Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies (MAINS)

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MA in Inter-Asia NGO Studies
Graduate School, SungKongHoe University
 
 


Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies (MAINS)
Course Description and Guide
for Admission in 2021
 


  1. About MAINS (The Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies)
The program of Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies started in 2007. Its multidisciplinary curriculum, together with practitioners’ training, is unique in the field of studies on social change, non-governmental organizations and civil society in the Asian context. The curriculum covers a wide range of current issues from both regional and global perspectives, placing a special focus on the development of solidarity among civil society participants.
MAINS is intended for those who have contributed, or have the potential to contribute, to the social change and development of civil society in Asia. With academic and practical resources in SungKongHoe University, MAINS offers intensive and flexible preparation for those who seek leadership and skills for more just and equitable social changes in Asia.
The MAINS program has evolved over the years to place more emphasis on the experience of democratization and development in Korea. More attention is also paid on the theory and practice of international development with special reference to the Asian context.
 
  1. ADMISSION
  1. Eligibility
We welcome applicants with an undergraduate degree, preferably in social science fields, and with experiences generally in the non-profit or non-governmental sectors in Asia and Korea. Given the nature of the program those who are from the outside of Asian region will NOT be given a priority consideration in the admission. We are looking for individuals with sensitivity to, and involvement in, issues such as the promotion of social change, human rights, democratization, local community development, solidarity across borders, and humanitarian aid in Asia. We will particularly scrutinize these points through the process of admission decision. Therefore an application with a sole purpose of career advancement in the NGO sector is not encouraged.
 
  1. Admission Procedures
 
  1. Schedule for 2021 Admission
Procedure
Date
Note
Submission of All Required
Application Materials
13 May (Wed) ~
18 Sep (Fri) 2020
※ By Email
Document Screening and Online Video Interview
Mid Oct 2020
Use laptop or mobile
Notification of the Admission Result
(Including Scholarship)
26 Oct (Mon) 2020
By Email
Submission of consul’s confirmation or Apostille documents
Mid Dec 2020
By Post
Orientation
February 2021
Will be noticed
※ Completed application and materials should be sent by deadline through email to the following address : mains@skhu.ac.kr
  • Inquiry : mains@skhu.ac.kr / 82-2-2610-4223(in Korean), 4324(in English)  
  • Website : http://eng.skhu.ac.kr
 
  1. Admission Requirements
  • Applicants who have a bachelor’s or higher degree, or have university graduate equivalency approved by an authorized organization.
  • Official English language ability test result within 2 years.
(The minimum requirement for any of the following : TOEFL 530, CBT 197, iBT 71, IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2, TEPS 600, New TEPS 326)
Under the Ministry of Education regulations, applicants with degrees above university degrees in countries where English is their native language or use it as a legal official language can be exempted from the official English test results. However, applicants in countries that use English as their legal official language are encouraged to submit the application documents together when submitting the application documents because the admission committee may request submission of the official English test results based on the results of the video interview. If successful applicants who are required to submit their official English test results fail to submit them within the period, the admission committee will cancel their acceptance.
  1. Evaluation
  • Procedure: Document Screening and Online Video Interview
※ Basically it uses skype but can use other apps if necessary
(Applicants who are deemed unsuitable for this program through
document screening will not be interviewed)
  • Method: The Admission committee will review and decide who will be offered admission and scholarship based on document and interview evaluation score
  1. Documents Required
No
Document
Note
1
Completed and Signed Application Form
ONE 3.5cmx4.5cm colour photograph taken within the last six months with a white or light background.
Please don’t send the application form to the scanned document.
2
Certificate of previous degree
Certificate of graduation above a bachelor’s degree certified by the university
3
Official Transcript from the university previously attended
Official full transcript showing the grades of whole semesters
4
Two letters of recommendation(No specific form)
From two different persons each who are well aware of your work, career and study
5
Official English language ability test result within 2 years of the application
The minimum requirement for any of the following:
  • TOEFL 530, CBT 197, iBT 71, IELTS 5.5,
CEFR B2, TEPS 600, New TEPS 326
 
If the applicant is waiting for the result of the English test at the time of application for the MAINS, please specify in the application form about the expected date of the test result.
6
A photocopy of passport
Please check the expiration date of your passport. If the expiration period is less than 18 to 24 months, it is recommended to reissue.
7
Information Collection and Use Agreement
 
8
The remittance receipt
To prove the payment of the application fee
9
Family registration certificate
Only for Chinese, Cuban, Syrian, Macedonian, Kosovan applicants
  • All documents need to be translated and notarized if the original is not in English.
  • Successful applicants should submit by post their degree and transcripts with the confirmation of Korean Consular or Apostille.(mandatory) Please submit them to the following address :
 
MAINS Admission Manager, Admission Management Office
SungKongHoe University
Seoungyeonguan Building 2nd Floor,
320 Yeon Dong-Ro, Guro-Gu,
Seoul, 08359, KOREA
 
 
 
  1. Application Fee: KRW 70,000 or USD 70
Please pay the application fee before sending the application documents by email. Because the applicant has to submit a remittance receipt together other documents. It should be remembered that the process of admission can only be started once the application fee is received by the university. Application fee is non-refundable.
* Bank details for overseas remittance
  • Account : KEB Hana Bank / 240-890005-67704 / Sungkonghoe University
  • Open bank address : 218 Gyeongin-ro Guro-gu, Seoul, Korea, KEB HANA Bank Oryu-dong branch
  • Swift code : KOEXKRSE
 
  1. CURRICULUM
  1. Course Nature
The Master of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies (MAINS) is an alternative social studies program taught in English with special reference to Asian civil society. The program particularly encourages applications from Asian and Korean students with experiences of non-governmental activities in Asia. MAINS offers an advanced and intensive program, with teaching methods based on individual self-research, mutual learning by students and thematic approaches. Reading and writing as well as debating and interacting with other students are strongly emphasized.
 
  1. Course Structure
MAINS is 18-month, 4-quarter (including 6 months for field work and thesis writing) program consisting of core courses, elective courses, and a thesis, making up a total of 24 credits. There is a particular theme given to each quarter as a synthesizing structure. Class schedules run from one quarter to the next with a week’s break in between. Quarters have a varied number of sessions. Some courses may be taught intensively by visiting lecturers. Courses combine lectures and student-led seminars.
Spring Term : Feb 22th ~ May28th 2021
Break : May31~Jun6 2021
Summer Term : Jun7 ~ Aug27  2021
Break :  Aug30~ Sep5
Autumn Term : Sep6 ~ Dec10  2021
 
  1. Core Courses
  • Tutorials with the academic director
 
 
 
  1. Elective Courses
* Not all elective courses are available each year.
  • International Development in Context
  • Critical Peace Studies and International Relations
  • Global Human Rights
  • Global Asia Feminism
  • NGO Management in Development
  • Political Change and Civil Society in Asia
  • Migration and Multiculturalism in Asia
  • Modern Korean History and the Process of Past dealing
  • MAINS Tutorial1~3
 
  1. Special Program (non-credit courses)
  • Korean Language
 
  1. THESIS
All students are required to write a thesis or an equivalent research report on topics related to social changes and non-profit/governmental sectors with special reference to democracy, development or civil society in Asia. Emphasis on the applicants’ own country context are strongly recommended. A special attention will be given to this point when the application is considered. The choice of topic outlined above will be the priority point of consideration throughout the entire admission process. In the third quarter, students should be able to defend their thesis/report proposal in the form of the First Chapter of the thesis. The fourth—the final—quarter is devoted mostly to the thesis/report, including field work, data collecting, writing-up and the final submission of the thesis.
 
  1. TUITION, SCHOLARSHIP & OTHER EXPENSES
Full or partial scholarships may be given to the qualified students. Those from developing countries in Asia will be given a priority for scholarship.
  The scholarship consists of the tuition fees and the living stipend. The level of scholarship for each student is decided upon on the individual basis of the student’s academic aptitude, grade, needs, and the individual circumstances. The scholarship for tuition and living expense is only given to the students who reside in Korea throughout the entire period of the first THREE terms. Provision of scholarship may be made invalid when the student takes ‘time-off’ during the course or when the student’s academic achievement for the previous term falls behind the school regulation.
The scholarship of the tuition fee (for the entire four quarters) may be the full scholarship or the partial scholarship depending on our criteria. Please note that the scholarship does not cover the expense for the field work and writing-up of thesis for the last (fourth) quarter. The recipient of the scholarship will be notified of the result at the time of the notification of the admission offer.
The living stipend for its recipient is provided for the first THREE quarters while the student is in residence within the university. It must be remembered that the provision of living stipend is meant to cover only the accommodation fee of the university dormitory, basic food and the very minimum level of expense for living. The student is expected to supplement the living stipend with his/her own resource for other expenses such as health insurance, transportation, books, daily commodities, pocket money, etc.
Please note that it is an important requirement under the Korean law that the international student has to take up private health insurance while he/she is in enrolment with the university. This means that the new student must have valid insurance from the start of their study in Korea until they leave the country. Those who opt to take up private insurance from their own country should submit the copy of the insurance to the university when they arrive in Korea. The insurance document must be written in English. In case the student wishes to take up insurances in Korea, the university will provide the student with relevant information for private insurances, but ultimately the insurance is the student’s own responsibility.
 
 
  1. FACULTY
Dean of Graduate School
Prof. Kim, Yong-Deug (tel : +82-2-2610-4338, E-mail : ydkim@skhu.ac.kr)
Director of the MAINS
Prof. Park, Kyung Tae (tel : +82-2-2610-4235, E-mail : ktpark@skhu.ac.kr)
Board of Teaching and Resource Persons
Prof. Kim, Dong-Choon
Prof. Cho, Hyo-Je
Prof. Park, Eunhong
Prof. Jeong, Yeonbo
Prof. Hyunjun Shin
Admission / Administrative Office of the MAINS
Mr. Sohn, Jungrak (tel : +82-2-2610-4223(KOR), E-mail : MAINS@skhu.ac.kr)
Mr. Lee, Sewook (tel : +82-2-2610-4324(KOR), E-mail : sulee@skhu.ac.kr)
 

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