2. Minimum Course Load. The Graduate School requires that students with a TA-ship or UGS carry a minimum of 12 credits each quarter. In the two quarters preceding their MA examinations, students may register for just two courses in French; the remaining credits will be research courses. Otherwise, students may not register for research credit unless approved by the DGS for thesis research.

3. Required Courses. Research and Bibliography (RLL 763), Introduction to Literary Theory (713). Two additional credits in Introduction to Graduate Study and Professional Practices are required of all graduate students but do not count toward degrees. Teaching Methods (775) and Seminar (776-777-778) are also required for all TAs.

4. Curriculum. A series of 700-level courses designed for MA students survey and integrate French and Francophone literatures in useful and innovative ways. MA students may take 800-level courses but will not normally take 900-level (doctoral) courses.

5. Concentration. Students must take at least 16 graduate credits in each of two areas of concentration: French or Francophone Literature and Culture. The remaining 8 hours (2 courses) may be taken in any area including pedagogy (RLL Teaching Methods, RLL Second-Language Acquisition, RLL Computer-Assisted Language Learning); alternately, students may take additional courses in literature and culture.

6. Independent Study. Subject to the approval of the DGS, MA students may be permitted a maximum of one Independent Study for a maximum of 4 credits.

7. Thesis. Students writing an MA thesis will take the same MA exam as other students but will register for 4-8 MA thesis hours in place of 1-2 graduate courses. Students wishing to write a thesis must be in good standing, demonstrate potential for research, and have a record of normal academic progress. Students whose home countries require a thesis are eligible to write one if they meet the requirements above. Students wishing to write a thesis must apply no later than the autumn quarter of the second year. Applicants must secure a letter of approval from their thesis director and submit it along with a prospectus and a letter explaining the reasons for the thesis to the DGS. The DGS will submit the three documents to the graduate faculty for possible approval. If the project is approved, students must complete the work by August of their second year.

8. Students must read the works on the reading list and pass the MA exam.

9. Second Language. By the end of their second year, MA students are required to demonstrate knowledge of a second Romance Language by passing the reading exams in French or Spanish (given in March); passing the reading courses French/Spanish 897-8-9; passing a 100-level course sequence in French, Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese; passing two graduate courses in the second language; scoring into French/ Spanish 251 or above on the Placement Test; or submitting other evidence (e.g., proof of undergraduate language study) that documents reading knowledge of a second Romance language. Students are encouraged to take courses aimed at fulfilling the language requirements during the summer.

10. Graduate Work Beyond the MA Degree. When students complete the requirements for the MA, the graduate faculty review their records in order to decide whether they should be encouraged to enter the PhD program. The Department Head will notify students, in writing, of the faculty's decision (and of the results of the MA exam). Students not admitted to the PhD program may continue to take courses, though not as a degree candidate.

11. Years of Support for MA Students. MA students in good standing have a maximum of two years of financial support. At the end of the first year of support, the faculty votes on the second year.

12. Time Limit. Students must complete all MA requirements within seven years of entering the program.