Masters in International and Regional Studies - Southeast Asian Studies

The Masters in International and Regional Studies (MIRS) provides students with the comparative perspective and analytical tools necessary to both understand and address issues and challenges that traverse the globe. MIRS combines an interdisciplinary curriculum, deep regionalthematic expertise, rigorous methodological training, and international experiences to enable students to situate these issues and challenges in their cultural, historical, geographical, political, and socioeconomic contexts and to approach them in diverse ways. MIRS is designed to prepare students for global career opportunities, whether in academia, private, or public sectors. MIRS builds on the strengths of the International Institute’s interdisciplinary centers and programs. Our centers and programs rank among the nation’s finest in their respective fields of study; five have been designated as U.S. Department of Education National Resource Centers. Students have the unique option of pursuing either a regional or thematic track with multiple specializations anchored in one of our centers or programs. MIRS provides students with unique academic and professional training, including: Immense curricular offerings, including language training; Innovative regional and thematic programming and events; Publicly engaged, internationally recognized faculty with deep regional expertise; Rigorous, yet flexible, core requirements tailored to career interests; Robust academic advising and professional development opportunities; Large, intellectually vibrant, and diverse cohort. MIRS students will complete a total of 36 credits, distributed over at least two academic disciplines, at the 400-level or above. 27 of these credits are determined by the specialization. The remaining 9 credits are required for all MIRS students. MIRS requirements include two core courses and a graduate colloquium. In addition, MIRS students will have access to a graduate professional development workshop.

The MIRS Admissions Committee relies on all application materials to assess each applicant for admission. The committee does not focus on one criterion to the exclusion of others, nor do we have minimum requirements for any criterion (including GPA). In addition to Rackham’s minimum requirements to apply, a completed application will include all of the following items: Academic Statement of Purpose: This essay should discuss your academic background, career goals, and how the MIRS program will help you meet these goals and objectives. Specific instructions will be provided within the application. This document will be uploaded directly into the application form. Personal Statement: This statement should discuss how your personal background and life experiences including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This essay is different from your academic statement of purpose and is intended to be a discussion of your personal journey. Specific instructions will be provided within the application. This document will be uploaded directly into the application form. Transcripts: Official transcripts from your previous degree-granting institutions may be scanned and uploaded directly to the application. Specific instructions and requirements for scanned transcripts can be found on the Rackham website. Supplementary Transcripts: In addition to those official transcripts, the II encourages you to scan and upload transcripts from other postsecondary institutions at which you have completed relevant language and area studies courses, such as study abroad programs, community colleges, and summer sessions. These additional transcripts are considered unofficial, but the II uses them to evaluate your academic background for admission, and the availability of these transcripts will expedite the admissions process. Please note that advisors cannot see the status of your transcript or test scores until after an application is submitted. Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required and may be submitted electronically by your recommenders. You will receive instructions for submitting letters of recommendation on the Rackham website and as you complete your application form. Language Recommendation: If you have studied a foreign language related to your specialization, either formally or informally, we strongly encourage you to obtain a recommendation from a language instructor or someone familiar with your language proficiency. This letter may be included as one of the three required letters of recommendation. If you do not have a language evaluator, you are welcome to submit an additional academic recommendation for a total of four letters of recommendation. Academic Writing Sample: A sample of written work in English (8-20 pages) that forecasts your capacity to: construct critical arguments and present them in a comprehensive manner; clearly articulate your thesis; support your claims by the effective use of evidence and coherent analysis of the material in question; present your material in an organized, clear, and creative way; offer logically derived conclusion(s); and correctly document primary and secondary sources.