The Department of Politics at East China Normal University accepts applications from prospective students interested in pursuing a 2-year research-oriented Master of Law or 4-year Ph.D. in Politics. The program is based on ECNU’s main campus in Shanghai. Part-time, non-degree students are also welcome to apply for short-term studies leading to a graduate certificate or to complement studies elsewhere. The program focus is Chinese politics, and draws from the Department’s expertise in the areas of political philosophy, political history, political theory and systems, political communication and public relations, political education and participation, international relations, and research methods. Mandarin language learning support will be provided, and degree-seekers will be required to pass the HSK Level 3 Examination in order to graduate.
All courses will be taught in English, and Master’s students in the program will be required to successfully defend a thesis written in English. Doctoral candidates may submit their dissertations in English or Chinese. The Department boasts a robust, diverse faculty, many of whom have trained abroad or earned their doctorates or completed substantial post-doctoral or visiting scholar positions abroad. All are regular faculty at ECNU and will therefore be available to form strong mentorships as they teach, advise, direct student research, and help graduates embark on post-graduate opportunities.
The Master’s program requires at least 2 years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. It faces a time limit of 4 years. Research-oriented master’s programs in China generally require three years and around 30 credits, not including credits for the thesis. Because many master’s programs offered in other countries as well as many international master’s programs in China can be completed in a year or two, we believe that compressing the course of study so that it can be completed in two years is necessary. However, we also insist on maintaining and in some cases exceeding the basic requirements for a typical Chinese master’s program. Following many international programs, we will require 33 credits.
Commonly, the PhD program requires 4 years of study beyond the master’s degree. It can be completed in no less than 3, and faces a time limit of 6 years. Although students are required to complete only 15 credits with grades of 80 or higher, they are strongly encouraged to take more to enrich their studies and address any deficiencies. Students are required to complete at least 12 credits in the first year, and an additional 3 during the second year.
Credits Requirements for Master’s Program
Topic and Credits Required |
Courses |
Semester |
Credits Offered |
Research Methods (9 credits) |
Research Methods I (required) |
1 |
3 |
Research Methods II (required) |
1 |
3 |
|
Research Methods III (required) |
2 |
3 |
|
History (6 credits) |
Introduction to Chinese Civilization offered by university (required) |
1 |
3 |
History of Western Political Philosophy (required) |
1&3 |
3 |
|
Philosophy (6 credits) |
Marxism (required) |
2 |
3 |
Chinese Political Philosophy (required) |
3 |
3 |
|
Policy/Politics (At least 12 credits) |
Chinese Political and Governmental Systems |
2 |
3 |
Thematic Studies in Chinese History |
3 |
3 |
|
Citizenship and Political Education |
2 |
3 |
|
Comparative Political Communication |
1 |
3 |
|
International Relations Theory |
1&3 |
3 |
|
Chinese International Relations |
2 |
3 |
|
Women and Gender in Chinese Politics |
3 |
3 |
|
Praxes 1-research seminar |
2 |
1-3 |
|
Praxes 2-internship |
1-4 |
1-3 |
|
Praxes 3-field work |
1-4 |
1-3 |
|
Electives* |
Directed Research |
1-4 |
1-3 |
Approved Cross-listed Courses (no more than 6 credits allowed) |
1-4 |
3-6 |
|
Mandarin |
Two courses at ECNU (required) |
1-2 |
- |
Total Required for Graduation |
33 |
Credits Requirements for PhD Program
Topic and Credits Required |
Courses |
Credits Offered |
Basic requirements (12 credits) |
Introduction to Chinese Civilization |
3 |
Research Methods 1 |
3 |
|
Research Methods 2 |
3 |
|
Research Methods 3 |
3 |
|
Policy / Politics (At least 3 credits)
|
History of Western Political Philosophy |
3 |
China and South Asia |
3 |
|
Environmental Governance in China |
3 |
|
International Relations Theory |
3 |
|
Marxism |
3 |
|
Chinese Political Philosophy |
3 |
|
Modern Chinese History / Thematic Studies in Chinese History |
3 |
|
The Western Impact on Chinese Political and Intellectual Transformation |
3 |
|
Chinese Political and Governmental Systems |
3 |
|
Political Participation in China |
3 |
|
Citizenship and Ideological Education in China |
3 |
|
Comparative Political Communication |
3 |
|
Party and Governmental Public Relations in China |
3 |
|
Chinese International Relations |
3 |
|
Women and Gender in Chinese Politics |
3 |
|
Praxes 1 |
1-3 |
|
Praxes 2 |
1-3 |
|
Praxes 3 |
1-3 |
|
Cross-listed courses |
1-3 |
|
Directed Reading/Research |
1-3 |
|
Mandarin |
Two courses at ECNU (required)* |
- |
Total Required for Graduation |
15 |
We offer a Graduate Certificate as an option for students seeking such an opportunity. The certificate probably requires 15 credits completed at ECNU, and must be drawn from the courses directly associated with the program. We will develop the specific requirements and seek official approval on a tailored, student-by-student basis. For admission as a non-degree seeking or exchange student, or to enroll in the Graduate Certificate program, then please contact the program for more information.
Global Education Center, ECNU
Add: Room 253 Physics Building, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai
Tel: (86-21)62232013/ 62238353
Master: Cassie ZHU (xnzhu@gec.ecnu.edu.cn )
Ph.D.: Ying Yin (yyin@ied.ecnu.edu.cn )
Department of Politics
Email: Hong QUAN (hquan@dlps.ecnu.edu.cn)
Beijing Time
Room 253 International Students Office, Physics Building,
East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, China
200062
+86-21-62232013 +86-21-62238353
86-21-62238352
lxs@ecnu.edu.cn
Global Education Center
International Student Office
WECHAT:ecnuiso