M.A. Thesis Guidelines
The Master's Thesis represents an original work of research based on primary materials. Students must find, on their own initiative, an adviser appropriate to the topic. The adviser should be a faculty member (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) of the Council on East Asian Studies (CEAS). With permission of the DGS, the adviser can be a visiting faculty member associated with CEAS. If a student can’t find an advisor, then the DGS may co-advise or help to find a suitable advisor.
Students should agree on the topic with the adviser, and then obtain the approval of the DGS for the topic and adviser. The adviser must confirm in writing with the DGS and CEAS Registrar that they will be serving as your adviser.
Students must enroll in EAST 900: Masters Thesis in the semester in which the thesis will be submitted. (EAST 900 may be counted among the 16 required courses for the degree.) Your thesis advisor will submit their grade directly to the DGS and CEAS Registrar utilizing the M.A. Thesis Reader’s Report Form. If you have two readers, only one of them can submit the grade.
The length should be no more than 8,000-12,000 words (about 35-40 double-spaced pages).
Procedures & Deadlines
Submit all relevant materials to the DGS and Registrar by the deadlines listed below.
The prospectus must include a statement of the thesis topic, an initial schedule for completion, and a preliminary bibliography. Use the prospectus cover sheet (available here) and have it signed by your advisor prior to submission. The CEAS Registrar will check with the thesis adviser to confirm that you have made substantial progress and can be expected to submit satisfactory work by the final deadline.
A PDF of the final thesis must be sent to your thesis advisor, in addition to the DGS and Registrar. The EAST M.A. Thesis cover page available here.
Fall 2024
Tuesday, September 10th | Thesis topic and adviser’s name.
Friday, October 11th | Thesis prospectus.
Friday, November 22nd | MA Thesis Rough Draft.
Thursday, December 12th | MA Thesis Final Draft.
Spring 2025
Thursday, October 31st | Thesis topic and adviser’s name.
Wednesday, February 12th | Thesis prospectus.
Friday, April 4th | MA Thesis Rough Draft.
Thursday, May 1st | MA Thesis Final Draft.
Degree petition forms for conferral of May degrees are due to the EAST Registrar by 5:00 PM, Friday, February 14, 2025. The form is available for download here. DO NOT send forms directly to the Graduate School.
Commencement is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 19, 2025. Information about Commencement is available on the Yale Commencement website. Follow all the links for the dates and deadlines for such items as cap & gown reservations, visas for international guests, etc.
The Commencement Schedule is available here.