M.A. Course Requirements
- 30 credits (i.e., 10 courses) in Romance Languages and Literatures courses.
- MA candidates may receive a maximum of 9 credits for courses taken in languages/literatures other than the primary language/literature of study, including courses on literary theory, pedagogy, and linguistics. Included in this limit, and with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee, up to 6 credits may be earned from courses in related areas of study.
- Distribution Requirement: Each student in the French M.A. Program must take at least one course from every area of the curriculum (Medieval, Early Modern, 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century). The fulfillment of the Distribution Requirement is to be overseen and verified by the Faculty Advisor.
- Hispanic Studies students must take a minimum of 9 credits in Peninsular Spanish Studies and 9 credits in Spanish American Studies.
- Entering MA students in French and Hispanic Studies are strongly encouraged to take RL 704 and RL 901, respectively, during their first year of graduate study.
- Students wishing to register for Consortium Institution courses must secure permission to do so from the head of their language section the semester before actually enrolling.
Second-Year Evaluation
Each of the three language programs has its own mode of evaluating progress during the second year of the M.A. program. For a detailed description see the Graduate Handbook.
- A research project and oral presentation (French)
- A student-led conversation on literary topics (Italian)
- An oral, comprehensive examination (Hispanic Studies)
M.A. Course Requirements
- 30 credits (i.e., 10 courses) in Romance Languages and Literatures courses.
- MA candidates may receive a maximum of 9 credits for courses taken in languages/literatures other than the primary language/literature of study, including courses on literary theory, pedagogy, and linguistics. Included in this limit, and with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee, up to 6 credits may be earned from courses in related areas of study.
- Distribution Requirement: Each student in the French M.A. Program must take at least one course from every area of the curriculum (Medieval, Early Modern, 18th Century, 19th Century, 20th Century). The fulfillment of the Distribution Requirement is to be overseen and verified by the Faculty Advisor.
- Hispanic Studies students must take a minimum of 9 credits in Peninsular Spanish Studies and 9 credits in Spanish American Studies. Entering MA students in French and Hispanic Studies are strongly encouraged to take RL 704 and RL 901, respectively, during their first year of graduate study.
- Students wishing to register for Consortium Institution courses must secure permission to do so from the head of their language section the semester before actually enrolling.
Second-Year Evaluation
Each of the three language programs has its own mode of evaluating progress during the second year of the M.A. program. For a detailed description see the Graduate Handbook.
- A research project and oral presentation (French)
- A student-led conversation on literary topics (Italian)
- An oral, comprehensive examination (Hispanic Studies)
Student Standing
Students must maintain an average of B or better in all graduate courses to remain in good standing. Only students in good standing are eligible for financial assistance, including Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Assistantships, and Fellow-in-Residence positions (Maison française and Casa hispánica).
Time Limit
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences stipulates that a student must complete all requirements for the MA degree within five consecutive years from the date of her/his acceptance into the program. Despite the University's five-year time limit for finishing the MA degree, the Department fully expects students to complete all requirements within two years of entering the program.
Second Language Study
Since all doctoral programs in Romance Languages require knowledge of at least two foreign languages, students contemplating doctoral study in this area after receiving their MA degree are strongly urged to acquire a second Romance language as soon as possible in their graduate career. Students who pass the Department's translation examination in a second language will receive official recognition of this fact.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts (MBA/MA)
Several joint-degree programs offer unique opportunities for students interested in careers in international management, particularly in emerging markets, where in-depth knowledge of culture and fluency in languages are critically important. These specialty programs include:
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Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in French Studies
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Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies
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Master of Business Administration/Master of Arts in Italian Studies
For information on these programs' admission requirements, contact: Boston College Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Director of Admissions; McGuinn 221; Chestnut Hill, MA 02467; 617-552-3265.
Christine, Nadiege, & Emmanuelle