Asian International Relations graduate study advice?

Question

I have a degree in Psychology and have studied both Japanese and Chinese and have a interest in the history of and relationships between Asian countries. It's now obvious that Political Science is where Psychology and Asian studies meet, but I didn't realize that at the time and have never taken a Political Science course. I would like to study the effect of the power struggle for influence in Asia between China and Japan is affecting the rest of Asia.
Is it possible to first enter an Asian Studies program for a Masters and then switch to a PhD in International Relations or is it at all possible to enter a PolySci program as is?

Answer 1

First, you need to study the grad school catalog which discusses the distribution requirements for the program you want. It may be that there are some requirements that can be met by courses in the psychology department or sociology, if you took any of that, or other "soft sciences." Economics might qualify. If there's only a few courses, you might be able to make them up if you are admitted as a graduate student, or you may have to take a semester to make up the prerequisites. My own impression is that admissions offices tend to be flexible if you give them an excuse to be. So prepare your argument that this particular course you took is sufficiently similar to the one you would be required to take for a Poli Sci major that you feel a bit of remedial reading would be enough to catch up. You might even quote the title of a book (choose one required by the missing course) which you will agree to read over the summer if you are admitted as a graduate student.

By the way, I do not think that Political Science is the only place Psychology and Asian studies meet. How about economics? Or even international law? What about current topics of sociological or ecological interest? Fisheries that bring in dolphins with the catch and do not release them, for example. Whaling is still done by Japanese firms, is it not? Or marketing psychology, in the School of Business Administration? History, especially Asian history but also the history of contacts between the East and the West, would be important.

Take a nice wide look at all the courses you have taken, the topics that were covered, and state your case for getting into the graduate program you want. Your eagerness will probably count for something, as well as any logical arguments you put forth.

Answer 2

3