The graduate program offers a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) degree with a concentration in Southeast Asia, and supports a focus on Southeast Asia in a variety of doctoral programs. All program affairs are coordinated by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies which is a major component of Ohio University's widely respected Center for International Studies.

The academic program of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is intended to give individuals freedom to pursue interests best suited to their professional and academic goals within an international or cross-cultural context. Students entering the program are often seeking in careers in foreign service, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international development agencies, as well as scholarly careers in teaching and research.

Faculty in the Center for Southeast Asian Studies have research and teaching interests relevant to the entire region. A special strength is the presence of the distinguished Tun Abdul Razak Visiting Professor in Southeast Asia Studies. Students with special interests in Malaysia are able to work closely with the Razak Professor and take courses with special themes such as "Focus on Malaysia" and special seminars in the field of the Razak Professor's expertise.

The Indonesian language is taught in a course-based format through the advanced level. In addition the Critical Language Program coordinated by the Department of Linguistics makes it possible to offer other S outheast Asian languages on demand, including Thai, Vietnamese, and Khmer, among others.