Applying to the Graduate Program

To be eligible for admission to graduate programs at Stanford, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• Applicants must hold, or expect to hold before enrollment at Stanford, a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association.
• Applicants from institutions outside the U.S. must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.

See minimum level of study for International applicants

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Evidence of adequate English proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English.

International students enrolled at Stanford must be able to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English. Admission is offered only to students who are fully prepared in English or who have advanced intermediate proficiency in English that could be raised to the required level by enrollment in a summer intensive English program.

Stanford TOEFL Requirement Details

Our department offers Doctoral Programs in Chinese and in Japanese. All students contemplating application for admission to graduate study must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. Candidates for the degree are expected to acquire a thorough familiarity with Chinese or Japanese literature and linguistics, an adequate command of relevant languages, and a comprehensive knowledge of East Asian history, social institutions, and thought. The applicant need not have majored in Chinese or Japanese as an undergraduate, but must have had the equivalent of at least three years of training in the language in which he or she intends to specialize, and must also demonstrate a command of English adequate for the pursuit of graduate study. Applicants should not wish merely to acquire or improve language skills, but to pursue study in one of the following fields:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese
• Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese, Archaeology Subplan
• Doctor of Philosophy in Japanese
• Doctor of Philosophy in Japanese, Linguistics Subplan

Application Requirements:

1.  Application Form
The application form is completed online through the University Graduate Admissions website.

2.  Application Fee
There is an application fee of $125. Fee waivers are available for eligible students.

3.  Statement of Purpose

4.  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The University sets the TOEFL score requirements, submission information, and waiver request which can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website.

5.  Official Transcripts
Transcripts are required from all prior college level schools attended for at least one year. A scanned copy of the official transcript is submitted as part of the online application. Please do not mail hard copy transcripts to the department at the time of application. We will contact you at a later date if we need an official transcript.   

6.  Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit their letters through the online system and paper letters will not be accepted. In deciding whom to ask for letters of recommendation, give preference to people who have taught you and/or directed your research activities, or people who know you and your work well. Late letters may be submitted but we cannot guarantee review of materials received after the deadline. 

7.  Writing Sample
A writing sample is required, preferably in a related topic, but in any case something that displays your research abilities and writing skills. The writing sample should be approximately 15 pages in length and is also submitted with the online application. We do not accept any paper application materials. 

For more information regarding the application process and eligibility, please visit the University Graduate Admissions website.

Applicants must apply online through our University website: Stanford Graduate Admissions: Starting Your Application.

Our department offers a Master of Arts degree in Chinese and in Japanese. 

All students contemplating application for admission to graduate study must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. The applicant need not have majored in Chinese or Japanese as an undergraduate, but must have had the equivalent of at least three years of training in the language in which he or she intends to specialize, and must also demonstrate a command of English adequate for the pursuit of graduate study. Applicants should not wish merely to acquire or improve language skills, but to pursue study in one of the following fields: Chinese history (pre-modern), Chinese linguistics, Chinese literature, Chinese philosophy, Japanese cultural history, Japanese literature, and Japanese linguistics.

The EALC Department offers limited tuition fellowships to students who have been admitted into the M.A. program and encourages applicants to seek outside funding/fellowships.

Application Requirements:

1.  Application Form
The application form is completed online through the University Graduate Admissions website.

2.  Application Fee
There is an application fee of $125. Fee waivers are available for eligible students.

3.  Statement of Purpose

4.  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The University sets the TOEFL score requirements, submission information, and waiver request which can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website.

5.  Official Transcripts
Transcripts are required from all prior college level schools attended for at least one year. A scanned copy of the official transcript is submitted as part of the online application. Please do not mail hard copy transcripts to the department at the time of application. We will contact you at a later date if we need an official transcript.   

6.  Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit their letters through the online system and paper letters will not be accepted. In deciding whom to ask for letters of recommendation, give preference to people who have taught you and/or directed your research activities, or people who know you and your work well. Late letters may be submitted but we cannot guarantee review of materials received after the deadline. 

7.  Writing Sample
A writing sample is required, preferably in a related topic, but in any case something that displays your research abilities and writing skills. The writing sample should be approximately 15 pages in length and is also submitted with the online application. We do not accept any paper application materials. 

For more information regarding the application process and eligibility, please visit the University Graduate Admissions website.

 Applications must apply online through our University website: Stanford Graduate Admissions: Starting Your Application.