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Graduate Degree Program Description

Master Of Arts, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

Advisers and Committees

1. During the first week of the first quarter of enrollment, each M.A. candidate who has not established contact with a faculty adviser will meet with the Chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee. At this meeting the student and the Chair will review the student's anticipated program of study (including how the research language requirement is to be fulfilled), agree upon an adviser to be assigned to that student, and determine the suitability of the assigned faculty adviser vis-à-vis the student's program and goals.
   
   
2. The results of this meeting, along with suggestions for members of the student's Examination Committee, should be recorded in the student's Graduate Studies Program Record and forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee by the faculty adviser. The student and faculty adviser will meet during the first two weeks of each subsequent quarter of the student's enrollment to review progress toward the degree and discuss possible thesis topics and/or examination fields. Reports of these meetings will be recorded by the faculty adviser on the student's Graduate Studies Program Record, and the student's progress should be personally communicated to the Graduate Studies Committee by the faculty adviser at least once a quarter.
   
   
3. A student selecting the thesis option, in close consultation with the faculty adviser, will begin--as early as possible--to draft the M.A. Thesis Prospectus. This Prospectus, when the faculty adviser has given approval, will be forwarded to the Examination Committee. The Committee will review the Prospectus and communicate its recommendations to the faculty adviser. The student and faculty adviser will also select the student's secondary field of concentration, and together they will formulate a reading list to guide the student in preparation for the examination on this other field.
   
   
4. A student selecting the non-thesis option, in close consultation with the faculty adviser, will determine--as early as possible--the three fields which will be covered in the Master's Examination. The adviser will then direct the student to those faculty members who will assign the student a reading list for the primary and two secondary fields. These lists are to guide the student in preparation for the Master's Examination.
   
   
5. The M.A. reading lists should include a core component for a secondary field, with an appropriately expanded specification of readings for a primary field, to be identified in consultation with the relevant faculty member(s). These reading lists should include sources and materials covered in course work.
   
   
6. The structure and administration of the Master's Examination will be determined by the Examination Committee. The Examination Committee will determine, based on the student's coursework, the thesis, the oral examination and the written examination on the other field (thesis option) or the examinations on the three fields (non-thesis option) whether the student is qualified to receive the M.A. degree. The Committee's decision, including recommendations concerning the student's ability to continue on to doctoral studies at The Ohio State University, will be forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee in the form of a written evaluation. This evaluation will note any particular strengths or weaknesses of the student and may include recommendations for addressing the latter.
   
   
7. All requirements for the M.A. degree (either the thesis or non-thesis option) in NELC must be completed within six years. It is the joint responsibility of the student and the faculty adviser to see that the student continues to make reasonable progress toward the completion of the M.A. degree throughout enrollment in the program.