All RSEA degree candidates must complete a thesis under the guidance of and in close consultation with their thesis adviser. The minimum thesis standards for the RSEA A.M. degree are:

• The thesis must adhere to standards of academic integrity as outlined in the Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies.
• The thesis should demonstrate original research and a fresh interpretation of a subject. 
• The thesis should demonstrate significant use of primary sources in one or more East Asian languages. 
• The thesis should demonstrate the student's familiarity with previous scholarship related to the subject matter. 
• The thesis should follow the appropriate scholarly format and include proper scholarly apparatus, including footnotes and bibliography.
• The body of text (i.e., excluding bibliography and other supplementary materials) should be 60-80 pages in length (approximately 15,000 -20,000 words, excluding footnotes).

Current students should refer to the RSEA Sharepoint for additional details and specific policies.