Italian Studies, M.A.

On April 25, 2022, the CSU Chancellor’s Office issued a memo that GWAR will no longer apply to new and continuing graduate students (regardless of catalog year) at CSULB. Catalog copy has been updated on 07/21/2022 to account for this change.

The aim of the M.A. program is to prepare students to achieve an advanced knowledge of Italian language, literature, history and culture, and of the methods of scholarly research. While a Ph.D. program is the next step in the path of some students, others choose careers in education, international business, arts management, fashion, or any profession with international reach and global interaction. A limited number of Teaching Associate positions are available to qualified candidates after a course in language pedagogy.

Prerequisites

1. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian, Italian Studies or:
2. A minor degree in Italian Studies with a minimum of 18 upper-division units in Italian Studies plus 6 units in related humanities and social science fields. These courses must be comparable to those required of a major in Italian Studies at this University. Deficiencies will be determined by the advisor after consultation with the student and study of transcript records.

Advancement to Candidacy

1. Approval of the graduate program by the graduate advisor, the faculty advisor and/or departmental committee, and the College of Liberal Arts Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
2. The candidate should file for advancement upon completion of 6 units and preferably no more than 9 units on the program. A 3.0 GPA is required.

Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 30 units of approved graduate courses, with a minimum of 15 units in courses that are exclusively for graduate students in the 500 and 600 series in Italian Studies and related fields;
2. Specifically required courses include: ITAL 600   and one of the following: ITAL 650  or RGR 501 .
3. Two years of one of the following languages: French, German, Russian or Spanish, or pass an examination at intermediate level in one of those languages. Major or minor in a second foreign language may be used to fulfill this requirement in consultation with the Graduate Advisor. For other languages, consult the Graduate Advisor;
4. Maintain a GPA of at least “B” (3.0) in the program;
5. Pass comprehensive examinations on the Graduate Reading List in three areas to be selected by student upon consultation with Graduate Advisor, or complete a Master’s Thesis (Note: In order to satisfy the culminating activity requirement [thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program], students must earn at least  three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity.).
6. No more than six units of transfer graduate credits are allowed, subject to approval by the Graduate Advisor. No more than six units of International Programs course work may be credited toward the 30-unit Italian requirement for the MA at this university.
7. Teaching Associates must take RGR 601 - Teaching Methodology . These units do not count toward the required 30 units for completion of the MA.