Degree Programs: Full-Time/Part-Time: Free-Standing M.A in Slavic Languages; Free-Standing M.A. in Slavic Cultures; Free-Standing M.A. in Russian Translation
The Department of Slavic Languages offers degrees in Russian, Czech, Polish, South Slavic, and Ukrainian literature. For the M.A. degree, students work in their primary literature. Qualified applicants who do not intend to continue beyond the M.A. degree may apply for admission as candidates for the free-standing M.A. degree in Slavic Languages. In addition to the free-standing M.A. degree in Slavic Languages, the department offers free-standing M.A. degrees in Russian Translation and in Slavic Cultures. These, too, are non-sequential programs of study that do not lead to a doctorate.
M.A. in Russian Translation
Students with strong Russian reading skills and a practical interest in translation may apply for the M.A. Program in Russian Translation. Students work with the director of the program, Professor Ronald Meyer (Harriman Institute) to select the most appropriate courses and projects. This program does not lead toward a doctorate.
M.A. in Slavic Cultures
Students with a cultural interest in Russia or Eastern Europe may apply for the M.A. Program in Slavic Cultures. Originally conceived to provide valuable training to New York area professionals working in enterprises that deal with Russia and Eastern Europe, the interdisciplinary M.A. in Slavic Cultures now serves a broad spectrum of students interested in the languages, cultures and history of that region. Students work with the Director of Graduate Studies to select the most appropriate courses in Slavic Languages and Literatures, Anthropology, Art History, History, Sociology, or any other department that offers course work in Slavic cultures. Proficiency in a Slavic language is desirable, but not required. This program does not lead toward a doctorate.
The Harriman Institute
The Harriman Institute is a center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European studies at Columbia that draws together faculty and students from different divisions and schools. Students in the Slavic graduate programs who are interested in area studies may want to pursue a Harriman Certificate. This certificate is open to graduate students in the sequential Ph.D. programs and the free-standing M.A. programs.
For admission to the respective programs in Slavic languages, the department requires four years of college-level instruction (or the equivalent) in Russian or three years (or the equivalent) in Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, or Ukrainian. An undergraduate major in the appropriate Slavic language and literature is desirable but not required. The department will also consider applicants with solid backgrounds in other literatures, history, philosophy, religion, or other disciplines in the humanities. For admission to the free-standing M.A. program in Russian Translation, the department requires four years of college-level instruction (or the equivalent) in Russian. For admission to the free-standing M.A. program in Slavic Cultures, knowledge of a Slavic language is recommended but not required.
All applicants to the program in Slavic Languages should indicate their choice of subfield (Russian, Czech, Polish, South Slavic, or Ukrainian).
In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one transcript showing courses and grades for each school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a writing sample (a course paper, term paper, etc.) and three letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.
Free-standing MA in Slavic Languages:
Deadline for Fall Admission: June 15
Deadline for Spring Admission: November 1
Resume Requirement: Yes
Writing Sample: Yes
GRE General: Yes
GRE Subject: No
MA in Russian Translation:
Deadline for Fall Admission: June 15
Deadline for Spring Admission: November 1
Resume Requirement: Yes
Writing Sample: Yes
GRE General: Yes
GRE Subject: No
M.A. in Slavic Cultures:
Deadline for Fall Admission: June 15
Deadline for Spring Admission: November 1
Resume Requirement: Yes
Writing Sample: Yes
GRE General: Yes
GRE Subject: No