Master of Arts in European Studies

EuropStudies MA 2019Director’s Note

Dear Student,

I am happy to direct BGSU’s new MA in European Studies program. While there are prominent European Studies graduate programs in the neighboring states of Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania, we are the only European Studies MA program in Ohio. We are following broader trends in the US that have started supplementing individual language programs with interdisciplinary and possibly multilingual European Studies programs.

Our EURO MA allows students to carry out individualized research and examine different aspects of Europe by making use of a wide array of interdisciplinary approaches through history, politics, culture and/or the arts. The goal is for students to develop advanced intercultural and international competency as well as gain work experience with an international company or organization. This is why study abroad and internships are core elements of the degree.

Language learning remains an integral part of the program. Through the study abroad component and by taking language courses at BGSU, students will have the opportunity to attain intermediate to advanced proficiency in a European Language other than English (unless they decide to study in Great Britain or Ireland).

We live in a world that is less and less centered on nation states—the worrisome increase in popularity of nationalist parties and movements in Europe and the US attests to this—but where national interests are interwoven with regional, continental, and global developments. Today, having expertise in any country, be it cultural, political, economic, linguistic, or other, needs to include knowledge about the broader international context within which a country or region is embedded and to which it responds.

As nationalist political agendas want to question the US’s long-standing partnership with Europe, the necessity to learn more about Europe and US - European relations has become only more pressing.  I am including a summary of a few fun facts (!) about the economic importance of Europe and about trade between the EU and the US below.

Please explore the links on your right to find more information about the program, the application process, associated faculty, and study abroad and internship opportunities. 

Sincerely,

Edgar Landgraf, Ph.D.
Director, MA in European Studies

About the Program

The MA in European Studies will help prepare you for international careers in business, government, journalism, education, research, or the nonprofit sector (e.g. NGOs). The program helps meet a high demand for candidates prepared to work for international companies and organizations with specific interests in Europe.

Program strength and uniqueness

  • Interdisciplinary program inviting individualized research 
  • Study abroad component 
  • Internship opportunities abroad or with international companies in the area 
  • Advanced studies of Europe as a whole and one of its regions 
  • Development of advanced intercultural and international competence 
  • Experiential learning preparing students for a globalized job market 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the master's degree, students in the European Studies program are expected to be able to:

  • Attain "Advanced Low" or higher (following ACTFL) guidelines proficiency in a European Langauge other than English
  • Apply cultural knowledge of the European region in personal contexts.
  • Utilize advanced intercultural and international competence - compare and assess cultural, political, historical, economic or other similarities and differences between North American and Europe
  • Utilize language competency for research purposes
  • Demonstrate ability to interact in professional contexts with Europeans
  • Demonstrate ability to analyze and solve real life professional problems collaboratively in a professional European setting

Prerequisites to Graduate Work

As a basic entrance standard, the Department of World Languages and Cultures requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a scale of 4.0).

Admission Procedure

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs in European Studies should follow the instructions outlined in the Graduate Admission section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts
A total of 30 credit hours of coursework at the graduate level are required. Students can specialize in European Arts & Letters, European Political Economy, Regional Focus (France, Germany & Austria, Russia or Spain), or other European languages in combination with an arts and science or political-economic specialization.

A candidate may pursue a Master of Arts degree in European Studies under the following two plans:
Plan I: Thesis (ES 6990)
Plan II: Comp Reading/Capstone (ES 6980)

View Graduate Courses

Degrees Offered: Master of Arts
Program Offered

Interdisciplinary Advisory Board
Neal Jesse, Political Science
Simon Morgan-Russell, English and Honors College
Kara Barr, History
Beatrice Guenther, World Languages and Cultures

For more information:

Program Coordinator: Edgar Landgraf
Address: 104 Shatzel Hall
Phone: 419-372-9517
Email: elandgr@bgsu.edu

Updated: 10/30/2020 01:02PM