Graduate Certificate Program in South Asian Studies

  

Open to all students admitted to or in good standing in any graduate program at the University of Michigan, this is an inter-disciplinary program intended to supplement and complement on-going study in a discipline or in a professional school. The Certificate Program enables students to acquire context-based expertise in this critically important area of the world, and benefits those pursuing academic or other professional careers focusing on South Asia.

Certificate Course Requirements:

• At least 15 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work on South Asia
• Courses in at least three different departments or schools
• Required introductory course SAS 501: Proseminar in South Asian Studies, offered fall semester
• Up to 6 credits may include courses that are also used to satisfy some requirement for the graduate or professional degree
• First year competency in a South Asia Language, by course or proficiency exam
• Up to four of the fifteen credits may consist of graduate-level language instruction

Application Process

To be considered, applicants must: (1) be in good standing in their graduate degree program, (2) submit a cogent application statement demonstrating the importance of the Certificate to their educational and career goals; and (3) have the support of their advisor and/or home department or program.

Students in any Rackham program who wish to enter the Certificate program should submit the following to the Center:

1) The Rackham Application for Change of Program or Dual Degree. Find this at:
http://www.rackham.umich.edu/Admis/pdfforms/ChangeofProgram.pdf

On Line 9, the program numeric code is 01875; the plan is 8910CGR.

2) A statement of purpose that explains the student's interest in the Program and his or her background in South Asian Studies.

3) An official current transcript demonstrating that the student is in good standing at his or her graduate or professional school (or at his or her undergraduate institution for entering students).

4) Two letters of recommendation. In the case of continuing graduate students, one of these should come from the student's advisor to be sure of the degree program's support and to see that work toward the two educational goals is well coordinated.

Students in non-Rackham schools or programs should submit the following to the Center:

1) Students must use the Rackham Online Application, available at:
http://apply.embark.com/Grad/UMich/Rackham/ProgramA/

In this way, your application can be accessed by both Rackham and the Center.

The online application requires you to select your program of study from a drop-down list in the "Preliminary Questions" section. Please select "Asian Studies: South Asian Studies Certificate." It will automatically be entered into Line 14 of the on-line application.

2) A statement of purpose that explains the student's interest in the Program and his or her background in South Asian Studies.

3) A current official transcript demonstrating that the student is in good standing at his or her graduate or professional school AND an official undergraduate transcript with the degree posted. (For students currently completing their undergraduate degree, then a current official transcript is required. The official transcript with degree posted can follow later.)

4) Two letters of recommendation. In the case of continuing graduate students, one of these should come from the student's advisor to be sure of the degree program’s support and to see that work toward the two educational goals is well coordinated.

Contact for more information:
Student Services Coordinator
Nancy Becker
nbecker@umich.edu
Center for South Asian Studies
1080 S. University Ave, Suite 3603 SSWB
Phone: 734-647-8216
Fax: 734-936-0996