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, that 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 English 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. Each MALit
student completes a master’s thesis under the direction
of a faculty member approved by the MALit academic program
director.
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?
While the School of Continuing Studies administers the MALit
program, it does not confer the degree. Your degree will be
conferred by Northwestern University’s Graduate School
and your diploma will state this fact.
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 offeredt 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.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 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.
Admissions:
How do I apply ?
You must submit the following items:
- Complete Online Application
- A nonrefundable application fee of $75. This fee must
be paid online using a credit card; see the online application.
- One copy of official transcripts from all previous colleges
you have attended. This should
include both CREDIT AND NONCREDIT COURSEWORK. (Note:
Students submitting transcripts from foreign institutions
that are not in English must present a document-by-document
evaluation of transcripts.)
- One copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation addressing your intellectual
and academic abilities, especially as they relate to the
analysis and interpretation of literary texts. Ideally,
an instructor who knows you well should write such a letter.
Students who have been away from school for a number of
years, sometimes take one or two 300-level courses at
SCS
with the intent of gaining a current and relevant letter
of recommendation. While some applicants submit letters
from supervisors or managers in their place of employment,
those letters are typically less informative about a student’s
academic abilities and often do not help an application.
- One copy of a 300-word statement of intent, indicating
your preparedness for graduate study and future academic
goals.
- Four copies of a writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages).
This should be a critical essay that offers an analysis
of a literary text or texts in terms of theme, style, historical
or cultural context, or other literary topics.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are evaluated by the MALit admissions committee.
The following considerations guide the committee
in reviewing applications:
- Letters of recommendation help build a case
for your academic qualifications. A strong
letter that provides detailed information about your
academic ability will have a positive effect on your
candidacy. The more specific the letter, the better. For
example, a letter that describes your papers
or research projects is more effective than a
letter
that simply says that you were a hard worker
in class. You should brief recommenders about the program and your
objectives before requesting a letter; we recommend you
meet or correspond with your recommenders.
- The statement of purpose demonstrates whether
or not your academic goals are appropriate to the MALit
program. This statement also helps the committee determine
whether you possess the necessary writing skills and intellectual
maturity to succeed in the program.
- The writing sample is used to evaluate your ability
to engage in the academic study of literature. We recommend
that the sample be a paper written for a previously
completed course that
focuses on a critical discussion of a literary topic.
The paper should have a strong thesis and make use of
close textual
study to advance that thesis. The paper should follow
academic conventions when citing sources and should be
clearly organized and written. If you do not
have such
a paper to submit, you may consider
taking an advanced-level undergraduate literature course
that will require such a paper.
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