Master of Arts in Slavic Studies (Thesis-based)

The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers a diverse and exciting MA curriculum in Russian language and historical linguistics, and Russian and Slavic literature and culture.

Our recent graduates have gone on to careers in the US State Department, the Department of Defense, and the Defense Language Institute. Others have entered doctoral programs in Education, English, Linguistics, Slavic and Spanish at Florida State University, Harvard University, Rutgers University, and University of Toronto. Our strong emphasis on linguistic and cultural proficiency prepares students for work in the federal or foreign service or non-governmental organizations. Career workshops with government personnel inform students of a wide range of professional opportunities.

Our students receive comprehensive research and pedagogical training. Pedagogical training emphasizes experience in the classroom as well as expertise in theory and methodology for Russian language instruction. After attending a two-week summer training program, graduate instructors enroll in a departmental seminar in Language Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition. A teaching practicum focused on Russian language pedagogy and professional issues is offered every semester.

Students may also take courses with Modern Languages and Linguistics faculty in other language programs to develop expertise in comparative literary and cultural studies, sociolinguistics, and second language acquisition.

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor's degree
Statement of purpose (in English) indicating your background, areas of academic interest and/or teaching experience, and why you are applying for that particular language program.
R'sum (or brief Curriculum Vitae) of educational and professional activities.
Writing sample written in the target language of the program for which you are applying (EALC applicants are required to submit a writing sample in English). Click also on the appropriate icon above to check program-specific requirements for the writing sample.
Three (3) letters of recommendation. You should request these letters from persons in a position to comment on the quality of your academic work, academic record, to evaluate your potential for doing successful graduate work, and if you are applying for a teaching assistantship, address your qualifications to hold such a position.
GRE scores. Verbal and Quantitative scores are required of all applicants, including international students, for admission to graduate studies as well as for teaching assistantships, scholarships or fellowships. For information about registering and taking the GRE, please visit their website. Average Verbal Reasoning scores for applicants we have accepted in the last five years have been around 155 on the new score scale. However, please note that the GRE score is one element of your application and the program views the entire file holistically in making a determination of admission.
The GRE is waived for MA applications up to and including Fall 2026.
Applicants for the French and Spanish PhD programs may request a GRE waiver if one of the following criteria is fulfilled: 1. Successful completion of MA degree in relevant field with GPA 3.5 or higher. 2. Authorship or co-authorship of a peer-reviewed paper in relevant field.
GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point system) or higher as an upper division student.
TOEFL scores (only for international students whose native language is not English: see paragraph below*).
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities which you have attended and/or from which you received a degree. An official hardcopy transcript should be sent by the issuing institution to: Office of Admissions (A2500 University Center, 282 Champions Way, Tallahassee FL 32306-2400). An unofficial copy should be uploaded as a supporting document on your online application.
All non-US transcripts must be submitted for evaluation through the SpanTran pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends SpanTran as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy, streamline the application process.
if you are a non-native speaker of English, in order to be eligible for employment, Florida State University requires you to have a minimum of 23 points on the IB TOEFL Speaking Section. If you score is below 23, or if you did not provide TOEFL scores for admission because you had equivalent experience verifying your English proficiency (such as a previous degree from a US university)
Internet based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80, Paper based TOEFL (TOEFL): 550, International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5.