Other Information Information About this Department List of Faculty Dissertation Sponsors Degree Requirements Apply Online Visit the Department's Website Course List Printer Friendly Version

The department offers sequential programs (M.A./M.Phil./Ph.D.) for doctoral degrees in Russian and Polish Literatures. M.A. programs in Czech, South Slavic and Ukrainian Literatures with continuation to the M.Phil./Ph.D. through the Center for Comparative Literature and Society are also offered. Students in the Ph.D. program who complete the M.A. in Russian or Polish Literature may choose to do their M.Phil./Ph.D. work in Comparative Literature.

The M.A. programs in Russian, Polish, Czech, South Slavic and Ukrainian Literatures are open to qualified applicants who do not intend to continue beyond the Master’s degree. The department also offers Master’s only degrees in Russian Translation and Slavic Cultures, which are non-sequential programs of study that do not lead to a doctorate.

M.A./M.Phil./Ph.D. Programs

The Department of Slavic Languages offers degree programs in Russian literature, Czech literature, Polish literature, South Slavic literature and Ukrainian literature. The doctoral programs are rigorous, requiring extensive study of the literature from the middle ages to the present, with some fundamental grounding in the region’s history, linguistics and culture. At the same time, the department provides training to equip students with sophistication in literary theory and literary analysis. Ph.D. candidates in the Department complete their program prepared to conduct serious scholarship in the field and to teach both language and literature at all levels. Those who complete their studies in Comparative Literature following fulfillment of the Master’s degree requirements in Slavic Languages are awarded a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Comparative Literature.

Students may pursue the certificate offered by the W. Averell Harriman Institute and are encouraged to do so. Courses in the Harriman certificate program provide broader historical, political and cultural contexts for literature. They offer opportunities for practical alternatives to an academic career. In addition, the Institute provides access to a rich array of visiting speakers and scholars, assistance for travel, access to film and directly received television, and contact with students and several dozen faculty members in related departments. To supplement Columbia’s educational opportunities, students regularly take advantage of the resources New York City has to offer, including museums, libraries, theatres, businesses and embassies.

No student is admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. Students who possess an M.A. degree from another institution and are potentially eligible for advanced standing will be admitted first to the M.A. program and then evaluated at the end of their first year of residence. Normally, the student will be required to submit a Master's Essay, whether or not advanced standing is eventually granted.

Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Because teaching is considered an important aspect of graduate student training, all graduate fellowships include a teaching apprenticeship. No fellowship support is available for students working toward the Free-Standing M.A. degree.

Programs Leading to the Free-Standing M.A. Degree

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 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.

For admission to the respective programs, the department requires four years of college-level instruction (or the equivalent) in Russian or three years in Czech, Polish, South Slavic 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.

Because the Center for Comparative Literature and Society has no independent M.A. programs, applicants who wish to pursue the M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature must first complete an M.A. in a national literature. Applicants for the M.A. in Russian, Polish, Czech or Ukrainian who expect to continue in Comparative Literature after the fulfillment of the Master’s degree requirements should clearly indicate this on their applications.

Students interested in combining the study of any of the Slavic literatures with the study of comparative literature should see the requirements under Center for Comparative Literature and Society. Students interested in combining the study of any of the Slavic literatures with area studies should see the requirements for the Harriman Institute in the bulletin of the School of International and Public Affairs.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one official 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.

For the programs in Slavic Languages:

DEGREE:	PHD	Master's Only
Deadline for Fall Admission	January 3	July 1
Deadline for Spring Admission	no spring admission	November 1
Resume/CV	yes	yes
Writing Sample	yes	yes
GRE General	yes	yes
GRE Subject	no	no
Miscellaneous	see program description	none

MA in Russian Translation:

M.A. in Slavic Cultures: