Master of Arts in Applied Languages in Russian
Acquire specific skills, knowledge, and experience applicable to an individual career path with our one-year MA in Applied Languages in Russian with a specialization in Diplomacy.
Students spend a summer in Vermont at the School of Russian followed by an academic year at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in Moscow, Russia, and a final summer in Russia or Vermont. Students take academic coursework in traditional subjects, interdisciplinary areas, and pre-professional disciplines, with a focus on diplomacy and related fields, and complete an internship or thesis related to this specialization.
The MA program consists of 12 courses, beginning with a summer in Vermont (3 courses). Students who choose the Internship Track will register for 8 courses during the academic year in Russia and complete an internship during the final summer, which counts as a course. Students who choose the Thesis Track will register for 6 courses during the academic year in Russia and return to Vermont for a final summer, during which they will defend the thesis. The thesis will be based on research conducted during the academic year and drafted by the end of the spring term.
Specialization in Diplomacy
I. Internship Track
Summer in Vermont (6-week session): 3 courses
- Advanced Russian for Graduate Students
- Elective in Russian culture, civilization, or society
- Elective in any area (literature, politics, history, film, linguistics, popular culture, etc.)
Fall semester in Moscow, Russia: 4 courses
Four courses in international relations, global and regional studies, and the history and practice of diplomacy. Required courses may include:
- History of International Relations (Part 1)
- Institutions of Modern Diplomacy
- The Role of Diplomacy in Solving Global and Regional Problems
- Language of Diplomacy (Part 1) or History of Russian Philosophy
Spring semester in Moscow, Russia: 4 courses
Required courses may include:
- History of International Relations (Part 2)
- Legal Framework and Practice of the Consular Service
- Situational Diplomatic Workshop / Fundamentals of the Negotiation Process
- Language of Diplomacy (Part 2) or Russian Foreign Policy
Final summer in Russia: counts as 1 course
Academically directed internship; the School in Russia will assist you in identifying an appropriate internship.
II. Thesis Track
Summer in Vermont (6-week session): 3 courses
- Advanced Russian for Graduate Students
- Elective in Russian culture, civilization, or society
- Elective in any area (literature, politics, history, film, linguistics, popular culture, etc.)
Fall semester in Moscow, Russia: 3 courses plus research
Three courses in international relations, global and regional studies, and the history and practice of diplomacy. Required courses may include:
- History of International Relations (Part 1)
- Institutions of Modern Diplomacy
- The Role of Diplomacy in Solving Global and Regional Problems
Thesis research begins on an approved topic in diplomacy, international relations, or a related field; a thesis advisor is assigned
Spring semester in Moscow, Russia: 3 courses plus research
Required courses may include:
- History of International Relations (Part 2)
- Legal Framework and Practice of the Consular Service
- Situational Diplomatic Workshop: Fundamentals of the Negotiation Process
Thesis research continues; student completes draft by end of term
Final summer in Vermont: 3 courses including thesis
- Elective in Russian culture, civilization, or society
- Elective in any area (literature, politics, history, film, linguistics, popular culture, etc.)
- Completion of thesis
- Defense of thesis at Graduate Symposium, a mini conference at which traditional and applied MA students present their work to fellow students and faculty