The Graduate School

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN LIBERAL ARTS

Applied Anthropology Track
The Department of Anthropology and the Department of Planning in the School of Urban and Regional Studies provide an Applied Urban Anthropology track within the Master of Science in Urban Studies.

The program allows students to gain significant background in applied anthropology through course work in cultural anthropology, cultural resource management, and preservation. Applicants must submit transcripts of prior academic work, Graduate Record Examination score, and three letters of recommendation. Please refer to a detailed description of the program in the Master of Science in Urban Studies degree section in this catalog.

Arts Administration
The Master of Arts in Arts Administration is interdisciplinary in nature, involving the Department of Film, Theatre and Communication Arts, Department of Fine Arts, Department of Music, and the College of Business Administration. It is built on graduate courses offered by those departments and on specialized courses in Arts Administration. The Arts Administration faculty consists of core faculty from the areas involved and other faculty whose interests are relevant to the program.

The Master of Arts in Arts Administration is designed to prepare students to serve as administrators and managers in all types of arts institutions, among them galleries, theatres, performing arts centers, and community arts centers. Included in the curriculum are courses in both business and the arts, as well as an internship designed to give students practical experience in the field.

Admission
A student must be accepted by both the Graduate School and the Advisory Committee for Arts Administration. To be admitted to graduate studies in Arts Administration, a student must have:

1. a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
2. a composite score verbal and quantitative of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum of 400 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (depending upon the student’s area of undergraduate study);
3. a grade-point average of 2.5 for undergraduate work and 3.0 for post-baccalaureate work, on a 4-point scale; and
4. satisfactory academic standing at the last college or university attended.

In addition to the above, experience in business and/or the arts is desirable but not required.

Financial Aid
Graduate assistantships are available to a limited number of qualified applicants each year.

Master of Arts in Arts Administration Degree Requirements

Foundation Courses: Students will be required to present credit for the following foundation courses (or equivalents): Business Administration 3010, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 2770, Finance 3300, and Management 3401. (Note: Prerequisites for the Finance and Management courses are Accounting 2100 and Economics 1203 or 1200.)

Graduate Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 36 hours, including: six hours of approved courses in the arts area of specialization (art history, film, theatre, and communication arts, or music); an overview course in each of the  three arts areas (see Fine Arts 6010, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6010, Music 6010); Computer Science 4990 (The Use of Computers in Arts Administration); and Arts Administration 6501, 6502, 6503, and 6990. Students are  also required to complete two business electives; if they have previously earned credit in any of these courses (or equivalents), they may substitute approved electives in either business or the arts.

Master of Fine Arts in Film, Theatre and Communication Arts
The Department of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts offers the Master of Fine Arts degree.  Students may elect to concentrate in Film Arts---Production, Theatre Arts---Performance or Design, or Communication Arts---Creative Writing.  The Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.  MFA programs in Theatre Arts reflect NAST’s highest standards.  The Master of Fine Arts is a terminal degree for students interested in pursuing careers in film production, theatre arts, and in creative writing.  Areas of specialization in Film Arts and Theatre Arts  include filmmaking,  acting, directing, and design; and in creative writing include fiction writing, nonfiction writing, playwriting, poetry writing, and screenwriting.  

MFA tracks in Film and Theatre Arts require the following 18 hour core:

MFA Film Arts---Production
The Master of Fine Arts track in Film Arts includes a 21-credit hour production core which exposes students to the broad processes of filmmaking. Nine credit hours of Analysis provide an important theoretical and historical framework for film production. The remaining twelve credit hours (Application Electives) may be used to apply knowledge and training to a special focus within the curriculum.

MFA Film Arts Production Requirements (21 hours required)
I. Production

II. Analysis (9 hours required)

III.  Application Electives (12 hrs. required)  Select from list below.

Arts---Performance (Acting and Directing) and Design
MFA program tracks in Performance and Design are intended to prepare our graduate students to successfully apply acquired skills to the art of theatre, make significant cultural contributions to their community, or become leaders in an educational environment aspiring to the highest artistic standards.       

MFA Performance Requirements (Acting)
I.  Production/Literature (12 hrs. required)Select four courses from list below:

* 4301 Voice Stylization may be substituted for three credits
** 4333 Stage Combat or 4831 Movement Applications may be substituted for three credits.
MFA Performance Requirements (Directing)

 I.     Production (6 hrs. required)
Select two courses from list below:

II.    Literature (6 hrs. required)
Required:

Plus select one course from the list below:

III.  Directing Area (30 hrs. required)

MFA Design Requirements
I.     Production (15 hrs. required)

II.     Literature (3 hrs. required)

III.    History (6 hrs. required)

IV.    Design (9 hrs. required)

V.  Electives (9 hrs. required)

Admission:
An applicant is accepted for graduate work in film and theatre arts upon recommendation of the graduate committee and subsequent admission to the Graduate School.  Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in film or theatre arts or must possess clearly demonstrated skills and creative ability in their field.  Graduate Record Examination scores and at least three letters of recommendation should be submitted.  All applicants must submit evidence of their ability in the proposed area of specialization. Auditions, prompt books, portfolios, manuscripts, video tapes, films, and other appropriate presentations are to be submitted to the department when application for admission is completed.

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following must be met:

• Satisfactory completion of at least 60 hours of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts courses.  With written permission of the department, the candidate may take up to six hours in a field outside the department.
• At the completion of 18 or more hours of course work the student will be evaluated by the graduate committee.  If the first year review demonstrates sufficient progress, the student will be invited to continue in the program.
• A grade-point average of 3.0 or better is required in all course work.
• Normally students must be in residence at least two semesters taking a full load of at least nine hours each semester.  Summer sessions may not apply.  Under special circumstances this residency requirement may be waived by the department.  Upon completion of one-half of the student’s required work, his or her major professor will be designated by the department.  Ordinarily this professor will serve as chairman of both the examining committee and the publicly presented creative thesis project.

Comprehensive Examination:  Normally students may take the Comprehensive Examination no sooner than the term in which they have completed 36 hours of graduate credit.  This examination will be both written and oral.  At least three members of the graduate faculty, one of whom may be from a department other than Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, will administer the examination.  Part of the examination will be devoted to questions based on the reading list and course work, and the remainder will be devoted to questions relating to the student’s individual area of specialization.

Publicly Presented Creative Thesis Project:  The thesis project will be prepared under the supervision of a committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.  This committee will ordinarily consist of three members of the graduate faculty of the department.  After successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the candidate will submit a written prospectus for a publicly presented thesis project.  The research and execution of this project will normally take nine studio hours. The MFA Thesis project is designed to test the student’s skill and knowledge in his or her area of specialization.  The project is subject to the graduate committee’s approval.

Students who have earned graduate credits in film, theatre, video, or its equivalent from other institutions may apply for admission into the Master of Fine Arts program.  However, the maximum allowable transfer credit must conform to the Graduate School’s policy on extension and transfer credit. Transfer credit is subject to the graduate coordinator’s recommendation and approval by the Graduate School.

Creative Writing
Admission:
An applicant is accepted for graduate work upon the recommendation of the creative writing faculty and subsequent admission to the Graduate School.  Students must hold a bachelor’s degree and must possess clearly demonstrated skills in a creative writing genre.  Graduate Record Examination scores, undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation should be submitted.  All applicants must identify the genre in which they plan to specialize and submit a portfolio of their writing in the genre (two plays of any length, a feature-length film script, two short stories or a 25-page novel excerpt, ten poems, two short nonfiction pieces, or a 35-page book excerpt).  In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the following must be met:

Resident option

• Completion of at least 45 hours of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts, and English courses.
•  Fifteen hours of 6000-level course work in creative writing workshop, at least 12 of which will be in the thesis genre.  These required courses are:  for fiction writing, English 6161; for poetry writing, English 6163; for nonfiction writing, English 6154; for playwriting, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6200; and for screenwriting, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6250.
• Three hours in Form and Idea, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6020; three hours in nonfiction
  writing English 6154.  For students whose  genre is nonfiction writing, a sixth required workshop in a genre other than nonfiction is required in place of the three required hours in English 6154 required of students in the other genres.
•  Nine hours in background courses.
• Fiction and poetry writing students will be required to take this in the literature of their genre.
• Screenwriting and playwriting students will be required to take six hours of techniques courses and a three-hour course in their genre area.
• A grade of B or better in all required course work.
• Nine hours of electives.  Chosen in consultation with the Director of Creative Writing, these elective hours will be expected to conform to a cohesive program of study.
• An overall GPA of 3.0 in elective courses.
• A creative thesis for which the student may receive six hours of preparation credit.  The creative writing thesis will be prepared under the supervision of a committee approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.  The committee will ordinarily consist of three members of the graduate faculties of the departments of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts and English, the thesis director and at least one other member must teach in the student’s genre area.
• A comprehensive exam in the student’s genre area that will be prepared, administered, and graded by the thesis committee.  It will concern itself with the literature of the student’s genre area.  Students who hold master’s degrees from other UNO programs may apply for admission, but upon acceptance they must meet all requirements for the M.F.A. degree listed above and must complete 36 hours of resident or non-resident work at UNO, including all 15 hours in writing workshop courses.

Low Residency Option

• Completion of at least 45 hours of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts and English courses.  18 hours of which must be in residence.
• Fifteen hours of 6000-level course work in creative writing workshop at least 12 of which will be in the thesis genre area, and nine hours must be in residence.  These required course are: for fiction writing English 6171 or 6191; for poetry writing, English 6173 or 6193; for playwriting, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6207 or 6209; and for screenwriting, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6257 or 6259.
•  Three hours in Form and Idea, Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts 6020; three hours in Non-Fiction Writing, English 6154 or 6194.
• Nine hours in background courses.
• Fiction and poetry writing students will be require.
• Screenwriting and playwriting students will be required to take six hours of techniques courses and a three-hour history course in their genre area.
• A grade of B or better in all required course work.
•  Nine hours of electives.  Chosen in consultation with the Director of Creative Writing, these elective hours will be expected to conform to a cohesive program of study.  
• An overall GPA of 3.0 in elective courses.
• A creative thesis for which the student may receive six hours of preparation credit.  The creative writing thesis will be prepared under the supervision of a committee approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.  This committee will ordinarily consist of three members of the graduate faculties of the departments of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts and English.
• A comprehensive exam in the student’s genre area that will be prepared, administered, and graded by the thesis committee.  It will concern itself with the literature of the student’s genre area.

Financial Aid
Graduate assistantships are also available for qualified students in all MFA programs of study.

English
Master of Fine Arts
The English Department participates in the Master of Fine Arts degree in Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts.  Fiction writers, playwrights, poets, and screenwriters take course work in English as well as Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts.  See the section on Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts for description and information on admissions, degree requirements, and graduate assistantships.

Master of Arts Programs
The MA program in English is designed to develop the student’s knowledge of literature and language and skill in literary research and criticism. Though it is aimed primarily at preparing students for further graduate study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the program also provides training for teachers of English in secondary schools and colleges and offers the opportunity for rigorous advanced study in the humanities preparing qualified persons for nonacademic professions.

The Master of Arts in English Teaching is intended primarily for secondary and middle school teachers who are interested in strengthening their credentials through a program emphasizing English content courses. The program is flexible enough, however, to accommodate those who plan to pursue careers outside education but who are interested in advanced work in literature and creative or professional writing.

Admission
Admission is based on undergraduate and graduate GPA, GRE scores, and a statement of purpose. Applications are accepted at any time; students may enroll in any semester.

Master of Arts in English Degree Requirements

1. Completion of at least 30 credit hours.
2. B average in all 4000-level courses and a B average in all 6000-level courses offered for the degree.
3. Reading knowledge of an appropriate foreign language.
4. Satisfactory performance in a comprehensive examination.

Both a thesis and a non-thesis option exist.

All students admitted to the graduate program will be referred to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in English, who will guide each student in selecting and following a sound program of study suited to needs and level of preparation. This program may, in individual cases, involve more course work than is specified in the general requirements for the degree. In all cases, a minimum of 18 hours must be earned in English courses numbered 6000 and above. One three-hour Directed Study course (English 6397) may be counted toward fulfillment of this minimum requirement; for those students who select the thesis option, three hours of Thesis Research (English 7000) will count toward the 18-hour requirement. Every candidate for the MA degree must complete one introductory course (English 6280 Introduction to Graduate Studies in English, English 6230 Pre-modern Sources of English Literature, or English 6231 Literary Theory) and one course each in the four following fields: British Literature to 1660, British Literature after 1660, American Literature, and Rhetoric and Writing. For purposes of clarification, it should be understood that the descriptions of 6000-level courses in the pages below are only categorical and that narrowed topics are always chosen for study within these broad categories. In exceptional cases, certain courses may be repeated for credit with the permission of the graduate coordinator.

The foreign language requirement may be satisfied through course work or through acceptable performance on a translation exam, administered by the English Department. In exceptional cases students may petition the Graduate Advisory Committee to permit the substitution of 6 credit hours of advanced (4000-6000 level) coursework in another pertinent subject for reading knowledge in a foreign language. The 6 hours will be in addition to the 30 hours required for the M.A. in English; courses already taken for undergraduate credit will not be accepted. The student’s petition must provide a rationale for the substitution, explaining how study in a cognate discipline rather than in a foreign language will help the student meet his or her academic objectives.

The comprehensive examination is a two-part, written examination (three hours each part), designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of subject areas and effectiveness of expression. The examination will cover material from reading lists and from course work in two of the four fields listed above. The examination may be taken only after the candidate has passed the reading knowledge examination in a foreign language and has completed all of the course work.

Students who intend to apply for the M.F.A. or Ph.D. are strongly encouraged to select the thesis option. The M.A. thesis (usually 30-40 pages long) is written under the supervision of an advisor assigned to the student by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in English. Credit for English 7000 (Thesis Research) is granted only after the candidate has passed a one-hour oral examination on the thesis administered by a committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School and the thesis has been approved by the committee.

Master of Arts in English Teaching Degree Requirements
This program is designed for teachers who wish to continue development of subject matter competence and enhance pedagogical skills. Normally, state certification is required for admission. Each student admitted to the program will be advised by the graduate coordinators from the Department of English and the College of Education, who will guide the student in preparing an appropriate program of study. While the total number of hours taken by each student may vary, the minimum requirements include:

1. The completion of 36 hours of course credit with at least 21-27 hours in the Department of English, 9-15 hours in the College of Education, and six hours of approved electives. At least 12 hours in the Department of English and three hours in the College of Education must be in courses numbered 6000 and above.
2. A “B” average must be earned in all courses taken for the degree.
3. Satisfactory performance on a written, three-part comprehensive examination covering the two chosen English areas and education.

Both a thesis and a non-thesis option exist. Students who elect the thesis option must take either English 6280 or Educational Foundations and Research 6700. Most theses are in British or American literature, or education, but creative theses in fiction or poetry are possible. The thesis carries three hours of credit.

English
Students develop specialized areas of concentration within the following fields of study:

Literature:

• American Literature,
• British Literature to 1600, and
• British Literature after 1660.

Rhetoric and Writing:

• Contemporary Research,
• Theory and Pedagogy,
• Classical Rhetoric, and
• Professional Writing.

Students building a concentration in writing may enroll in the summer writing institute (Greater New Orleans Writing Project); graduate courses in creative writing are available as well.

Education
Courses are usually chosen from among four fields: Methods for Secondary English, Reading, Curriculum and Instruction, and Language Arts. Within these fields, students may pursue concentrated study in such areas as teaching reading and writing, teaching in a multicultural setting, or teaching English as a second language.

All M.A.E.T. students must take at least 15 hours of 6000-level courses (12 hours in English and 3 hours in Education). Up to 12 hours of graduate credit may be transferred.

Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts program in Fine Arts is designed to provide professional training leading to a terminal degree in studio arts.

Admission
After a student has applied to the Graduate School, the application, images of work and letters of recommendation will be evaluated by the Committee on Graduate Studies of the Department of Fine Arts. To be accepted into the program, applicants must have an undergraduate degree and a high academic average in scholastic and studio work. Applicants who are admitted to the Fine Arts program will be assigned a sponsor by the Graduate Admissions Committee. The sponsor is a member of the Fine Arts Graduate Faculty who agrees to accept the responsibility of guiding the student through the program and who regularly teaches or exhibits professionally in the student’s major area.

Students who are deficient in certain areas may be admitted on a conditional basis. They must complete both the regular requirements and fulfill the conditions imposed by the Committee on Graduate Studies.

History
The graduate program leading to the Master of Arts degree in history provides intensive training for well qualified students in both European and American history. It serves to prepare students for work elsewhere at the doctorate level, to provide training for teachers in the secondary schools, and to offer advanced study in the humanities for those interested in nonacademic professions.

Admission
Admission to the graduate history program will be determined by the department upon the basis of the applicant's personal statement, undergraduate transcripts reflecting a high level of undergraduate achievement (typically, a GPA of 3.0 or above), Graduate Record Examination scores, and two letters of recommendation from professors with whom the applicant has studies. For application instructions, prospective students should consult the department's website: http://www.uno.edu/history/grad/

Master of Arts in History Degree Requirements (MA)
All candidates must complete a total of 30 credit hours, with at least 15 hours in courses at the 6000 level, a maximum of 12 hours at the 4000G level, and at least 3 hours of thesis research.

Required Courses

1. History 6001 – Historical Research and Writing
2. One proseminar-seminar sequence from the following: HIST 6501-6502, HIST 6601-6602, or HIST 6803-6804 ,
3. History 7000 – Thesis Research.

Only grades of B or better can be used to fulfill degree requirements. The program will culminate with a thesis that demonstrates an appropriate level of skill in historical research and writing, as well as a comprehensive oral examination designed to test the student’s general knowledge of history.

Concentration in International Relations (MA)
A variation of the standard curriculum, this concentration in international relations is available to students particularly interested in government service or international business careers. This concentration does not preclude pursuit of a doctorate in history, but it is designed primarily as a terminal degree program that will expand the job opportunities of graduates. Students must complete a total of 30 credits hours and successfully defend a thesis.

Required Courses:

1. History 6001 – Historical Research and Writing
2. One proseminar-seminar sequence (HIST 6501-6502, HIST 6601-6602, or HIST 6803-6804)
3. One additional proseminar in a field different from the sequence field (U.S., Europe, or non-Western)
4. POLI 4800G
5. POLI 4850G or ECON 4261* or ECON 4262*
6. One 6000-level course in either Political Science or Economics*
7. HIST 7000 Thesis Research

* Note that most upper-level Economics courses carry a prerequisite of ECN 2300, 2203, or 2204, for which no graduate credit is extended.

All candidates for the International Relations concentration must be certified as having a reading and oral proficiency in one modern foreign language. As with the standard curriculum, the concentration will culminate with a thesis and a comprehensive oral examination.

Concentration in Public History Degree Requirements (MA)
A variation of the standard curriculum, this concentration in public history is available to students interested in the practice and presentation of history for a public audience, beyond the academy. This concentration does not preclude pursuit of a doctorate in history, but it is designed to provide history students with the opportunity to use New Orleans as a laboratory in which to develop skills for work in museums and other public venues. The curriculum for this concentration combines history coursework with courses in the theory and practice of public history, and a three-hour internship at a local museum, archive, or library. Students in this concentration must complete a total of 30 credit hours in one of two tracks, culminating with a thesis and a comprehensive oral examination.

Local & Community Track
This track allows students to focus on historical issues of local and community interest. In addition to other coursework, students will be placed in an internship position at a local institution with the help of the internship coordinator.

Required Courses

• HIST 6001 Historical Research & Writing
• One proseminar-seminar sequence from the following: HIST 6501-6502, HIST 6601-6602, or HIST 6803-6804
• HIST 60008 Introduction to Public History
• HIST 40008G Public History Methods
• HIST 4603G Research in New Orleans History
• HIST 6992 Public History Internship
• Approved electives (6 hours) at the 4000G or 6000 level
• HIST 7000 Thesis Research

Military Track
This track allows students to focus on issues pertaining to military history. In addition to other coursework, students will be placed in an internship position at a local historical museum or site with the help of the internship coordinator.

Required Courses

• HIST 6001 Historical Research & Writing
• One proseminar-seminar sequence from the following: HIST 6501-6502, HIST 6601-6602, or HIST 6803-6804
• HIST 6008 Introduction to Public History
• HIST 4008G Public History Methods
• HIST 4003G Modern Military History
• HIST 4565G U.S. Military History
• HIST 6992 Public History Internship
• Approves electives (3 hours) at the 4000G or 6000 level
• HIST 7000 Thesis Research

Master of Arts in History Teaching Degree Requirements (MAHT)
This program is designed for teachers who wish to pursue advanced study in history while further developing their pedagogical skills. State teacher certification is required for admission. Students who have not been certified to teach, but who wish to pursue the MAHT degree, should apply for admission to the Education department's Alternative Certification program. Once enrolled in the Alternative Certification Program, students may take courses in the History department, though priority must be given to completing the required courses in the Certification program. Once certified, these students may apply to enter the MAHT program. For more information on the Alternative Certification program see: http://ed.uno.edu/~edci/PostBacc/pbac1004.pdf

A committee composed of graduate faculty from the Department of History and the College of Education will guide students in preparing an appropriate program of study.

Required Courses
All candidates must complete a total of 36 hours of coursework:

• HIST 6001
• At least 21 additional hours in History, with at least 12 hours at the 6000 level
• At least 9 hours in Education, with at least 3 hours in courses at the 6000-level or above. Education courses taken at the 4000G-level for certification can be used to satisfy 6 of these hours.

Only grades of B or better can be used to fulfill degree requirements. The program will culminate with a comprehensive oral examination designed to test the student's general knowledge of history and pedagogy.

This program does not require the completion of a thesis.

Music
Master of Music Degree

The Department of Music offers the Master of Music degree with areas of concentration in performance, conducting (choral or instrumental), composition, and jazz studies. Each program of study requires a minimum of 33 graduate credit hours to include course work in the applied area, music theory, music history, electives in music, recital or composition, and participation in the graduate colloquium.

Admission
A Graduate Application must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts from all previously attended universities and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores must be requested and sent directly to the Office of Admissions. If the GRE has not been taken, it may be taken during the first semester of study. Only the general portion of the GRE is required.

International students must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of at least 500 with a composite score of 50 on the listening section.

For all student applicants, an audition and interview must be scheduled.

A student can be accepted into the graduate program in music in one of two categories:

1. Unconditional Acceptance: the student has sufficient background to enroll in the required 4000- and 6000-level courses immediately. No prerequisite courses are needed.
2. Conditional Acceptance: the student has some deficiencies in background skills. This student needs specific remedial courses before enrolling in the complete 4000- and 6000-level Master of Music curricula.

Master of Music Degree Requirements

Completion of the Master of Music degree requires a minimum of 33 hours. At the end of the program, each student will present a graduate recital. Composition majors will also submit an original composition. A thesis is not required in any of the four degree programs. All courses are selected with the approval of the major advisor.

Comprehensive examinations, both oral and written, are required during the final semester. More detailed information on curricular requirements is available from the Music Department in the handbook, “Graduate Study in Music at the University of New Orleans.”

Financial Aid
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to qualified students working on the Master of Music degree.

Political Science
The Department of Political Science offers comprehensive programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The graduate program is designed to prepare professional political scientists and public administrators for careers in research and teaching, government, and public service.

Admission to the M.A. and Ph.D. Programs
In assessing the admission of a student to the MA program, the Graduate Committee of the Department of Political Science evaluates the academic potential of a student based on the academic record and on the Graduate Record Examination general test scores. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for students from non-English speaking countries without a previous degree from an American university.

An applicant to the Ph.D. program, in addition to the GRE general test scores, must submit the Department of Political Science’s Personal Information Sheet (available online at http://www.poli.uno.edu/documents/pds.doc), and three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s previous academic performance. Ph.D. students are expected to have attained a strong academic record on all work taken.

MA applicants interested in graduate assistantships, like the Ph.D. applicants, must submit three letters of recommendation.

Non-Degree Students
The 6000-level courses offered by the Department of Political Science are open to non-degree students only by special permission of the department.

Master of Arts in Political Science Degree Requirements
The M.A. program is flexible, permitting students to adapt plans of study to their particular needs. The program prepares students for careers in teaching, research, and public service. Candidates must complete either (1) a minimum of 33 credit hours which includes six hours of thesis research or (2) 36 credit hours and no thesis. No more than nine hours in courses numbered below 6000 and no more than six hours of thesis research may be counted toward these minimum requirements. With permission of the Department up to six hours may be taken in related departments.

All students are required to demonstrate competence in statistics. This may be satisfied either by completing  Political Science 6001 and 6002 with a grade of “B” or better or by passing a departmental examination in statistics.

Students who take thesis research will write a thesis which demonstrates an appropriate level of skill in research and writing in an accepted field of political science. Students writing a thesis must pass an oral defense of the thesis. Students who choose the non-thesis option must pass a written and possibly an oral examination, depending upon the outcome of the written exam.

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science Degree Requirements
The doctoral programs in political science provide intensive training in the following areas of concentration. Ph.D. candidates must select three from this list:

• US Politics (which may include institutions, behavior, minority and urban politics, public law, and/or public policy and administration foci).
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations

Ph.D. candidates must select three concentrations which may consist of either of the following combinations: 1) a major in US Politics with two foci, and either Comparative Politics or International Relations as a third field; or 2) all three fields with either Comparative Politics or International Relations as a major, and minors selected from the remaining fields.

Requirements.  Ph.D. students must complete a set of examinations and course work. The first is the Qualifying Exam. The Qualifying Exam in political science is an oral examination that may be taken the semester following the completion of 9 credit hours in the Ph.D. program, and must be taken no later than the semester following the completion of 15 credit hours. Students with an M.A. in political science from UNO, however, may take the qualifying examination during their first semester in the Ph.D. program, and they must take the examination no later than the semester following the completion of 15 credit hours. All students are encouraged to take this exam at the earliest feasible time.  The exam may be repeated once. Failure to pass the exam on the second attempt results in termination from the program.

In addition to successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, a student must complete a minimum of 60 graduate credit hours overall. Included in this must be at least 30 credit hours in the student’s areas of concentration, as determined by the Qualifying Committee. In addition, students must complete the research methods sequence of Political Science 6001, 6002, and 6003 with grades of “B” or better and six credit hours in dissertation research. Work taken toward a M.A. degree may be counted for this purpose, but at least 24 hours must be completed as a Ph.D. student.
After completion of all course work, but before completion of dissertation research, students must pass the General Exam. The candidate will be tested in two of the areas listed above. For majors in US Politics, both exams will be limited to US Politics. For majors in Comparative Politics and International Relations, the exam will consist of the major and one of the minor fields, as determined by the student’s exam committee. The examination will be both oral and written. If the Ph.D. degree is not completed within five years after passing the General Exam, that examination must be retaken.  The General Exam may be repeated once. Failure to pass the second attempt results in termination from the program.

Upon passing the general exam, students must prepare and submit a prospectus of the dissertation to a committee of faculty members. The prospectus must be defended in an oral examination. The student receives the Ph. D. once the dissertation is completed and defended.

Additional requirements are described in the Department’s Guide to Graduate Study.

Master of Public Administration Degree Requirements
Prerequisites

• Economics – Micro or Macro (3 hrs)
• Political Science or American Government (3 hrs)
• Unmet prerequisites should be made up early in the program.

Overview

• 42 total hours needed to complete the degree (excluding deficiencies or prerequisites)
• 27 hours of required courses
• 9 hours of electives
• 6 hours of thesis research and a thesis, or 6 hours of capstone courses and a final project. All masters students must include at least 15 hours of courses numbered 6000 or above in their programs of study.

Required Courses

Thesis/Final Project Option
Students must choose either the thesis or the final project option

Thesis Option. PADM 7000 Thesis Research (6 hrs) plus the thesis. Thesis students may take Capstone I in lieu of three hours of thesis research.

Final Project Option. This is an applied project completed in conjunction with a public service job or internship while enrolled in PADM 6901 and 6902 MPA Capstone I & II (3 hrs each).

Nonprofit Leadership Concentration
In conjunction with Metropolitan College’s International Program in Nonprofit Leadership (IPNL), the MPA program offers a concentration in nonprofit leadership (NPL). The concentration consists of 15 hours: NPL students must complete the following courses which are currently offered under PADM 4800:

NPL students must also choose the thesis or non-thesis (final project) option. Thesis students may take PADM 6901 MPA Capstone I (3 hours) and PADM 7000 Thesis Research (3 hours).

Financial Aid
Assistantships for nine and 12 months may be available for a limited number of qualified applicants.

Changes
Students should check with the Department of Political Science about any revisions approved for the program, but which may not be reflected in this catalog.  

Romance Languages
Master of Arts Program
The Master of Arts in Romance Languages (French or Spanish Option) offers the student a concentration in one of two areas: language/culture/civilization or literature. The program both prepares students for further graduate study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and provides training for teachers of French or Spanish in secondary schools and colleges. It also offers the opportunity for rigorous advanced study in the humanities to qualified persons from nonacademic professions.

Admission
To be admitted to graduate studies in Romance Languages, a student must present an undergraduate record which indicates a high standard of achievement, normally with an overall B average. In addition, the Foreign Language Department will review the Graduate Record Examination scores and letters of recommendation. The Department of Foreign Languages may grant full or conditional admission. Students admitted on a conditional basis must fulfill the conditions imposed by the department in addition to the regular requirements for the degree. Students with the bachelor’s degree in fields other than French or Spanish may be admitted on this conditional basis and allowed to make up deficiencies.

Master of Arts in Romance Languages Degree Requirements

1. Language/Culture/Civilization
   1. 33 credits in course work with at least 15 in courses numbered over 6000 or 30 credits in course work with at least 15 in courses numbered over 6000, including up to 6 credits in thesis research.
   2. A “B” average in all courses.
   3. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination (written and oral) which will test the student in three areas of linguistics/civilization and in one period of literature, areas and a period which he/she may select from those indicated in the Reading List for the M.A. comprehensive exam.
   4. Reading knowledge at the 2002 proficiency level of a second Romance Language (French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian) or Latin.
2. Literature
   1. 30 credits in course work with at least 15 in courses numbered over 6000, including up to 6 credits in thesis research or 33 credits in coursework with at least 15 in courses numbered over 6000.
   2. A “B” average in all courses.
   3. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination (written and oral) which will test the student in three periods of literature and one area of linguistics/civilization, periods and an area which he/she may select from those indicated in the Reading List for the M.A. in comprehensive exam.
   4. Reading knowledge at the 2002 proficiency level of a second Romance Language (French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian) or Latin.
   5. All students admitted to the graduate program will be referred to the Departmental Coordinators of Graduate Studies, who will guide each student in selecting and following a sound program of study suited to needs and level of preparation. This program may, in individual cases, involve more course work than is specified in the general requirements for the degree. For purposes of clarification, it should be understood that the descriptions of 6000-level courses in the pages below are only categorical and that narrowed topics are always chosen for study within these broad categories.

The comprehensive examination is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of the language/culture/civilization or of the literature of his/her chosen field of study. The examination may be taken only after the candidate has passed the reading knowledge examination in a foreign language other than the major language area and has completed all of the course work. Ordinarily, the examination will be devoted to course work undertaken for the master’s degree.

The thesis is written under the supervision of an advisor assigned to the student by the Coordinators of Graduate Studies in Romance Languages. Credit for Romance Languages 7000 (Thesis Research) is granted only after the thesis has been approved by a committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School and after the candidate has passed a one-hour oral examination on the thesis administered by this committee.

Financial Aid
Assistantships in the Department of Foreign Languages are available for a limited number of qualified applicants each year. Requests for application forms and for additional information should be addressed to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Romance Languages.

Sociology
The Master of Arts degree in Sociology provides advanced training for students and serves the employment needs of the larger New Orleans community. The dual mission of the program prepares students to pursue doctoral work in sociology and/or assists students in furthering their career goals through developing and upgrading research and analytical skills. The department offers a comprehensive program in sociology with special concentrations in the sociology of gender and environmental sociology.

Admission
Admissions criteria include a good undergraduate record, three letters of recommendation, and satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination. Students must submit applications to the Department of Sociology. Students may also apply for graduate assistant positions. Students having the bachelor's degree in fields other than Sociology may be admitted, but are typically required to take an undergraduate theory course for which they receive graduate credit.

Master of Arts in Sociology Degree Requirements
M.A. students in Sociology may pursue a traditional thesis option, an applied sociology option, or a non-thesis option.

Students who pursue the thesis option must complete a minimum of 30 hours of course work at the graduate level which includes a core of required courses, electives. They must prepare a thesis and pass an oral examination covering the thesis topic.

Students who pursue the non-thesis option must complete 36 hours of course work, including a required course in qualitative methods.

Students selecting the applied sociology option must complete 30 hours of credit, write a research report based on two semesters of work in a public or private organization and pass an oral examination covering the completed report.

Financial Aid
Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified applicants each academic year, with a maximum appointment of two years.