M.A. Requirements

This page has information on both the M.A. Thesis and Examination Requirements as well as the General Rules and Requirements for the M.A. Degree

M.A. Thesis and Examination Requirements

  1. The M.A. Thesis
    The thesis will usually grow out of the student's work in graduate courses and may be the revised and expanded version of a term or seminar paper. Its topic should be of such a scope (c. 12,000 words) that the work can be completed within one semester. The student will ask the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work to act as Thesis Advisor. With the advice and approval of the Graduate Committee, the Thesis Advisor will select a Second and a Third Reader to complete the Thesis Advisory Committee. The thesis topic must be approved by the Advisory Committee and the Graduate Committee by the Drop/Add deadline of the semester in which the student intends to defend the thesis. The student should ordinarily submit the completed thesis to the Advisory Committee at least 45 days before the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred. An earlier deadline may be set by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. The Department will accept the thesis upon approval by the Thesis Advisor and at least one of the other Readers. The Graduate School requires that such approval be received at least 30 days before the commencement at which the degree is to be conferred. Two weeks prior to that commencement date, two formally approved copies of the thesis, complete with abstracts and signed by the Thesis Advisor and one other member of the Advisory Committee, must be filed with the Graduate School.
  2. The Written Comprehensive Examinations:
    In the spring semester the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Graduate Committee, will appoint the Chairs of the Examination Committees for the following academic year. Students must select the track(s) on which they wish to be examined and submit a reading list to the Graduate Committee by the end of the second semester in the program, normally in the spring of their first year. Each student's reading list must be approved by the Chair of the Examination Committee and the Graduate Committee. The reading list forms the basis for the written Comprehensive Exam, which is normally taken in the spring of the second year.
  3. Oral Comprehensive Examination:
    1. Plan I. After the thesis has been accepted by the Department and the written examination has been passed, the student is required to take an Oral Comprehensive Examination of no more than one hour that will focus on the thesis. The examination is open to members of the Faculty and will be given by a Committee consisting of the Thesis Advisor as Chair and two Readers appointed by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.  
    2. Plan II . The Associate Chair of Graduate Studies will select three examiners for a student pursuing Plan II from those faculty involved in the composition and marking of the written exams. The Oral Comprehensive Examination of no more than one hour will cover work done in formal courses and seminars in the major field, as well as the reading list for the exam. The Examination is open to members of the Faculty and will be given by the Committee as constituted above.

A Comprehensive Examination may be postponed for one semester with the approval of the Graduate Committee and the Chair of the Department. Postponement of the examination for a second time will require the approval of the Faculty. Under Graduate School Rules, a failed M.A. Comprehensive Examination cannot be retaken until at least 3 months have elapsed. M.A. Comprehensive Examinations may only be retaken once.

General Rules and Requirements for the M.A. Degree

Entrance Requirements
A Baccalaureate Degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (=B) is required for admission to the M.A. program.

  1. Ability to pursue advanced study and research as judged by the student's scholastic record.
  2. Adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.

Residence Requirements
At least two semesters or three summer sessions in residence are required for the M.A.

Transfer of Credit
Up to 9 semester hours of credit toward the M.A. may be transferred from another institution or from the University of أغجاض±²¥'s ACCESS program; under certain circumstances, students having obtained a Baccalaureate Degree from this University may transfer up to 9 hours of residence credit at the 5000-level toward the M.A.

Graduate Proseminar
All incoming graduate students in Classics are required to take a one-semester non-credit proseminar in the fall semester of their first year. This proseminar meets once a week and is organized by the Graduate Program Assistant and the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. Each faculty member who is present that semester holds one meeting; topics include various aspects of the field and of the profession, as well as particular research skills.

Quality of Graduate Work
Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (=B). No more than six hours of C may be accumulated in work that is presented for a Master's Degree; any hours of C must be offset by an equal number of hours of A. Work receiving a grade of C- may not be counted toward the degree.

Course Load
All full-time students in the M.A. program are strongly encouraged to take more courses in the Department than the minimum required for the degree. The recommended course load consists of 3 courses (9 hours) per semester. Students who do not have teaching obligations and are supported either by a fellowship or a research assistanship are expected to carry this course load.

Part-Time Students
Students wishing to pursue a degree on a part-time basis (i.e., carrying less than the minimum number of courses per semester required by the University) must so indicate when applying for admission to the Department. Part-time students will arrange with the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies for their individual course of study and examination schedule; however, examinations for part-time students will normally be given only at the time of regularly scheduled examinations of the same kind. Part-time students will not normally be considered for graduate teaching appointments.

Independent Study
The Department does not recommend Independent Study courses for students in the M.A. program. All independent study courses must be approved by a faculty sponsor, the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, and the Chair of the Department. In accordance with Graduate School rules, independent study may account for no more than 25% of course work presented for an M.A. degree.

Termination
Under Graduate School rules, a Comprehensive Examination may be retaken only once.

Progress Toward the Degree
Students are expected to make reasonable progress toward their degrees. They may be required by the Department to take their written or oral examinations at specified regular examination times. Two years of study are considered a reasonable period for the M.A., recognizing that for students combining teaching certification with the Teaching of Latin track this period may be extended. Successful progress toward the degree is a determining factor in the award of financial support to students in the graduate program. Under Graduate School rules, all work for the M.A. must be completed within four years or six consecutive summers. For possible extensions, students should consult with the Graduate School.