Slavic Studies
Mailing Address:
Department of Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures (MC 315)
Office 1722 University Hall
601 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7117
Campus Location: UH 1729
Program Code: 20FS1684MA; TBA PhD
Telephone: (312) 996-5218
E-mail: mexotic@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/depts/slav/
Head of the Department: Michal Markowski
Director of Graduate Studies: Michal Markowski
Graduate Program Administrator: Rocio Garcia
The Department of Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures offers work leading to the MA and PhD in Slavic Studies with concentrations in Polish Literature and Culture and Russian Literature and Culture. The Interdepartmental Concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies, the Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Central and Eastern European Studies, and the Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Violence Studies are available to students in both programs.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Arts
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. Applicants without a substantial background in Slavic or Baltic languages and literatures will be considered for admission on limited status only and will be required to acquire an adequate level of language proficiency as outlined below before being granted full standing in the graduate program. Ordinarily an adequate background should include at least 9 semester (12 quarter) hours of upper-division undergraduate work broadly pertinent to the applicant’s intended graduate concentration and the level of fluency in the relevant Slavic or Baltic language equivalent to that attained in advanced conversation and composition courses offered by the department.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.50/4.00 in courses related to the area of concentration.
- Tests Required Applicants are urged to take the GRE. GRE General. Note: GRE General scores are mandatory for university fellowship applicants.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required.
- Personal Statement Required; 300 words, in English. The statement should summarize the applicant’s scholastic experience and career objectives.
- Samples of Writing Applicants are required to submit two samples of their written work, one in the language of their chosen concentration and one in English. Both samples should be in the form of an essay for an academic course.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Prior Degrees BA, MA, or equivalent degree in Polish, Russian, or a related field.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.50/4.00 in courses in the area for which the candidate is applying, Polish or Russian.
- Tests Required GRE General. Applicants are urged to take the GRE. Note: GRE General scores are mandatory for university fellowship candidates.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required.
- Personal Statement Required; 500 words minimum, in English. The statement should summarize the applicant’s long-term research and professional goals.
- Samples of Writing Applicants are required to submit two samples of their written work, one in the language of their chosen concentration, Polish or Russian, and one in English and both in the form of an essay for an academic course, ten page minimum each.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 37.
- Course Work Required Courses for the Concentrations in Polish Literature and Culture and Russian Literature and Culture: All students are required to take LCSL 502 and LCSL 503 in their first semester of study. In addition, students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours of didactic course work at the 400- and 500-levels in Polish and/or Russian, depending on the student’s concentration. Of the 32 credit hours, a minimum of three 500-level courses must be in the student’s chosen field of study and exclude LCSL 502 and LCSL 503. The director of graduate studies must approve courses taken outside the department that are to be used to meet these 32 credit hours, with the exception of History courses cross‐listed with Polish or Russian. LCSL 504, although not required, is highly recommended. Comprehensive Examination Required; written and oral.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Course work only. No other options are available.
- Other Requirements Course work required for certification in high school teaching is in addition to the above departmental MA requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Minimum Semester Hours Required: 96 from the baccalaureate; 64 from the master’s degree.
- Course Work A minimum of 32 hours of didactic course work (i.e., excluding independent studies, language acquisition courses, LCSL 502, LSCL 503, and LCSL 504, and any other extracurricular course not approved by the DGS) at the 400- and 500-levels. Of the 32 hours, a minimum of 12 must be at the 500-level. Eight of the 32 hours may be taken in other UIC programs and departments, provided the courses are related to the student’s concentration and are approved by the student’s academic advisor and the director of graduate studies.
- Required Courses: Students who have completed their MA at UIC: LCSL 504 and SLAV 599. Students who have completed their MA at another institution: LCSL 502, LCSL 503, LCSL 504, and SLAV 599. No more than 26 hours of SLAV 599 may be applied toward the degree.
- Concentration Courses:
- Polish Literature and Culture—POL 570 and one 400- or 500-level course in Polish History are required.
- Russian Literature and Culture—RUSS 540 and one 400- or 500-level course in Russian history.
- Examinations Preliminary Examination: Required; written and oral.
- Dissertation Required. The completed dissertation will be defended in an oral examination. No more than 26 hours of SLAV 599 can be applied to the degree. The dissertation should be based on original research in the candidate’s concentration, Polish Literature and Culture or Russian Literature and Culture.
Interdepartmental Concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies after consulting with their graduate adviser. See Gender and Women’s Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for more information.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Central and Eastern European Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in the Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Central and Eastern European Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Concentration in Central and Eastern European Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for more information.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Violence Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Violence Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Violence Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section or the Jane Addams College of Social Work section for more information.
