Program Structure

The M.A. program has two main objectives: to help develop professional academics in the field of Southeast Asian Studies and to give people a profound understanding of Southeast Asia and the issues which concern it. Accordingly, the program is composed of two curriculum plans, A and B, each of which is designed to cater to the differing individual needs of the students. For graduation, students are required to successfully complete 36 credits.

Curriculum A (Plan A)

For those who aspire to be professional academics, Curriculum Plan A has been designed with one third of the total credits required to graduate (12 credits out of 36 credits) allocated to research/thesis work.

In this curriculum, students are required to successfully complete:
> 4 Compulsory Courses (12 Credits)
> 4 Elective Courses (12 Credits)
> Research Thesis (12 Credits)

***Students who have opted for Plan A cannot change to Plan B

Curriculum B (Plan B)

For those who simply wish to derive a better understanding of the region, Curriculum B has been designed with one third of the credits required to graduate being allocated to the extra elective courses from which students can choose as part of their own area of specialization. (These electives will include subjects currently offered as part of the M.A. program in Thai Studies.)

In this curriculum, a minor piece of research work (3 credits) is also required to make certain that students have acquired the ability to undertake a more substantial research work in the future should they so desire.

In this curriculum, students are required to successfully complete:
> 4 Compulsory Courses (12 Credits)
> 7 Elective Courses (21 Credits)
> Special Research (3 Credits)
> A comprehensive exam.

***Those who opted for Plan B may change to Plan A if they receive approval from the Program Committee