Candidates for the MA are expected to take a balanced program including, among the twelve courses, at least two courses in each of the following areas: language and linguistics, literature, and civilization. As one of the twelve courses, candidates must take one Independent Study course (RUSS 6888) on the Middlebury campus, in which they complete the required MA thesis paper in Russian. Research for this paper is normally started during the candidate’s year abroad in Moscow, or during the second or third graduate summer at Middlebury.
Upon acceptance to the School of Russian, applicants take an on-line grammar exam and an oral exam by telephone to determine their eligibility for the graduate level program. Applicants must score at least 60 points on the grammar exam and demonstrate at least intermediate high oral proficiency (rated according to ACTFL guidelines). In addition, all applicants to the graduate program, including non-degree students, must submit a five-page writing sample in Russian. M.A. candidates must submit a one-page summary, in English, of the proposed topic for their MA thesis. Students take oral and written entrance exams prior to course registration and exit exams in grammar, oral proficiency, and writing near the end of the program. A normal load is three courses per summer. Middlebury College awards one unit of graduate credit (a unit equals three semester hours) for each graduate course.
Students may enroll in the Masters Degree program, the Doctor of Modern Languages Degree program, or as a non-degree student taking graduate courses for transfer credit or for personal development. The MA program is outlined below. The DML program is offered for students with a mastery of two foreign languages (French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish). Introduced in 1928 and unique to Middlebury College, the DML curriculum is highly flexible to accommodate the professional needs and commitments of teachers. For more information, contact the Language Schools (languages@middlebury.edu or 802.443.5100) to request the DML brochure.
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