Xinjiang
Photograph by Steven Dale
The concurrent degree program in Journalism and Asian Studies is designed to provide the academic and professional training needed by journalists who specialize in covering Asia. The combined program allows you to earn an M.J. and an M.A. in three years rather than the three and one-half to four years required it would take to earn each degree separately.
The M.A. in Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary degree drawing on the faculty from many departments on campus such as Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Geography, Philosophy and Political Science. The program is subdivided into four regional areas: East Asia (China), Northeast Asia (Japan and Korea), South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The M.J. in Journalism is a professional degree that prepares you to work as a journalist in print, radio, new media, documentary film or television.
Requirements for the M.A. in Asian Studies includes the following:
The M.J. in journalism requires a minimum of 36 units in total (24 of which must be earned in graduate journalism courses), and a Master's project. The Graduate School of Journalism will accept three courses that overlap with Asian Studies toward the M.J.
You must apply to both departments and must include the joint major code 532B for Journalism/Asian Studies in the appropriate space on page A of your application. The deadline changes slightly every year. Please check the website for the exact date. Submit the UC Berkeley Application for Admission and Fellowships to the Group in Asian Studies. You will also need to submit a copy of this application to the Journalism department along with the required Journalism supplemental application and three samples of your journalistic work. For candidates that meet admission requirements, the School of Journalism also requires an interview and will contact you to make these arrangements.
You should request two sets of official transcripts and have one set sent to each department.
The GRE is required for all applicants to the concurrent program and international applicants must also submit TOEFL and TWE scores. Official scores must be received in our offices by the first week of January. GRE scores from tests taken more than five years ago are not acceptable. TOEFL/TWE scores more than two years old not acceptable. Official GRE score reports should be sent to both departments by the ETS. For the GRE use institution code R4833 and department codes 2201 and 4503 to have the scores sent to both Asian Studies and Journalism. For the TOEFL/TWE, use institution code 4833.
Three letters of recommendation are required. Your recommenders may send an original to Asian Studies and a copy to Journalism. Or, you may choose to have your recommender submit entirely separate letters that specifically address the criteria of each department.
In your statement of purpose, be sure to state your purpose in applying for the concurrent program and explain how the program will assist you with your professional and academic goals.
Admission decisions are made separately. You may be admitted to the concurrent program, or you may be admitted to one department and not the other depending on your qualifications in each field. Although you must submit two applications for the joint program, you only have to pay one application fee.
Contact each department to get more detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures, and curriculum and degree requirements. You must comply with the policies and requirements of both departments, and we suggest you clarify this information well in advance of the filing deadlines.
The Graduate School of Journalism and the Graduate Group in Asian Studies welcome your application.
For further information contact:
The Graduate School of Journalism
121 North Gate Hall
U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley, CA. 94720-5860
510.643.7927 phone
510.643.9136 fax
applysoj@berkeley.edu
http://journalism.berkeley.edu/
The Graduate Group in Asian Studies
2223 Fulton Street, Room 524
U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley, CA. 94720-2318
510.642.0333 phone
510.643.7062 fax
asianst@berkeley.edu
http://ieas.berkeley.edu/gas/