Southeast Asia Studies

Asian Studies

Students also must fulfill the general requirements for the field of Asian Studies, that is, an additional two Asian Studies courses outside of Southeast Asia Studies. Students in Southeast Asia Studies also have the option of pursuing a specialization in the International Relations of Asia (AsiaIR).

International Economics

All candidates for the M.A. degree must complete a concentration in the field of International Economics by taking four to six economics courses at SAIS. Students can also pursue a specialization within International Economics by taking additional course work. Students in Southeast Asia Studies also have the option of pursuing a specialization in Emerging Markets.

Core Courses

All SAIS students must pass two core exams and/or courses. If the core(s) is not completed by the start of his/her final semester, the student must enroll in a core course.

Language Proficiency

Southeast Asia Studies M.A. candidates must pass exams to demonstrate proficiency in Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese. All non-native English speakers are required to pass an English placement exam upon entering SAIS. Students from Southeast Asia must demonstrate proficiency in a Southeast Asian language other than their own choosing from Burmese, Indonesian, Thai or Vietnamese.

Capstone

Southeast Asia Studies concentrators must complete ONE of the following capstones: 1. Southeast Asia Oral Exam. The exam is designed to test substantive knowledge and oral communication skills covering Southeast Asia politics, economics, history and their impact on international relations. The one-hour exam will be administered by the program director, associate program director and others as designated by the program. 2. M.A. Oral Exam (to compete for honors—if eligible) A total of 16 courses taken for credit are required for an M.A. degree (unless a student has advanced standing or is in a dual-degree program).

Concentration Files