History (American or European concentration)
The program for the M.A. degree in history (American or European concentration) requires a minimum of 30 semester hours (at least 15 of the 30 hours must be at the 600 level) of graduate study, satisfactory performance in a foreign language examination approved by the history department, and a satisfactory performance in a comprehensive written examination over all course work for the degree. Students will choose one of the following options or tracks:
Non-Thesis Option (American or European concentration): This is a non-thesis degree designed for students who do not intend to continue graduate studies beyond the master’s level. It requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course work, including HIST 631, HIST 632, and 6 hours outside the student’s principal concentration.
Thesis Option (American or European concentration): Requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course work, including: HIST 631, 632, and 3 hours of thesis credit (HIST 699). Candidates must pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Cherokee Studies Option (American concentration, thesis or non-thesis): Requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course work, including 3 hours of HIST 699 for those writing a thesis; 18 hours in American history courses (including HIST 545, 631, and 632); 6 to 9 hours in Cherokee Studies concentration selected from: ANTH 561, ANTH 573, ASI 594, ENGL 564, or other courses approved by the graduate adviser.
Public History Option (American concentration): This is a non-thesis option designed to prepare students for entry-level positions related to public history. It requires the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved course work, including: HIST 631, 632, and 688; 9 hours selected from HIST 571, 572, 573, 574; and 12 hours of guided electives exclusive of public history courses.
The M.A. degree in English is awarded upon the successful completion of the following requirements: 30-36 semester hours of graduate credit—15 hours of which are the CORE, which consists of ENGL 618 (Research Methods), A Theory/Literary Criticism course, An Early British Literature Course, A Late British Literature Course, and An American Literature Course, and, depending on type of degree sought (M.A. with Thesis or M.A. with Non-Thesis Option), EITHER 9 additional hours of graduate course work and 6 hours of thesis/portfolio credit, OR 15 additional hours of graduate course work selected by the student and his or her adviser. These 9 or 15 additional graduate hours must be in one of three CONCENTRATIONS: Literature, Professional Writing, or TESOL. In addition, all M.A. students (thesis or non-thesis option) must successfully pass written comprehensive examinations on both Early and Later Literature, a reading examination in a foreign language—normally French, German, or Spanish, and, in the case of those writing a thesis, a final oral defense. For reading lists, sample exams, and other information on the M.A., see the 2004 Guide to Graduate Study in English, available online.
Two Certificate Programs, in Professional Writing or TESOL, are offered by the Department of English. These are 15-hour (five course) programs, which lead to a Certificate awarded by the Graduate School and designation of completion on the official transcript. See below for more information.
Literature Concentration
If a student selects the Literature Concentration, he or she must successfully complete both the 15-hour M.A. Core, plus EITHER 9 hours of graduate course work in literature chosen with the help of his or her adviser (Thesis Option), OR 21 hours of graduate course work in literature chosen with the help of the adviser (for the Non-Thesis Option). No specific courses are prescribed for the concentration itself, but are selected by both student and adviser to best mesh with the student's professional needs and aspirations.
Professional Writing Concentration
In addition to completing the 15-hour core curriculum of the Graduate English Curriculum, students selecting the Professional Writing Concentration must successfully complete EITHER 9 hours of graduate course work in Professional Writing chosen with the help of his or her adviser plus complete a thesis (Thesis Option), OR 21 hours of graduate course work in professional writing chosen with the help of the adviser (for the Non-Thesis Option). No specific courses are prescribed but are to be selected by the student and the adviser to meet the student's professional needs and aspirations.
TESOL Concentration
The concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) prepares students to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of situations. The topics covered are governed by the guidelines established for the English as a Second Language Curriculum by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. In addition to completing the 15-hour Core required for all M.A. degrees in English, the student who selects the TESOL concentration must successfully complete EITHER 9 hours of graduate course work in TESOL and a thesis, OR 21 hours of graduate course work in TESOL. The courses available enable students to analyze the linguistic components of English: syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics, phonology, phonetics, and discourse. Students also cover sociolinguistic questions concerning the relationship of language to culture and issues related to dialects and varieties of English. In addition, students will study language acquisition and have opportunities to apply theoretical insight to the practical task of designing and implementing lesson plans and courses of study.
The MFA in Fine Arts program is a 60-hour terminal degree program offering the highest level of instruction in the visual arts. This progrm offers three different concentrations: (A) Two Dimensional Studio including painting, drawing and printmaking; (B) Three Dimensional Studio including sculpture and ceramics; (C) Integrated Media Studio including video, film, photography, design, book arts and experimental media. In addition to 30 semester hours of professional studio courses, students are required to take 9 hours of contemporary issues seminar, 3 hours of community service and 6 hours of thesis/exhibition. The faculty will consist of permanent full-time members of Western Carolina University and nationally/internationally recognized visiting artists and critics. (starting 2004)
Psychology
Graduate students seeking the M.A. degree in psychology may choose from tracks in clinical psychology, school psychology, or general experimental psychology.
The clinical psychology program requires the completion of 62 semester hours including: PSY 548, 650, 651, 652, 661, 662, 671, 672, 675, 676, 679, 686 (10 hours minimum) 699 (6 hours); and 12 hours of electives approved by the program director.
The school psychology program requires the completion of 71 semester hours including: PSY 621, 624 or 625, 648, 651, 652, 661, 663, 664, 673, 674, 675, 678, 683, 684, 686 (7 hours) 697, 699 (6 hours); COUN 620, COUN 645. Successful completion of the program and requirements related to licensure will lead to recommendation for Level II licensure.
The general experimental psychology program requires the completion of 48 semester hours including: PSY 651, 652, 610, 680 (6 hours), 699 (6 hours). An additional 27 elective hours approved by the program director will be selected from a general category (15 hours minimum) including PSY 525, 530, 540, 541, 544, 555, 548, 570, 574, 621, 624 , 625, 650, 678, EDCI 711; and an interdisciplinary/applied category (12 hours maximum) including HR 605, 610, 615, MGT 605, 608, 609, MKT 601, 602, 603.
Degree candidates must complete a comprehensive requirement which consists of an approved thesis prospectus and successful performance on an oral examination given by a committee of at least three faculty members.
Applicants for degrees in American history, applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, English, and music must have an average grade of B or higher as defined by the major department in upper-level undergraduate courses in the major. For communication disorders, community counseling, human resource development, and psychology, a B average calculated for the last two years overall is required. A personal interview may be requested by some departments. A writing sample (such as an undergraduate paper) is required for the MA in English.
The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination is required for American history, biology, chemistry, communication disorders, community counseling, English, human resource development, music, psychology, and technology. The General and appropriate Subject Test of the GRE are required for applied mathematics.
Applicants for the MA in music must have an undergraduate degree in music, perform an audition in the principal area of applied music, and demonstrate or document piano proficiency.
Applicants for the MS in technology must hold a bachelor’s degree in an engineering, engineering technology, or industrial technology program with an average grade of B or higher as defined by the department in upper-level undergraduate courses in the major. Prerequisites for admission to the program for graduates of other curricula include a minimum of sixteen hours of undergraduate work in four different technical areas. Students must demonstrate computer competency prior to completion of six semester hours of the program. Students who lack this experience must complete an adviser-approved computer class.
Three recommendations (forms are available from the Graduate School) from former instructors who are in a position to judge the applicant’s aptitude for graduate study are required for all programs.
Arts and Sciences Interdisciplinary (ASI)
Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI)
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Last updated: 7/6/2005.
Copyright 2005 by Western Carolina University .