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Master’s Programs in the Braniff Graduate School

According to the university’s concept of education, the master’s degree is a professional degree. Completion of a set number of hours of course work is not a sufficient achievement for receiving the degree; an acceptable proficiency in the discipline or profession as demonstrated in a comprehensive examination constitutes a further criterion for the degree. A minimum of 30 credits is required for the master’s degree, including the thesis or its equivalent where required. Most master’s programs also require demonstrated proficiency in at least one foreign language. The Master’s Student Handbook and specific departmental requirements must be consulted for each program.

The Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts offers the Master of Arts in: Art, Classics, English, Humanities, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology and Theology. These programs require the writing of a thesis and proficiency in at least one foreign language. For the M.A. in Art the exhibition substitutes for these requirements.

Other master’s programs include: Master of American Studies, Classics, English, Humanities, Leadership, Ministry, Politics, Psychology and Theology. These programs require additional course work or projects in lieu of a thesis and language.

The Master of Fine Arts degree in studio art is also offered. It is an advanced terminal degree beyond the level of the M.A. in art.

4+1 Program

The 4+1 program permits undergraduate students of the University of Dallas to continue their studies, earning a master’s degree in a shorter period of time by meeting certain requirements during senior year. The 4+1 program is currently available for selected master’s degrees in Education, English, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology and Theology. Check the undergraduate entries for each program to learn more.

Admission to Candidacy

In the Master of Arts programs (except Art) students become degree candidates after passing the comprehensive examinations. In Art, students apply for candidacy and formal acceptance into the program after completion of nine-twelve credit hours. Consult the Master’s Handbook and this Bulletin.

Language Requirement

Most Master of Arts programs require that students demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English. Individual departments, however, may require more than one language for the degree. The purpose of the language requirement is to assure that students are capable of effective use of primary sources. A grade of “B” or better is required to fulfill a language requirement.

The language requirement must be satisfied before enrolling in the thesis seminar. For the various ways in which this requirement may be fulfilled, consult the handbooks for the master’s and doctoral programs.

Comprehensive Examination

At the completion of course work, all candidates for the master’s degree must pass a comprehensive examination. The examination must be taken by the end of the semester following the satisfactory completion of all course requirements.

Thesis Requirement

Candidates for a Master of Arts degree enroll in Thesis Research after completion of all course work, fulfillment of the foreign language requirement and approval of a proposed thesis topic. The appropriate program director recommends to the Graduate Dean the acceptance of the topic and the appointment of a suitable committee. Instead of the thesis, some master’s programs require the completion of a major project or exhibition. In others it is satisfied by taking six or more additional credit hours. Consult the Bulletin for the specifics in each program.

Institute of Philosophic Studies Master of Arts

Students in the Institute may apply for a Master of Arts in their concentration upon successful completion of forty-two credit hours (12 of which must be in the Core), fulfillment of one language requirement, and the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination. Proper distribution of credit hours involves at least thirty hours in the concentration, to which appropriate Core courses and other courses approved by the Concentration Director as part of the degree plan may apply.