Graduate
The Department administers three Master of Arts degree programs:
Additionally, the Department participates in a program for the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with the Lynch School of Education (LSOE) and entertains applications for dual M.B.A./M.A. and J.D./M.A. degrees.
A B.A./M.A. option is available for Boston College undergraduates.
For admission to M.A. candidacy in Russian or Slavic Studies, students must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Russian language equivalent at the very least to the proficiency expected at the end of three years (advanced level) of college study. They must also be acquainted with the major facts of Russian literature and history.
Students applying in Linguistics, a program which stresses the interdisciplinary nature of Linguistics (i.e., not restricted to Slavic topics), should have a good preparation in languages and some undergraduate-level work in Linguistics.
Slavic Studies and Linguistics programs involve a significant proportion of work in other departments of the university, and candidates in these areas are be expected to meet all prerequisites for such courses and seminars.
Students must also be prepared, in the course of studies, to deal with materials in various languages as required.
Students with an undergraduate degree who require preparation for admission to the M.A. may apply as special students. This mode of application is suited to those who are looking for post-undergraduate courses without enrolling in a formal degree program and for guests from other universities who are enrolling in the BC St. Petersburg program.
All M.A. programs require:
- a minimum of 10 one-semester courses (30 credits) in prescribed graduate-level course work
- qualifying and special-field examinations
- a supervised research paper of publishable quality on an approved topic.
The grades for the qualifying examinations, special-field examinations, and the research paper are reported to the Office of Student Services as a single comprehensive-examination grade. Comprehensive examination sectors are in written or oral format, depending on the nature of the subject matter.
The Department has exemption procedures to allow limited substitution of requirements. A student may apply up to two courses (six credits) of advanced work from other universities or research institutes toward program requirements, provided this work has not been previously applied to an awarded degree.
Courses numbered below 3000 do not normally apply for graduate degree credit but are open to interested graduate and special students.
A student having sufficient reason to request exemption from one or more specifications in MA(T) requirements published by the Department should after consultation with the Chair, file separate petition for each provision concerned and which presents at least the following information:
- the item from which exemption is requested
- the reason why such exemption should be granted
- a proposed study or examination area which would substitute for the otherwise required area
- a demonstration of the relevance of the area proposed under (c) to the nature of the degree sought
- the names of the persons with whom the applicant has consulted and any additional considerations
The Department will rule on all such requests made during the academic year within two weeks of receipt. The chair will arrange an interview where the Department either tends to a negative decision or where more information is required.
The Department intends the fullest possible implementation of its requirements, since the professional and academic quality of SEL degrees depends upon well-observed standards; this, of course, directly benefits students in the value accruing. to their degree.
The faculty, for its part, commits itself to commensurate instructional effort, fair administration of degree requirements, and an open attitude toward all considerations and evaluations reasonably presented by its students, whether individually or as a body.