The M.A. in Russian Translation

This program is intended for graduate students who are primarily interested in working as translators and leads only to the freestanding M.A. degree. It does not lead to a doctorate. The program is normally completed in two or three semesters. Part-time students must complete the program within four years. Note that two Residence Units (RU) are required for the M.A. degree.

Educational goals

Students will

  • achieve a high level of proficiency in Russian language;
  • learn practical skills required for the successful completion of independent translation projects;
  • build a solid foundation in the Russian literary and cultural traditions.

Requirements

Coursework

30 points at the graduate level (numbered 4000 and above) in Russian language, literature, history, culture, or other relevant disciplines.  The following courses are required and must be taken for a letter grade:

Literary Translation (RUSS GU4910);

Practical Stylistics (RUSS GU4434);

​Directed Research course (4 points) for the completion of the translation project.

All courses required for the M.A. are to be selected in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Two of the elective courses may be taken for R (registration) credit; all other courses should be taken for a letter grade.  Courses taken P/F (pass/fail) normally do not count toward the degree.

M.A. Translation Project

All students are required to complete an individual translation project (translation and introduction), begun in the Literary Translation course and completed in a Directed Research course. A copy of the finished translation should be submitted to the department office.

WORKSHEET FOR TRACKING PROGRESS TOWARD THE DEGREE

Advising

The Director of Graduate Studies meets with all M.A. students in advance of each semester to discuss course selection and degree requirements, as well as intermittently throughout the academic year.  At the end of the first semester, translation students confer with the Director of the program, who normally advises the translation, to identify a second reader for the project. 

Good Standing

To be in good academic standing in the freestanding M.A. program, students must make demonstrable progress toward the degree, hold no more than one mark of Incomplete at any given time, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.