Frequently Asked Questions
Please refer to the main
FAQ page for additional questions related to admission.
If you cannot find the answers to your questions on this
web
site, please contact the School of Continuing Studies’
Admission Office at (847) 491-5612.
Program Information:
What are the advantages of the
part-time MALit program?
The MALit program gives students, most of whom are working
full-time, an opportunity to learn from dedicated and talented
Northwestern University faculty. The MALit program draws
extensively from the English department at Northwestern,
but faculty in French and Italian, German, Spanish and
Portuguese, classics, Slavic languages and literature, and
theater also teach in this program. The program
courses are designed to give students a broad and stimulating
foundation
in literary study. Students engage in a variety of serious
intellectual pursuits, which prepare them for further
academic or professional study, enhance their career credentials,
and satisfy their desire for in-depth knowledge.
The MALit and MALS course offerings
look very similar: What is the difference between these
two
degrees?
The two programs do allow for cross-enrollment, but the main focus of each one is distinct. Students in the MALit program take most of their courses from 400- level MALit course offerings, which provide for the interdisciplinary study of literature. Each student in the MALit program must take LIT 410-0 Introduction to Graduate Study in their first year of study. That course introduces students to current issues in literary scholarship, criticism, and theory while also introducing students to graduate study and research methods.
In some cases MALit students may take MALS courses, especially
if those courses relate to their academic interests. For
example,
a student who plans to do a master's thesis on modern
literature might choose to take a course in MALS
on
modern art or one on modern philosophy. Or an MALit student
who is studying Latin American literature may take an MALS
graduate course on Latin American politics or history.
Will my degree be conferred through
the School of Continuing Studies? What will my diploma read?
If you are a student who began taking courses in the MALit program Winter 2009 or later, your degree will be conferred by the School of Continuing Studies, and your diploma will state this fact. If you began taking courses prior to Winter 2009, your degree will be conferred by The Graduate School, and your diploma will state this fact. Please note that this is an administrative technicality only; the academic quality and rigor of the program is identical for all students.
Who teaches the courses?
The courses are primarily taught by full-time Northwestern
University faculty. The faculty are drawn from a variety
of
departments such as anthropology, art history, English, history,
philosophy, religion, Slavic languages and literature, and
sociology.
When and where do courses meet?
Courses meet in the evenings from 7 to 9:30 pm at both
our Evanston and Chicago Lakefront campuses.
How long does it take
to complete the MALit program?
The Graduate School allows students a maximum of five years
to complete a program, although master's degree students
generally complete degree requirements in two to three years.
Can I transfer credits from
another graduate program?
No course work may be transferred from outside Northwestern
University to fulfill MALit degree requirements.
Are any online courses available?
No online courses are offered at this time.
How large are the classes?
Class sizes typically range from 10 to 20 students per class,
which gives them considerable personal attention
from
the
faculty.
Can I take just one course?
Yes. If you do not want to pursue the entire degree or feel
that you need professional or academic upgrades in a certain
area, you can take courses on an individual basis as a nondegree
special student or visiting scholar.
What could this degree
do for my career?
The credential of having taken a master's degree or other graduate-level work at Northwestern University looks impressive on any resume. In particular, the MALit program hones your critical thinking and communication skills, improves your research and writing abilities, and expands your problem-solving capabilities by exposing you to multiple ways of seeing the world. These qualities are highly prized by employers. Alumni report that having the degree made a positive difference in their career advancement and salary.
MALit students come from a variety of professional disciplines. Our students are doctors, lawyers, writers, accountants, teachers, librarians, entrepreneurs, museum professionals, and homemakers, all of whom are united by their interests in continuing the life of the mind. Some students switch careers as a result of their experience in the program. Others come because they are interested in intellectual pursuits for their own reward. A number of MALit students over the years have gone on for further study at both the master's and PhD levels.
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