Slavic and Eastern Languages and Literatures
Program Overview
The Department administers three different Master of Arts degree programs—Linguistics, Russian, and Slavic Studies.
A B.A.-M.A. option is available for Boston College undergraduates.
Graduate Admission
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 that 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.
Russian, Slavic Studies, and Linguistics programs involve a significant proportion of work in other departments of the University, and candidates in these areas are 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. program 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.
Degree Requirements
All M.A. programs require:
- a minimum of thirty 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 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.
Course Information
Courses numbered below 3000 do not normally apply for graduate degree credit but are open to interested graduate and special students.