrington (Associate Director, Division 1 East Asia): pauldc@uw.edu; THO 406. Language Programs, Fellowships Opportunities
  • Ellen Eskenazi (Program and Operations Specialist): esky@uw.edu; THO 302-A. Language Programs; Fellowships; Community Outreach
  • Azusa Tanaka (Japan Studies Librarian): Suzzallo Library. Japan Studies collections; Research
  • TBD (Assistant Director of Student Services): jsisjobs@uw.edu or jsisalum@uw.edu; THO 111A. Career Services; JSIS 497 Internship Course; Alumni Relations
  • Office of Academic Services: jsisoas@uw.edu for Course Registration & General Inquiries; & Additional Advising contact: jsisadv@uw.edu (THO 111)

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M.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students receive the M.A. degree when they have fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Complete curriculum requirements, including thirty-six credits of graduate level work (400-level classes and above,of which eighteen credits must be 500-level and above), not including language classes;
  2. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above;
  3. Achieve second-year level proficiency in Japanese;
  4. Complete either an essay of distinction and present in Japan Colloquium or two article-length papers under faculty supervision;
  5. Pass the oral exam; and
  6. Comply with the rules and regulations of the UW Graduate School.

All degree requirements must be met within six years of the start of your program. This time limit includes leaves of absence. Under extraordinary circumstances, your GPC and GPA may agree to extend this limit.

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COURSE OF STUDY

A summary of the curriculum is provided below.

JSIS A 555 Introduction to Modern Japanese Studies (5 credits) Introduction to the study of Japan, analysis of primary and secondary materials, and writing.

1 modern Japanese history course (5 cr.) You can choose one of the following classes:

  • JSIS A 423 Origins of Modern Japan
  • JSIS A 424 Japan Since the Early 20th Century
  • JSIS 584 Special Topics: Modern Japanese History

You must take forty-two (42) additional credits to complete your degree. Twenty-five of these credits must come from Core Courses (see Appendix A) and the remaining seventeen credits can come from either Core Courses or Electives (see Appendix B).

While most of your work should focus on Japan, you may take a maximum of two courses not specifically focused on Japan for the purposes of fulfilling specific educational or professional objectives, or if these courses will contribute to understanding more fully an issue for your essay or one of the final papers.

For instance, those planning to pursue a Ph.D. may find that the departments they wish to enter have prerequisites not related to Japan that they must fulfill. Additionally, students pursuing non-university careers may determine that coursework from one of the departments or schools relevant to their career objectives (e.g., Public Affairs, Communication, Business Administration, Education, etc.) will be useful. In both cases, students should consult advisers from the appropriate schools or departments well in advance.

Students adopting this option must obtain written approval from the GPC. These courses must be 400-level or higher.

**You must cc the GPA on all approval emails with the GPC to ensure your approvals are noted in your academic record.

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CAPSTONE RESEARCH PAPER(S) AND ORAL EXAM

Students have the option of completing either an essay of distinction or two separate research papers. Each student must form a supervisory committee to advise them during their work, and assess their work. You should consult what option you would like to select with the GPC initially and then regularly with your supervisory committee members for guidance in research and writing.

Essay of distinction

This option is designed for students who wish to undertake a major research project that involves extensive use of primary, Japanese-language sources, and presents a clear research question and hypothesis.

An essay of distinction is typically about 15,000 words long (not including notes, bibliography, etc.)

If you elect to write an essay of distinction, you are required to present your essay at a Japan Colloquium event early in your final quarter. This feedback will help you in preparing the final draft of your essay. You will be consulted in scheduling this presentation.

Two research papers

Alternatively, students may choose to write two research papers expanding on papers written for their seminar classes. Each research paper is typically about 8,000 words long (not including notes, bibliography, etc.) and must be revised to incorporate comments from the instructor on the original versions.

If you select this option, your supervisory committee members will be the two faculty for whom you wrote your original seminar papers. They must both be JSIS Japan faculty.

ORAL EXAM

The final oral exam is based on the thesis or two research papers, any implications of your topic(s), and its relevance to global trends. All exams are different and you should ask your committee about your exam specifically. Below is an example of how the exam may be structured.

The oral exam is to be scheduled no earlier than one week after the research paper(s) have been submitted to the committee members. The discussion in the oral exam will be based on your research paper(s). All exams are different and you should ask your committee about your exam specifically. Below is an example of how the exam may be structured.

At the start of the exam, students are asked to step out of the exam room, while the committee members deliberate about the student’s candidacy and the line of questioning they will pursue. Students are expected to prepare a brief, ten to twenty minute, presentation about their research projects. Following these deliberations, committee members will ask the student questions for about forty-five to sixty minutes. The student will then leave the room while the committee deliberates on the results of the oral exam. Following their second deliberation, the chair will invite the student back to the exam room to inform them of the results of their exam.

You will take your oral exam with your supervisory committee during the quarter you intend to graduate.

Committee members may award distinction to students with outstanding performance in their written work (essay or two papers) as well as in their oral exam. The following two categories of distinction will be awarded to students for their overall body of work and with unanimous consent of all committee members.

  • High Pass: A High Pass will be awarded to students who (1) showed overall mastery of material in their thesis or, whose two papers exhibit a close to publishable quality; and (2) delivered an impressive performance during their oral exam that showed substantial theoretical and empirical knowledge of their fields of study.
  • Honors: Honors will be awarded to students who (1) showed excellent mastery of material in their thesis or, whose two papers are of publishable quality; and (2) delivered an outstanding performance during their oral exam that showed excellent and broadly situated theoretical as well as empirical knowledge of their respective fields of study in the context of international affairs.

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PREREQUISITES & LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Language proficiency is not required for admission.

Language study is an essential part of the program. Courses in Japanese language and literature are offered by the Department of Asian Languages and Literature (AL&L). Students must attain competency in the Japanese language through at least the second-year level. This competency may be demonstrated either by results from the UW proficiency test or through coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to take language throughout their studies at the University of Washington. Those who enter the program with proficiency beyond the second-year level should continue language study through classes in third-, fourth-, and fifth-year and classical Japanese, or a variety of literature courses based on Japanese-language texts. Summer courses in intensive language training are offered at lower levels only.

Before you register for Japanese, please follow the AL&L Placement procedures. You may need to take a placement text or a placement interview.

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MODEL TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING DEGREE IN TWO YEARS

This timeline is for students who have no prior training in a language. It is intended to be a guideline and model for courses taken as a full-time M.A. student, not a required path for all students. It is also different than the path concurrent students will take.

YEAR 1

  • Autumn (15 credits: 10 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Japanese Year 101 (5 cr)
    • JSIS A 555 (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
  • Winter (15 credits: 10 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Korean Year 102 (5 cr)
    • Japanese History Elective (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
  • Spring (15 credits: 10 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Korean Year 103 (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)

YEAR 2:

  • Autumn (15 credits: 10 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Japanese Year 201 (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
  • Winter (15 credits: 10 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Korean Year 202 (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)
  • Spring (10 credits: 5 graduate cr + 5 language cr):
    • Japanese Year 203 (5 cr)
    • Relevant Seminar (5 cr)

* If approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator, up to five (5) 400-level credits taken at the Jackson School as an undergraduate student can be counted towards the 39 graduate credits you have to accumulate for your M.A. degree.

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HANDBOOKS

M.A. in Japan Studies Handbook 2023-24

M.A. in Japan Studies Handbook 2022-23

AFFILIATED CENTERS

The Jackson School houses 14 outreach centers. These centers provide opportunities for educators, students, and the community to learn about the world. Some of them have specific scholarship opportunities and other resources that may be useful. Here are those you might find particularly useful:

JAPAN STUDIES PROGRAM EAST ASIA CENTER CHINA STUDIES PROGRAM CENTER FOR KOREA STUDIES Taiwan Studies Program

LIBRARY FACILITIES

The Japanese collection at the UW’s Tateuchi East Asia Library consists of over 168,829 volumes, plus a large collection of audio visual material, periodicals, graphical materials, and e-resources such as online databases. The library continues to emphasize the acquisition of materials in traditional formats while at the same time expanding the acquisition of electronic resources and increasingly providing access to databases related to Japan Studies. Materials relating to Japan in English and other Western languages are located throughout the university library system. The Gallagher Law Library has one of the most extensive collections on East Asia Law in North America. Other specialized materials on Japan are found in the Engineering Library, the Foster Business Library, and the Art Library.