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Binghamton University
Department of Asian & Asian American Studies
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GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK
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DAAAS Graduate Student Handbook
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Department of Asian & Asian American Studies:
Graduate Student Handbook
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DAAAS MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
The Master of Arts in Asian & Asian American Studies enhances intercultural understanding and
promotes rigorous scholarly study of Asian societies, political economies, cultures, histories,
languages, migrations, and other areas. The MA Program consists of six fields of study: Chinese
Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, South Asian Studies, Asian American and Diaspora
Studies, and Global Asia Studies.
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Degree Requirements
Graduate students pursuing the MA in Asian & Asian American Studies choose one of the six
fields of study.
A minimum of 32 credit hours (eight graduate courses) are required for fulfillment of
coursework. Binghamton University Graduate School policy stipulates that no more than eight
of these 32 credits may be transfer credits.
NOTE: Many students will graduate having completed 42 credit hours, owing to the required
minimum course load of nine credit hours per semester to be considered full time (see below
under Level 2 Enrollment Requirements).
The eight required courses for the MA in Asian & Asian American Studies must include the
following:
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Proseminar: AAAS 500, Asian & Asian American Studies: Issues & Approaches
Chosen Field of Study Courses: Four courses in the student’s chosen field of study
Elective Courses: Three Elective courses, with approval of the advisor
Independent Study Courses: A limited number of Independent Study courses may be
permitted as substitutes for Chosen Field of Study or Elective Courses. Independent
Study courses must be approved by the advisor and the faculty member who will be
supervising the independent study course.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for graduation.
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Courses and Course Load
1) Level 1 students: All beginning graduate students are categorized as Level 1 students.
A Level 1 student is any master's-level student who has not yet completed 24 credit hours. The
required minimum course load for Level 1 MA students is twelve credit hours per semester
(this normally equals three 4-credit courses). All entering MA students are required to register
for the four-credit AAAS 500 Proseminar in their first semester. The other two courses for their
first term will be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
2) Level 2 students: A Level 2 student is a master's-level student who has completed 24
credit hours. By the start of the 3rd semester, most graduate students are categorized Level 2.
Level 2 Enrollment Requirements: students must always register for a course
load of nine credit hours per semester to be considered full time.
-The first semester of Level 2 status, students normally take two 4-credit hour
courses, and the remaining 1 credit under the Thesis Writing option (Thesis - 25932 - AAAS 599 - 21).
-The second semester of your Level 2 status (normally, your final/4th semester of
graduate study), once you have completed 32 credit hours of graduate study, your registrations
status will be automatically converted to “Course Complete.”
Even though you are designated as “Course Complete”, you still must always register for
a course load of nine credit hours per semester to be considered full time.
However, if you are writing an MA Thesis, you only need to register for 1 credit hour per
semester, under the Thesis Writing option (Thesis - 25932 - AAAS 599 - 21).
For the remaining 8 credit hours, you can fill out and submit the “Full-Time Certification
Form” (http://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/files/forms/Full-Time_Certification_Form.pdf; This can also be found by following these links on the Grad School website: “New &
Current Students  Forms”). This form requires DAAAS and Graduate School approval. {For international
students, you can select “Immigration Status” on the form to indicate that you need to maintain full time status for
VISA purposes}.
After filling out and submitting this form, you then register for 8 credit hours under the
course Full Time Certification - 18177 - GRD 700 - 01. You will not be charged for these 8 credit hours.
 Even if you are a non-international student who is not relying on student loans,
work-study, or other forms of financial aid, once you have completed 32 credit hours of
graduate study, you still must always register for a course load of nine credit hours per
semester to be considered full time.
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Language Requirements
Students in the Chinese, Japanese, or Korean Studies field must demonstrate proficiency in the
relevant language equivalent to successful completion of a four-year college language study
sequence✪ in order to complete the MA. Students admitted to one of these fields will already
have had at least two years of undergraduate language training.
Students enrolled in the South Asian Studies field must demonstrate proficiency in an Asian
language relevant to their course of study equivalent to successful completion of a three-year
college language study sequence✪ in order to complete the MA. This requirement can be
waived in some cases, based on the student’s particular course of study and approval of the
student’s advisor.
The Asian American & Diaspora Studies field and Global Asia Studies field have no explicit
language requirement. However, if a particular language is necessary for the student’s course
of study, that student will be expected to develop competence in that language by the time of
completion of the MA.
Language Proficiency levels can be demonstrated in one of two ways:
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Transcript Evidence: Students can provide transcript evidence of successfully-completed
coursework which demonstrates proficiency in the relevant language for a chosen field
of study (see above). Transcript evidence requires a grade of B or better, completed no
more than five years before admission to the MA program at Binghamton University.1
Language Proficiency Examination: Satisfactory completion of a language proficiency
examination administered by DAAAS faculty or by DAAAS approved specialists
elsewhere.
Assistance with English Language Proficiency:
Graduate courses in the Asian & Asian American Studies Department at Binghamton University
are taught in English, and course essays, research papers, and MA Theses must be written in
English. Graduate Students wishing to improve their English skills can take ESL courses, which
do not count toward course/semester credit hour requirements (i.e., you must first register as a
full time student in other graduate courses, then you can enroll in these additional ESL courses).
These courses, which do not count toward matriculation, include:
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✪
ESL 715 - Meets with ESL 205. This course focuses on Speaking and Listening, and includes presentations
(group and individual), pronunciation work, debates, large and small group discussions, listening to
All college language study sequence levels, regardless of source institution, will be based on equivalency to
Binghamton University Department of Asian & Asian American Studies language courses, as evaluated and
determined by department faculty.
1
In cases where a student has provided sufficient transcript evidence, but faculty members and the advisor agree
that the student has not retained language abilities equivalent to the demonstrated proficiency level required by a
course of study, additional language study may be required in order for that student to complete the MA.
DAAAS Graduate Student Handbook
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lectures and the news, taking notes, etc.

ESL 725 - Meets with ESL 215. For advanced speakers who want to hone their pronunciation and
presentation skills. Much like the GRD 575 course, except that GRD 575 is specifically for TAs and GA, so
there is a greater focus on teaching.

ESL 720 - in the Fall, the class meets alone; in the Spring, it meets (jointly) with ESL 210. This is an
advanced writing course with a significant amount of group work and discussion; the course includes
instruction in proper citation and reference, workshops on grammar and plagiarism, and group
workshopping of graduate papers.
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Selection of Advisor
All incoming students are assigned a temporary advisor upon enrolling in the MA program. By
the end of their first semester but no later than the end of the first year, students select a
DAAAS faculty member who will serve as the supervisor for their MA thesis or examination.
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Thesis/Examination
Graduate students are required to write a thesis or sit for a written examination at the end of
their course of study. Both the thesis and exam committees are comprised of the advisor and
at least one additional faculty member.
Thesis
The purpose of the MA thesis is to demonstrate a student’s ability to conduct research.
Research competence encompasses the abilities to: define a relevant problem; propose a
research plan designed to address that problem; survey the relevant literature; conduct
independent research; and produce a written document that communicates the research
results and demonstrates the student’s ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information.
The definition of acceptable thesis topics varies and students should confer with their advisor
and any other relevant faculty regarding individual projects. When the finished draft of a thesis
is completed, the candidate and committee members will schedule a formal oral defense of the
thesis.
Written Examination
Students wishing to take the written examination must elect to do so by the end of their third
semester. The student, in consultation with the committee members, will develop a list of his or
her topics of interest and a relevant reading list on those topics, which includes works from
courses the student has taken and additional works. Near the end of the student’s final
semester of study (usually the fourth semester), the committee will provide the student with a
series of questions based on the reading list. The student will then have 24 hours to write
responses to the questions provided. The written exam will be followed by an oral defense.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Grading and Incompletes
Refer to the information in the Bulletin and Graduate Student Manual
(http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/manual/enrollment.html#incomplete) regarding
these matters. When, owing to illness or other valid circumstances (e.g., unavailability of
necessary research materials), a student is unable to complete the work for a course by the end
of the semester, a grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned. Students have six months to
complete the course if they are registered in the subsequent semester; the “I” may be
extended a maximum of one year. When the work is completed to the instructor’s satisfaction,
the faculty member will submit a “Change of Grade Form.” An “I” grade will automatically
become a permanent “W” (Withdrawn) once the time limit for completion expires.
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Maintaining Matriculated Status
Refer to “Continuous Registration and Leaves of Absence” in the Bulletin
(http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/manual/enrollment.html#continuous).
To
maintain matriculated status, students must register for at least one credit during each fall and
spring semester subsequent to their admission. Failure to do so will result in severance from
the Graduate School, and a new application will be necessary to gain readmission. If you are
not taking courses but still intend to complete your degree work, make sure you complete and
submit, each semester, a “Graduate Student Continuous Registration Form.” Keep DAAAS and
the Graduate office apprised of your contact information. If several semesters have elapsed
since a previous registration, the student, if readmitted, may be required to pay tuition for each
semester of non-registration. Leaves of absence, while not impossible, are rarely granted.
Students must be registered during the semester of completion, even during summer term. If
registration extends beyond ten semesters, a request for an extension must be submitted to
the Provost, stating the length of extension requested, and giving justification for the extension.
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Transfer Credits
Refer to the information in the Bulletin (http://www2.binghamton.edu/gradschool/manual/enrollment.html#transfer). Up to 8 graduate credits earned at other
institutions within the last 5 years (and which were not used to complete requirements for
another degree) may be transferred. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for assistance in
completing the request form. An official copy of the transcript will be required (this should
already be on file with your application materials), and a course syllabus should be submitted to
the Director of Graduate Studies.
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Declaration of Candidacy
Students expecting to complete the requirements for a graduate degree during a given
semester must file a “Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) Form”
(binghamton.edu.185r.net/survey/index.php?time=2013-08-09%2001%3A00%3A00&id=192&timeID=3966) with the Office
of the Graduate School (AD-134). The deadline for filing this form is near the middle of the
semester. Check with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate School website for the
date, and to obtain the form online. File the form online if you think there is any chance you
might finish; if you do not finish, the form will be considered null. You must re-submit the form
in the subsequent semester in which you complete degree requirements. If you do not file on
time, you may be required to pay an additional semester’s tuition.
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This handbook offers guidance for your course of study and explains your duties and obligations.
It is intended to be a ready but not exhaustive guide.
Please also consult:
The Bulletin
http://www.binghamton.edu:8080/exist8/rest/index.html
The Bulletin contains the official requirements and regulations that apply to you. In particular,
refer to the sections of the Bulletin entitled “The Graduate School.”
The Graduate Student Handbook
http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/manual/enrollment.html#registration
It contains essential information on rules and regulations for all graduate students, as well as
other very useful information, especially regarding the submission of written theses. Please
review it to inform yourself of rules, requirements, and regulations, and consult it as you begin
to prepare for your thesis work.
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DAAAS Graduate Student Handbook
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Binghamton University Graduate School Tuition Rates for the 2014-15
academic year. The rates are listed per 1 credit, 9 credits, & 12 credits,
by residency and by program. Please note that these rates are subject to
change. The tuition must be recertified each year by the SUNY Board of
Trustee but are reflective of the NY2020 rational tuition plan.
Tuition Rates for AY 2014-2015
Resident Rates
Graduate - Masters
Graduate - Doctoral
MBA
Masters of Social Work
Nursing Practice
Non-Resident Rates
Graduate - Masters
Graduate - Doctoral
MBA
Masters of Social Work
Nursing Practice
Year
2014-15
Rate
12
Credits
9
1
$10,370
$10,370
$13,220
$11,880
$21,310
$5,185
$5,185
$6,610
$5,940
$10,655
$3,888
$3,888
$4,959
$4,455
$7,992
$432
$432
$551
$495
$888
Rate
$20,190
$20,190
$22,170
$20,190
$38,980
$10,095
$10,095
$11,085
$10,095
$19,490
$7,569
$7,569
$8,316
$7,569
$14,616
$841
$841
$924
$841
$1,624
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