Programs of Study

Master of Arts in Medieval Studies

The Master of Arts in medieval studies is an interdisciplinary degree program. M.A. candidates complete four core courses in affiliated departments and choose electives taught by faculty across the university.

In addition to regularly scheduled courses, as a student at the Medieval Institute you may have access to special topics seminars offered on campus by visiting scholars or off campus through Western Michigan University's affiliation with the Center for Renaissance Studies at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Recent courses at the Newberry taken by WMU students include "Gender, Bodies, and the Body Politic in Medieval Europe," "Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy and Its Afterlife," "Lives and Deeds: Writing Biography in the Middle Ages" and "Digital Humanities and Premodern Studies: An Introduction."

Degree hours

The Master of Arts in medieval studies requires a total of 30 credit hours.

Course offerings

See the Courses page for courses recently offered by the Medieval Institute's affiliated faculty, as well as other courses of interest to medievalists.

Required coursework

A total of 30 credit hours of coursework, or 33 credit hours for thesis writers, including:

• 12 credit hours of required core courses (with a course grade of B or better).
• 18 credit hours of electives, or 15 credit hours for thesis writers.
• Thesis writers take six credit hours of thesis (MDVL 7000).

Core courses

• ENGL 5300: Medieval Literature (three credit hours).
• HIST 5501: Medieval History Proseminar (three credit hours).
• LAT 5600: Medieval Latin (three credit hours).
• REL 6200: Medieval Religions (three credit hours).

Languages

Demonstrated proficiency in Latin and a second medieval or a modern language is required.

Oral examination

The hour-long oral examination is an opportunity for faculty and the student to explore content in medieval studies based on the student's coursework. Students will choose two seminar papers with two distinct disciplinary foci to submit to the examination committee, with the expectation that they will have revised the papers for the examination. These papers will serve as the starting point for the oral exam. The examination committee will be composed of three members named by the director in consultation with the student. Students are encouraged to consult the professors for whom they originally wrote the papers and members of their examination committee for guidance. For students writing theses, one paper may be a chapter of the thesis. Note that students will submit the two papers to the director no later than two weeks prior to examination. Students also submit a list of courses taken with a description of their final projects in those courses. Oral exams usually take place in mid-April for Spring graduation, or slightly later for Summer graduation.

Students will receive an assessment of high pass, pass, low pass or fail. If a student fails an examination the examining faculty will determine whether the student is offered a one-time re-examination to be completed within 12 months of the first examination date.

Thesis

With the thesis advisor's approval of a prospectus, a student may complete the degree by producing a master's thesis under the direction of a thesis committee. The committee will be composed by the director of the Medieval Institute in consultation with the student.

Accelerated Graduate Degree Program in Medieval Studies

The Medieval Institute offers an accelerated graduate degree program (AGDP) in medieval studies that allows seniors to accumulate credits towards the completion of a master's degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate. Students admitted to the Medieval Institute AGDP may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000- and 6000-level courses for graduate credit. The designated courses may be used to complete both the bachelor's degree and the master's degree.

Medieval studies minors interested in applying to the AGDP in medieval studies should contact the director of the Medieval Institute.

Degree hours

A medieval studies minor requires a total of 24 credits. The Master of Arts in medieval studies requires a total of 30 credit hours. Students enrolling in the AGDP take 12 graduate credits in their senior year and 19 in the second year of their accelerated degree program.

Program of study

Upon acceptance into the AGDP, meet with the director of the Medieval Institute and an undergraduate academic advisor to prepare a program of study that meets the requirements for both degrees. An AGDP Course Approval Form listing which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to you to be signed and returned to the director to be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar.

Requirements for continuing eligibility and graduation

• You will pay undergraduate tuition for AGDP eligible 5000- and 6000-level courses; the courses will be included in the flat tuition rate. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, you will be reclassified as a graduate student and begin paying graduate tuition.
• It is expected that the B.A. degree will be awarded within one calendar year after initial AGDP enrollment.
• Once you have earned the bachelor's degree and have been admitted as a graduate student, you will be eligible to apply for departmental financial aid.
• Follow the program of study developed with the graduate studies director and the undergraduate advisor.
• Complete the requirements for the M.A. degree within 24 months from the completion of the B.A. degree.