Master's Program

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M.A. Program

The master's degree in literature is separate from the Ph.D. program and is intended for students whose aim is to proceed to a Ph.D. program at another institution and who elect to qualify for the M.A. degree. Priority for admission is given to students interested in underrepresented areas of study within the Literature Department's offerings, such as the foreign language literatures, and in critical theory. Requirements for the M.A. degree routinely cannot be completed in less than one year; however, the maximum time for completion of the degree is two years.

The requirements are as follows:

• A one-quarter Proseminar to be taken in the first year.

• Seven courses leading to the definition of an area of concentration.

• A master's thesis, written in conjunction with a Literature 299, Thesis Research course.

The thesis for a master's degree in literature will be a substantial critical work. Typically, a thesis will range in length from 30 to 35 pages, plus a bibliography. The project must be developed in close consultation with a faculty advisor (chair of the thesis committee) and approved by additional committee members, chosen by the student and the advisor.

The Literature Department does not guarantee financial support to students pursuing the M.A. degree. Admission to the M.A. program does not constitute admission to the Ph.D. program, and students may not transfer into the Ph.D. program from the M.A. program (they must reapply).