2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las/east-asian-languages-cultures-phd/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Admission
Applicants to the PhD program normally must hold a master's degree in East Asian studies or a related discipline with an East Asian concentration.
Candidates for the PhD may specialize in culture (e.g., religion, literature, history, anthropology), language acquisition, or language pedagogy, with a major concentration in China, Japan, or Korea.
Other general requirements include: an annual review of progress, including an evaluation of research capability; a written and oral preliminary examination in the major and two minor fields (after completion of coursework); presentation of a dissertation proposal (often as part of the preliminary exam).
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program. Therefore, applicants are requested to include information on teaching background as part of the application, and students can normally be expected to teach at least one semester as part of their graduate experience. Non-native English speakers must first pass a test of their oral English ability.
Financial Aid
The Department makes every effort to assist graduate students in securing financial aid. Financial aid packages usually combine some form of fellowship support with teaching or research assistantships in a manner that allows for both teaching experience and timely completion of the degree. In recent years, almost all EALC graduate students have received some form of financial support. Financial aid for graduate students in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures may include:
- University Fellowships
- Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
- Illinois Global Institute (IGI) Fellowships
- University Dissertation Completion Fellowships
- Minority Academic Partnership Plan (MAPP) Fellowships
- Teaching assistantships
- Research assistantships
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages & Cultures
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's guide to Graduate Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Courses in the major field defined by culture and discipline (500-level) | | 16 | | Research seminars (500-level) | | 8 | | Elective 500-level courses | | 8 | | Two graduate courses in a second discipline and two in a second culture must be completed as part of the Ph.D. coursework | | | | Language Requirement: | | | | Candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of one East Asian language at the fourth-year level by satisfactory completion of appropriate (400-level) coursework or examination and passage of a written examination covering material studied while in residence. | | | | Demonstration of proficiency in a second language relevant to the student's course of study usually Chinese, Japanese, Korean evidenced by either a) completion of minimum of two years of an approved sequence courses; or b) by examination. | | | | EALC 599 | Thesis Research (32 max applied toward degree) | 0-32 | | Total Hours | | 64 |
Other Requirements
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other Requirements may overlap | |
| In addition to the language requirements noted above, Ph.D. students whose primary focus is Japan are required to take one year of classical Japanese, and those whose primary focus is China are required to take one year of classical Chinese. These may be counted toward degree requirements. | |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
Entering with approved B.S./B.A. degree
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | EALC 500 | Proseminar in EALC | 4 | | Two 500-level courses in the major field including one course designated as a research seminar in which the student produces a research paper using Asian language sources. | | 8 | | Distribution requirements. a minimum of two (8 hours) 400- or 500-level courses that are: 1. outside the major field of interest. 2. in an East Asian culture other than the major areas of interest. 3. in a Second Period (modern or premodern) | | 8 | | Elective hours to earn MA equivalency | | 12 | | Courses in the major field defined by culture and discipline (500-level) | | 16 | | Research seminars (500-level) | | 8 | | Elective 500-level courses | | 8 | | EALC 599 | Thesis Research (32 max applied toward degree) | 32 | | Total Hours | | 96 |
Other Requirements
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other Requirements may overlap | |
| In addition to the language requirements noted above, Ph.D. students whose primary focus is Japan are required to take one year of classical Japanese, and those whose primary focus is China are required to take one year of classical Chinese. These may be counted toward degree requirements. | |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages & Cultures
- Learning goal in East Asian languages: Language proficiency in two East Asian languages.
- Learning goal in East Asian disciplines: Familiarity with a major field and at least one minor field outside of the student’s focused area to broaden students’ perspectives and ability to conduct interdisciplinary research and to teach general courses.
- Learning goal in East Asian periods: Understanding of both modern and pre-modern periods of East Asian societies.
- Learning goal in teaching preparedness: Proficiency in teaching methodologies to teach languages or to teach Gen-Ed courses.
- Learning goal in research: Completion of MA thesis or qualifying exams in three fields for MA students. Three qualifying exams, oral exam, and the completion of the dissertation and defense for Ph.D. students.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Graduate Degree Programs in East Asian Languages & Cultures
- East Asian Languages & Cultures, MA
- East Asian Languages and Cultures, PhD
- optional concentrations:
- Medieval Studies
- Second Language Acquisition & Teacher Education
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages & Cultures
Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures
Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures website\ East Asian Languages & Cultures Faculty\ East Asian Languages & Cultures Graduate Degree Information\ 2090 Foreign Languages Building, 707 South Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 244-1432\ ealc@illinois.edu
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website