Master of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)
In the traditional Master of Arts degree, two disciplines
are chosen and about two-thirds of the coursework is in the
major discipline and one-third in the minor field. The Master
of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree program is
designed to permit students to formulate programs that integrate
work from three separate disciplines. Breadth of study is
important in designing the program. A research paper or thesis
offers the opportunity to integrate the three disciplines.
Most graduate majors or minors may serve as a discipline, or field,
for this degree. Two of the three fields may be identical if the areas
of concentration within these two fields are different. A list of the
departments and programs throughout the university that participate
in the program is included.
- In common with the traditional departmental Masters of Arts
degree, a minimum of 45 credits of graduate level work beyond the
baccalaureate is required.
- A minimum of nine credits in each of three fields of study is
required. No more than 21 credits should be taken in any one field
unless the total program exceeds 45 credits. Thesis or research
project hours do not count toward this 21 credit requirement.
- No more than three credits of reserve-numbered courses in
each field may be placed on the program except for thesis
(Option A) or credits for the research paper (Option B).
- One field and at least 12 hours must be taken in the College
of Liberal Arts.
- There is no foreign language requirement.
- There are two options under the program:
- Option A:
Thesis Option. The thesis must coordinate work
in the three fields. The requirement is 6 to 9 credits of
thesis to be registered in the field of emphasis (as 503).
- Option B:
Research paper. The paper does not necessarily
integrate work from the three fields, but typically
investigates a subject in depth from one or possibly
two of the three chosen fields. The requirement is 4
to 7 credits, to be registered in the field of emphasis
(as 401G, 501, 405G, or 505).
The deadline for applications is March 1 for admission in the
summer or fall quarter and November 10 for admission in the winter
or spring quarter. It is preferred that students begin the graduate
program in the fall term. Note: some departments have limited
admission terms, so it is important to check guidelines for each
department (see Graduate School Catalog)
For application forms and instructions, contact the Office of
Admission and Orientation, 104 Kerr Administrative Building, Oregon
State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2106 USA, 541-737-4411; or the
Graduate School, 541-737-4881.
The application packet must include the following. Send the
packet to Office of Admissions, Kerr Administration Bldg. 104,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2106 USA,
541-737-4411; Graduate School, 541-737-4881):
- Original and four copies of the application form.
- $50 check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to OSU.
- Five photocopies of all official transcripts of previous
academic work, undergraduate and graduate. Students must have
completed a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited
college or university and have achieved a combined GPA of 3.00
on the last 90 quarter (60 semester) credit hours of graded
undergraduate work of the first baccalaureate and all subsequent
graded credit hours.
- International applicants must have achieved the equivalent
of an American baccalaureate degree of at least four years
duration with a B average (equivalent 3.00 on an American
4.00 grading scale) on the last two years plus subsequent
graded coursework; and an English language proficiency
TOEFL minimum score of 550 (paper and pencil) or 213
(computer-based test). The TOEFL score must be no more
than 2 years old at the time of the applicant's first term
of registration. Four photocopies of the TOEFL score must be
submitted. The university requires demonstration by international
applicants of sufficient financial resources by means of a financial
certificate with supporting documentation.
- Four copies of the applicant's statement of particular field(s)
of interest and overall aims and purpose in the study of history as
part of an integrated MAIS program. The student should contact
directly, or indirectly through the History Graduate Committee Chair,
an appropriate History Department faculty member and obtain
agreement from the faculty member to serve as advisor for the
field(s) of history to be studied.
- Three copies of each of three letters of recommendation that
specifically evaluate academic abilities and professional potential.
- Photocopy of official record of Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) scores.
Admission to a field or fields in history as a component of the
MAIS program are reviewed and decided by the Department's Graduate
Committee. This review includes the advice for approval or rejection
of the appropriate advisor(s) for the field(s). In addition to the
candidate's statement of purpose, an additional writing sample
(no more than 25 pages) would be helpful to the graduate admissions
committee.
Applicants should note that for those students whose major
field is history, demonstration of proficiency in a foreign
language is required when use of a foreign language is relevant
to completion of research for the MAIS degree.
Under special circumstances, students who do not meet the
minimum requirements may be considered for admission. Prospective
students should be aware that the University and the History
Department are not able to accommodate all applicants who meet
the minimum admission requirements.
The History Department does not ordinarily have funds available
to MAIS students for graduate research assistantships or graduate
teaching assistantships. / (5 November 2001)
