Overview
There are numerous opportunities for graduate work in Asian Studies at Cornell University, so it is important that applicants understand the options and choose the course of study that will help you meet your individual goals.
The Cornell University Department of Asian Studies has two graduate program options. There is a Ph.D. program in Asian Literature, Religion, and Culture, and an M.A. program in Asian Studies. Both programs have three areas of concentration: East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Click on the above links for each option to explore more details and requirements.
Fields of Study
Please note that the term "Field" has a special meaning at Cornell, since graduate study here is organized into Fields that are only loosely related to Departments and Programs. Students who wish to work toward a doctorate and have had undergraduate training in Asian Studies and in another discipline should apply to the M.A. or Ph.D. program in the appropriate field (i.e., anthropology or history). In addition to the Fields of Asian Literature, Religions and Culture, and Asian Studies, a complete list of the fields of study offered at Cornell is provided by the Graduate School. Some fields have concentrations dealing directly with Asia (i.e., Chinese history), while others allow students to create an individualized Asian Studies minor.
Applying to the M.A. in Asian Studies? Apply to the Asian Studies Equity Fellowship.
The Cornell Department of Asian Studies offers an Equity Fellowship to support a student through the pursuit of a Master's degree . The Asian Studies Equity Fellowship is designed to advance the M.A. Field of Asian Studies’ commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and especially access. This fellowship is available on a competitive basis to applicants from all backgrounds. The Field awards one Equity Fellowship each application cycle.
Financial Aid
Most of Cornell's financial support goes to students in Ph.D. degree programs. Normally, admission to a Ph.D. field includes a commitment from the Graduate School of five years of financial support, with the expectation that the student would work as a teaching assistant for three of those years.
At the Masters level the Department offers an Asian Studies Equity Fellowship. A core value of Cornell University is to provide a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together. The Asian Studies Equity Fellowship is designed to advance the M.A. Field of Asian Studies’ commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and especially access. This fellowship is available on a competitive basis to applicants from all backgrounds. The Field awards one Equity Fellowship each application cycle. This award covers tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend. Recipients who remain in good standing in the Field will receive the award for a total of two full-time academic years (summers not included).
The area programs (East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia) may have information available about other funding such as Foreign Language and Area Studies grants and other outside funding sources.
External Competitive Fellowships
See External Competitive Fellowships for a list of both internal to Cornell and external fellowships that are available to graduate students. This is only a small list of fellowships available. If you know of any fellowships that are not included on the list, please contact Kim Scott at kp16@cornell.edu with a link to the fellowship's web site.