Program Description

The Master of Arts in Humanities is an online synchronously delivered, all-virtual program. Most courses are offered in a seminar format: discussion-based graduate-level courses focused on reading, open and regular dialogue, collaborative and interactive interpretation, research and writing. The curriculum stresses an interdisciplinary approach, embracing a variety of fields, while allowing conventional disciplinary studies as an integral part of the program. Students consult with the Program Director to determine individual plans of study. After completing a prescribed core of humanities courses, the student elects one of four areas of concentration (Arts and Society; Cultural Studies; Historical Studies; Literary Studies). Although the student’s plan may encompass courses from more than one area of concentration it will have strong intellectual coherence. The program enhances the student’s ability to deal critically and flexibly with intellectual, social, political, historical, literary, or artistic issues with a broad humanistic perspective. The Graduate Humanities Program recommends that students not concerned with pursuing the degree (such as teachers using classes for certification and those who want to take courses for their own continuing education) to enroll as non-degree students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program website https://www.marshall.edu/graduatehumanities/ and contact the Graduate Humanities Program Director before officially applying to the program. 

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission. GRE scores are not required. 

Specific to the Graduate Humanities program, applicants must:

• have an undergraduate major in the humanities broadly defined;
• have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 from the bachelor’s degree transcript; and, 
• submit an essay (sent to the Graduate Humanities Program Director). This essay should elaborate the applicant's degree goals and reasons for selecting the M.A. in Humanities. It should be specific with examples and include descriptions of key texts important to the applicant. 

In addition, a virtual interview is required after an application has been received and before a final decision is made. The Program Director will schedule the interview. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their essay, degree goals, and reasons for selecting the M.A. in Humanities. 

Applicants who do not meet all of the above admissions requirements may be admitted provisionally. A provisionally admitted student must earn a grade of B or above in their first twelve hours of coursework in the humanities.

Graduation Requirements

Before registration for the 12th graduate credit hour, all graduate students must complete an official Plan of Study form to be approved by the  Program Director and submitted to the Dean's office.

Within a concentration, a student may select courses to develop personal interests. Given the interdisciplinary approach of the program, all 15 hours need not necessarily be the same course designator. Students may embed graduate certificates (such as the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies) within the requirements for the concentration and electives. 

No more than twelve hours may be taken at the 500 level. If applicable, students may request an independent study course on a topic unavailable through regular courses. In such a case, the student will work under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The Program Director must approve the independent study.

Degree students are expected to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average in their courses. 

For further information on the degree program, students should consult the Graduate Humanities web site https://www.marshall.edu/graduatehumanities/ . Because degree students in the Graduate Humanities program have individualized plans of study, they are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the Program Director. 

Note: Some courses related to the interdisciplinary approach of the Graduate Humanities program may be appropriate for the plan of study in the M.A. in Humanities.

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Humanities requires 36 hours to complete the degree. Students have the options of a thesis or final project. Students electing the thesis must complete both HUMN 680 Independent Research Symposium and HUMN 681 Independent Research Symposium. Students electing the project option must  complete HUMN 680 Independent Research Symposium only.

With both options, students must complete a final comprehensive portfolio assessment, included with the thesis or final project. All individual plans of study are organized according to the following general structure:  

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Humanities Core
HUMN 600	Intro to Study in Humanities	3
HUMN 604	Expository Wrtng for Research	3
Select one of the following:		3
HUMN 601	Literary Theory & Criticism
HUMN 602	Historical Studies
HUMN 603	History & Theory of the Arts
HUMN 605	Wstrn Trdtns/Contemp Cultures
Concentration
Select a minimum of 15 hours from the four following areas to develop a concentration in cultural, historical, literary studies or arts and society (given the interdisciplinary approach of the program, all 15 hours need not necessarily be the same course designator): A&S, CULS, HIST, LITS		15
Program Electives
Select 6-9 hours		6-9
Independent Research Project or Thesis
Select one of the following:		3-6
Independent Research Project (3 hours)
Thesis (6 hours)
Total Credit Hours		36