Best Accredited Universities for Doctoral Phd program in South Asian Studies

The South Asian Studies offers programs of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. While graduate work is tailored to individual intellectual interests, it is our expectation that all doctoral students will ground their work in primary language materials and participate in broadly interdisciplinary studies of South Asian languages, histories, and cultures. Programs of StudyThe Department has historic and well-defined courses of graduate study in Sanskrit and Indian Studies and in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies. It is our expectation that candidates for doctoral study will propose other programs in South Asian Studies.

The PhD and MA Graduate program gives students a broad understanding of the study of South Asia, deep knowledge of particular fields of interest, and training in South Asian languages as the basis for original research to prepare for academia or other professional careers.

This program is designed for students who did not major in Asian Studies as undergraduates or who want more work in language and area studies before entering the professional, business, or Ph.D. fields. One to two years of study is required, depending on language proficiency. Graduate study at Cornell is centered around a close working relationship between the student and his or her committee, and especially the principal advisor (the chair of the committee).