Program Guidelines
INTL M.A. Program Guidelines
COURSE SELECTION:
Required Courses: M.A. Students must take 7 courses* (21 Credits) in the course of the M.A Program: 3 Required (INTL 501, INTL 503, INTL 504*), 4 Elective (2 of which should be area electives).
Additionally, students are required to take 6 non- Credit courses;
KOLT 500: Teaching Assistant Training and Workshops (all students are required to take these workshops in their first semester.)
TEACH 500: Teaching Experience during the semesters of their assignments. (all students must enroll to TEACH 500 every semester)
ETHR 500: Students must complete an online ethics course lates by 2nd Semester.
ENGL 500: Academic Writing (Advanced) course. (all students must complete this course in their second year)
INTL 590: Seminar Course (all students must complete the seminar requirement in their first year)
INTL 595: Thesis Course (Required every semester after completing all the course requirements and starting the Thesis)
Students are urged to complete all the course requirements by the end of the 2nd semester. See degree requirements for details.
Students must have a minimum of 3.00 GPA to graduate.
Taking Courses from different departments: For free electives, M.A. students can take courses from other relevant graduate programs offered at KU or other Universities with the approval of the program coordinators.
Undergraduate Courses: MA students may only take 1 undergraduate level course, if approved by the program coordinator.
Language Courses:Language courses may not be calculated towards degree requirements.
Transferring Courses from previous studies: Please consult with GSSSH office and then with the program coordinator.
ADVISOR ASSIGNMENTS:
Appointing an advisor: Students are required to choose and get the approval of a thesis advisor latest by the end of the 2nd semester and turn in the advisor appointment form to GSSSH office.
Changing an advisor: Students may change their advisor in the course of their studies with the approval of previous advisor, prospective advisor and the program coordinator.
Withdrawal of an advisor: In the case that advisor decides to discontinue monitoring the student’s thesis then the student must find an advisor within one month (30 days) or may opt to leave the program.
Co-Advisor: Students may appoint more than one advisor. Second advisor may be outside of KU.
Forms Required: can be found in the link enclosed. Advisor Appointment Form
THESIS PROPOSAL: All MA students must submit a thesis proposal form latest by the end of the 2nd semester.
FORMAT OF THE THESIS:
Traditional format: Thesis can be written in the form of a book consisting of chapters. The number of chapters written depends on the specific research project and the course duration.
COMPOSITION OF THE THESIS JURY:
Thesis jury is composed of 3 Faculty members. 1 Member must be from another university. 2nd advisor may attend the meetings. Jury must be appointed by the department and approved by the Graduate School. Members of this committee must be affiliated with a University or an Academic Institution and must at least hold the rank of an Assistant Professor.
Forms Required: * Please find the document in the link Thesis Appointment Form
FINALIZING THE THESIS:
Final draft of the thesis must be sent to all the appointed Jury members at least 3 weeks before the defense date in a hardcopy format.
Students must notify the Graduate School of their defense date and provide announcement information at least 2 weeks before the defense date.
After the thesis is revised and finalized, students must submit a bound copy to all jury members who prefer to have one.
Forms Required: * Please see the link for thesis defense form:
LEAVE OF ABSENCES:
Except for official holidays when the University is closed, graduate students are expected to be on campus fulfilling their degree requirements. During summer months graduate students who are on scholarships can take paid vacation (maximum two weeks) upon the recommendation of their advisors and the program coordinator. Otherwise they all have to be on campus.
Long-Term Leave of Absence: Students may hold their studies up to two consecutive semesters with the approval of their advisor, program coordinator and the graduate office. Their stipends will also be on hold during these terms. Students who would like to expand their hold beyond two consecutive semesters will have to consult with the program coordinator and the graduate school and students may lose their stipends and benefits and may be subject to pay registration fee.
TA / RA DUTIES:
All students are appointed as TA and RA in the beginning of each semester. Please find the TA/RA regulations set by the graduate school enclosed. Please note that the task found in the enclosed is not exhaustive. All students must enroll in TEACH 500- Teaching Assignments Course every semester to have their TA duties graded. RA Spring assignments will continue in the summer months unless indicated otherwise.
PROCTORING:
All GSSSH students are expected to be present for proctoring exams (including make up and amnesty exams) of the courses they are assigned to. They may also be asked to proctor exams for courses, which they are not assigned to as TAs. These extra proctoring assignments would not exceed 4 per academic year. Proctoring assignment will be done centrally by the graduate office. Proctoring may be necessary on weekends, late evenings, or times outside of regular hours.
GRIEVANCE:
All grievances should be first communicated to the program coordinators.