Academic Matters

All students are assigned to an academic advisor in their major field(s) when they enter the program. MA-LLC students with a double major or a major and minor combination in French/ Italian/ Spanish will have two advisors. MA-LLCP students on certification track should also seek advisement from the Foreign Language Education Program Coordinator (currently Blythe Milbury-Steen). 

The principal duties of the advisors are to explain program options to their advisees, to discuss the possibility of writing a master's thesis, to present the opportunities for studying abroad via the University's exchange programs, to help the students to obtain all the transfer credits to which they are entitled, and to inform their advisees about course load and course selection regulations in order to develop the soundest program possible for the student.

Advisees should not hesitate to contact their advisor(s) concerning questions, comments, or suggestions they may have in reference to their program of study. 

If a student wishes reassignment to another advisor, the request must be submitted in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies.

​Checklist for Taking Comprehensive Examinations and Graduating

For May Graduation:

• 14 February: Deadline for submitting the Application for Advanced Degree Form to the Graduate Office. This form should be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in each semester comprehensive exam(s) is/are to be taken.
• Students must submit their approved reading lists to their GSC language represented by the final course day of the semester preceding that of the MA exam​

For December Graduation:

• 14 September: Deadline for submitting the Application for Advanced Degree Form to the Graduate Office. This form should be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in each semester comprehensive exam(s) is/are to be taken.​
• Students must submit their approved reading lists to their GSC language represented by the final course day of the semester preceding that of the MA exam​

Administration of Exams

Comprehensive examinations may be taken no earlier than the semester during which the relevant required coursework will be completed. (For regular full-time students this will normally be no earlier than the third semester for pedagogy exams and the fourth semester for literature exams.)

Administration of literature comprehensive examinations (including scheduling, construction, proctoring, and grading) will be the responsibility of the language faculty representative to the Graduate Studies Committee and the tenured and tenure-track faculty of the language/literature major.

The pedagogy portion of the MA-LLCP comprehensive examinations will be constructed, proctored, and graded by the foreign language pedagogy faculty. Scheduling will be coordinated with the language faculty representative.

The comprehensive examinations are offered once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester. All literature exams will be administered as follows: Fall: mid-November to mid-December; Spring: mid-April to mid-May. For Pedagogy exams, see II.B3.

Normally all students majoring in a particular language/literature will take the written comprehensive examination on the same day. The tests, however, can be tailored to the individual student. The oral examination may be administered on the same day as the written examination, or at a later date.

Students who fail all or part of the MA comprehensive exams may retake the exam (or part thereof) only once.

In unusual circumstances, a one-semester extension may be granted upon written appeal to the Graduate Studies Committee. Those students who elect to delay completion of requirements for the MA degree must 1) request permission by writing a letter to the Director of Graduate Studies explaining their reasons for requesting an extension; and, 2) pay a sustaining fee each semester until they graduate. University regulations require that all work must be completed within five years of initial enrollment in the program.

Reporting the Results of the MA Comprehensive Exams 

Within one week of the administration of both the written and oral parts of the comprehensive examinations (pedagogy and literature), the respective representative(s) to the Graduate Studies Committee will report the results of the exam to the candidates and to the Director of Graduate Studies. However, in cases where the written exam is a clear failure that cannot be redeemed by a strong oral exam, students will be notified of this and will not take the oral exam.

French Exams - Detailed Information

The examination for the Master's degree in Language, Literatures, and Cultures is offered in November/December and in April/May of each academic year: students take it in their final semester. It emphasizes not only the content (plot, setting, characters, etc.) of each work but also its implicit values and its aesthetic and philosophical underpinnings. An understanding of the contribution of each work to its own period is essential. Students should have a grasp of the major French literary movements and of the cultural and historical context in which they arose. Both the written and oral portions of the exam are conducted entirely in French.

The Written Examination

In consultation with their professors, MALLC students will devise individualized reading lists for five periods/areas. These lists will be based on the works or authors studied in their MA coursework. The written examination will focus on the reading lists for the five periods/areas chosen. It will consist of:​

• Brief identification of five terms, e.g. "mal du siècle," "les bienséances," etc., one for each list (students will have ​​a choice of two terms for each identification) (90-100 minutes)

• Explication de texte drawn from a ​work on the student’s list, or an excerpt thereof. (90-100 minutes)​

Three and a half hours will be allotted for the examination; the time limit will be strictly observed.

MALLCP students have a reduced reading list and will select four periods/areas to prepare for the exam. The literature portion of the written examination is composed of four identifications (one from each period/area chosen) and a textual analysis (close reading, explication de texte). The time allowed for the exam is 3 hours.

In cases where the written exam is a clear failure that cannot be redeemed by a strong oral exam, students will be informed that they may not take the oral. Students who fail all or part of the MA comprehensive exams may retake the exam (or part thereof) only once (please see "Grading of Exam, Notification, and Retake options", below.)

After the written examination, students are invited to contact French Faculty members for general feedback during the period between the written and oral examinations.

The Oral Examination

The oral exam will focus on the four (MA-LLCP) or five (MA-LLC) individualized reading lists, course work, and any questions arising from the written examination.

One hour will be allotted for this portion of the exam.

Please Note:

Because these reading lists are individualized, students must determine their selections and have them approved by the professor responsible for each list by the deadline specified in the DLLC Graduate Handbook: the last day of classes of the semester preceding the exam date. Any requests for substitutions of works on the reading lists must also be approved by this deadline by the faculty member responsible for the relevant section of the reading list.

Grading of Exam, Notification, and Retake Options

The student will receive a grade of Pass or Fail for the entire examination. Shortly after the conclusion of the oral exam, candidates will be informed orally whether or not they have passed the exam. Within one week, candidates will be notified formally of the result. In order to recognize students who perform particularly well on both the written and oral portions of the exam, one of two special mentions, bien and très bien, may be awarded. Students who receive a failing grade for one or more parts of the written or oral exam may have the opportunity to retake the exam or a part thereof. Scheduling is at the discretion of the French Faculty but in all cases will adhere to UD Graduate Study regulations and time frames for the completion of the degree.​

Spanish Exams - Detailed Information

This document covers the Language, Literature and Culture portion of both the MA-LLC and MA-LLCP degrees. MA-LLCP students will consult the Foreign Language Pedagogy list for their required pedagogy-related readings.

The comprehensive examination for the MA degree in Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MA-LLC and MA-LLCP) is designed to test the student’s mastery of the works of Hispanic literature and culture. The exam will test the student’s ability to analyze a wide range of literary texts beyond their basic content (plot, setting, characters, etc.) in addition to relevant topics, movements, authors, historical contexts, and critical theories. Students should have a grasp both of the cultural and historical context in which these works arose. It is essential to demonstrate an understanding of the material and engage critically with it.

ELIGIBILITY AND PREPARATION

• After completing the required coursework and other prerequisites, students are eligible to take the comprehensive examination. The exam is administered twice a year, in the fall semester (November/December) and in the spring semester (April/May).

READING LIST

• Graduate coursework (SPAN 875 and 600-level courses) serves as the basis for the comprehensive examination. For MA-LLC students, eight courses (24 credits) in literature and/or culture in Spanish; for MA-LLCP students, five courses (15 credits) in literature and/or culture in Spanish.
• Each student in the program compiles a reading list based on the coursework they have completed or are in the process of completing, including the semester in which the exam is taken.
• Students must submit their finalized reading lists to their Graduate Studies representative by the last day of September (fall exams) or the last day of February (spring exams).

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FORMAT

The exam consists of both written and oral components. Both portions of the exam are conducted entirely in Spanish.

A. Written Exam

MA-LLC students:

As noted above, the content of the written exam is derived from the coursework (eight courses in literature/culture in Spanish) and will include the following format:

1. Six short essays/identifications (60-75 minutes).
2. One longer, focused essay (60-90 minutes).
3. Textual Analysis: an organized critical analysis of a text (60-75 minutes).

Four hours will be allotted for the examination; the time limit will be strictly observed.

MA-LLCP students:

As noted above, the content of the written exam is derived from the coursework (five courses in literature/culture in Spanish) and will include the following format:

1. Four short essays/ identifications (60-75 minutes)
2. Textual Analysis: an organized critical analysis of a text (60-75 minutes)

Three hours will be allotted for this examination; the time limit will be strictly observed.

B. Oral Exam

The oral exam for both MA-LLC and MA-LLCP students will focus on coursework completed by the student as well as questions arising from the written examination. 30 minutes will be allotted for this portion of the examination.

Notes:

1. The examination will include coursework from all four SPAN875 courses. The student will select from courses at the 6xx-level to reach the minimum requirements for admission to the comprehensive examination (students must take a minimum of 5 courses to complete the MA-LLCP and 8 to complete the MA-LLC).

2. After the written exam, students are encouraged to contact their Graduate Studies representative for general feedback during the time period that precedes the oral exam.

3. In cases where the written exam is a clear failure that cannot be redeemed by a strong oral exam, students will be informed that they may not take the oral. Students who fail all or part of the MA comprehensive exams may retake the exam (or part thereof) only once. ​

Grading of Exam, Notification, and Retake Options

The student will receive a grade of Pass or Fail for the entire examination. Shortly after the conclusion of the oral exam, candidates will be informed orally whether or not they have passed the exam. Within one week, candidates will be notified formally of the result. In order to recognize students who perform particularly well on both the written and oral portions of the exam, one of two special mentions, Honors and High Honors, may be awarded. Students who receive a failing grade for one or more parts of the written or oral exam may have the opportunity to retake the exam or a part thereof. In border-line cases, a written assignment will be required by the faculty. Scheduling is at the discretion of the Foreign Language Pedagogy Faculty but in all cases will adhere to UD Graduate Study regulations and time frames for the completion of the degree.​

While preparing for the comprehensive examinations, the student should be cognizant of the following deadlines: the deadline for degree application is September 15 for December degree conferral, February 15 for May degree conferral, and May 15 for August degree conferral. The application, attainable from Katie Gwaltney (103 Jastak-Burgess Hall) or from the Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, needs to be returned to the Graduate Studies Office following payment of the application fee (Master's fee is approximately $35) and the attainment of proper departmental signatures. The administrator for Graduate Student Academic Affairs does not sign the application until all degree requirements have been met. It is important to remember that if a student does not meet the application deadline for his/her desired graduation date, the graduation date will be changed to the next term. In this event, the student is not required to reapply or pay another application fee.

Funded graduate students are expected to enrol only in graduate-level courses that count towards the MA-LLC or MA-LLCP degree program that they are pursuing in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. If a graduate student wishes to take a course unrelated to his/her field or take a course at the undergraduate level, either for credit or as a listener, s/he must submit a written request to the director of DLLC's Director of Graduate Studies, which must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. 

All courses must be chosen with the approval of the advisor and should represent as broad a perspective on the major literature as possible (i.e. students should avoid taking too many courses in one literary period). While graduate students are allowed by the University to take up to 12 credits a semester, the Department considers 9 graduate credits to be a reasonable course load for students working as TAs, RAs, or in the Media Center. A student wishing to take 12 graduate credits in a semester must request the approval of his/her advisor.

One course = three credits. Funded students must average at least 5 courses per year over the two year grant period. (FREN 533  French for Reading Knowledge, does not count towards these minima). Semesters spent on the exchange programs are not considered to be part of the funding period.

Graduate seminars (courses numbered 875) in the student's major language are obligatory each semester for all full-time students. Unlike 600-level courses which admit advanced undergraduates, these courses are open only to graduate students. A waiver of this requirement may be granted under the following circumstances:

1. An identical course has been taken at the undergraduate or graduate level (this would apply, for example, to narrowly defined subject matter, such as single-author courses)
2. There is a direct conflict with another required course for which there is no allowable substitute, and which the student will not have the opportunity to take in a subsequent semester
3. In the case of double majors or major-minors: two 875 courses are offered at the same hour
4. Double majors or major-minors in the LLC Program or in the LLCP Program have completed their course requirements in the literature in question.

Students should put their request in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies, who will consult with the professor teaching the 875 course before granting (or denying) the waiver.

Students are discouraged from requesting independent study courses. However, in exceptional circumstances in which an independent study seems appropriate, students may request permission to take such a course. Their request must be put in writing and addressed to the Department Chair. They should indicate why they need to take the independent study course, who will supervise it, and what the topic is.

Teaching Assistants who enter the program in September must take Principles of Teaching Foreign Languages (LLCU 623) in their first semester, unless the student has taken an identical course as an undergraduate. Students who enter in mid-year must take the course the following September. Only those students who are enrolled in or have previously taken LLCU 623 will be allowed to teach.(Exception: students who have taken LLCU 621 and have participated in orientation may also teach).All recipients of a Graduate Assistantship (TAship, RAship, etc.) are required to take LLCU 623. If a student has completed course work judged equivalent to LLCU 622, 623 or 624 and can provide documentation (e.g. teaching portfolio, syllabi, teaching certificate), substitutions within the field of FL Pedagogy may be accepted.

Students receiving financial aid from the Department must take at least 50% of their course credits in the Department each semester.

Credits earned in FREN 533 (French for Reading Knowledge) may not be counted towards completion of the 30, 36, or 42-credit (depending upon option selected) MA degree in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Students may not take for graduate credit a course that has already been taken for undergraduate credit. (Example: if you've taken GRMN 422 "Age of Goethe" you may not take GRMN 622 "Age of Goethe.")

Students in the MA- LLCP (Masters in Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Pedagogy) program or those in the MA-LLC (Masters in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures) program with a single major have a 30-credit requirement for the MA. Students on stipend (i.e., those with teaching or other responsibilities within the Department) are advised to plan their coursework in consultation with their advisors, so that they need take only two courses in their final semester, to allow themselves time to prepare for the MA Comprehensive Examination. Students pursuing the major-minor option of the MA-LLC degree or MA- LLCP will have to take three courses per semester for each of the four semesters in order to finish on time.

Students who wish to change their program in any way (MA- LLCP to MA-LLC or vice versa, the addition or substitution of a minor, etc.) must address their request in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies.

The MA Thesis is an option for students with an interest in exploring in detail and depth a particular research topic. While the MA Thesis is not normally required for students pursuing a doctoral degree, it may be a desirable option in some cases. Students approved for the Thesis option must demonstrate the intellectual rigor, advanced writing skills, and efficient planning necessary to complete an MA Thesis.

Any well-qualified student (normally defined as one who has not received any final course grade lower than A-) by March of the second semester should officially request to GSC to write a thesis.

A program of study is planned for each candidate in consultation with a thesis director and/or second reader. The director and second reader make up the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures MA thesis committee. Ideally, the director should have established a record of publication and/or scholarship in the field of the thesis. The director shall be a full-time member of the faculty of the University. The definition of faculty shall include professional staff who hold secondary faculty appointments within the department or faculty with joint appointments in the MA student's unit. Faculty who have retired or resigned from the University may continue to chair committees of students whose work began under their direction prior to their retirement or departure from the University. Individuals who do not meet the above stated definition given for faculty status may co-chair the thesis committee provided that the other co-chair meets the definition for faculty status, or may serve as second readers.

The student must first seek an MA thesis director in the appropriate field/language (i.e. French/Spanish/Applied Linguistics) who is willing to direct the thesis. Together, the thesis director and student will create a proposal. The thesis proposal must be approximately one page of single-spaced text in length. The potential director and student will act in collaboration to select a second reader for the thesis. The second reader preferably shall be selected from the UD campus.

The Thesis Proposal and Thesis Proposal Notification Form must be sent to the appropriate GSC representative, who will circulate the proposal to the appropriate faculty in their language section for input and feedback, before submitting it to the Director of Graduate Studies. The student may register for thesis credit contingent upon project approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Once a student is registered, the director suggests a schedule of meetings during the first semester (See below Thesis to MA Checklist for suggested schedule). In these tutorial sessions, the readings selected are discussed and an outline for the paper is established. Advice may be solicited from the second reader. At the end of the first semester, the student writes a report on progress made and outlines a schedule for completion of the work remaining in the second semester. A copy of the report is submitted to the thesis director, the second reader, and the Director of Graduate Studies. The thesis director will assign the student a grade of satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

The director arranges the meetings for the second semester in which the drafts of the thesis are examined and revised. Advice may be solicited from the second reader, who has been previously provided with the draft at the same time as the director.

An MA thesis may be substituted for two courses (6 credits, 3 in the first semester, and 3 in the final semester) in the MA-LLC or MA- LLCP programs.

The thesis may be written in either the target language or in English; however, the one-page abstract required by the Graduate School must be written in English. The thesis must follow the guidelines of the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (for theses written in the field of Literature) or the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (for theses written in the field of Second Language Acquisition.) For further information regarding the thesis writing process, see the Thesis Manual.

The text of theses written in the field of Literature (excluding endnotes and bibliography) must be at least 50 pages in length. Note: No length requirements apply to theses written in the field of Applied Linguistics.

A thesis defense is not required. However, the student may be questioned about his/her thesis during the MA Oral Comprehensive Examination.

The thesis director, second reader, and student should have the latest version of the regulations concerning theses and dissertations issued by the Office of Graduate Studies. All University regulations regarding format, deadlines, etc. must be followed. Please see the Thesis Dissertation Policies.

The thesis director gives the student an "S" or a "U" for the research portion of the project (first 3 credits) which takes place during the first semester. Upon completion of the thesis, a grade is given. The grade covers the two semesters of work (six credits) and replaces the "S" or "U" given in the first semester. The second reader is not required to sign off on the thesis or to approve the final grade for the project.

A bound hard copy of all completed theses must be delivered to the Graduate Secretary to be deposited in the Department's archives.

MA THESIS CHECKLIST

Below is a checklist to help you go from thesis proposal to graduation. Please note the forms required at each step. Some forms are submitted to the department (103 Jastak-Burgess Hall) and others are submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies (234 Hullihen Hall). Also, as you approach your final semester/graduation please be aware of the university deadlines for submitting your thesis and application for graduation. A list of these dates can be found on the Graduate College website.

1. Decide on a topic and choose a committee

1. You must have a minimum of 2 committee members:

1. A director of your thesis. If your chosen director is non-tenured, continuing track, or S-contract, please be advised that co-directors may be required. The Thesis Director must be from DLLC.
2. In conjunction with your director/s, a second reader will be selected, preferably from the University of Delaware.

1. FORMS:

1. (Department) With the approval of the Thesis Director, to the Director of Graduate Studies:
1. Thesis Proposal and Committee Notification to Department 2. Writing Your Thesis

1. Human Subjects/IRB Approval

1. Does your research require IRB approval? You need to have an approved thesis proposal BEFORE submitting an IRB proposal. Determine what type of approval your project may need by visiting the Research Office website.

2. Have you completed Human Subjects Training? Some students complete this during the course of other research or in a class. If you have not completed it, you may attend an in-person training or an online training. See the Research website for more information.

3. If your research requires IRB approval you will need to complete a proposal to submit to the review board. The proposals are completed online (www.irbnet.org). You will need to set up an account. There are forms to download and a place for you to upload documents. You will find more information about what needs to be included in your proposal (such as consent forms, questions, data storage, etc.) You and your committee chair will need to sign off on this.

4. Make sure to check the research calendar for a list of IRB meetings. Proposals that require a full board review are only heard once a month. Others are approved on an on-going basis. You may be asked to make revisions or answer questions about your proposal. You may not start data collection without this approval.

5. IRB approval needs to be renewed every year while you are still collecting or actively using the data.

3. Writing Your Thesis: Suggested Timelines/Guidelines

1. MA-LLCP suggested timeline/guideline:

1. Year 1, Fall: Students interested in pursuing the Thesis Option should approach their advisor for discussion and consideration of the potential project. After discussion with the advisor and getting GSC approval, the student must, in consultation with the advisor, seek an MA thesis director in the appropriate field/language who is willing to direct the thesis. Students are encouraged to work with a director with whom they have taken a class. Students considering the Thesis Option should recognize the thesis as a writing intensive project. Students must demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as excellent research and writing skills in their first-semester coursework.

2. Year 1, Spring: Thesis proposal (including research schedule) must be submitted and approved by the Thesis Director, and by the Graduate Studies Committee, before the end of the spring semester. (IRB Training should also be completed before the end of this term.)

3. Year 1, Summer: Literature review and data collection plan must be submitted to Thesis Director by the end of the summer.

4. Year 2, Fall: Following IRB approval, data collection must be completed the end of the fall.

5. Year 2, Winter: Data analysis must be submitted and approved by Thesis Director by the end of the winter session.

6. Year 2, Spring, March 1: A complete thesis draft needs to be reviewed/approved by the Thesis Director.

7. Year 2, Spring, March 31: Feedback from the second reader should reach the candidate no later than March 31st.

8. Year 2, Spring, April: confirm Graduate Office deadline to turn in thesis.

1. MA-LLC suggested timeline/guideline:

1. Year 1, Fall: Students interested in pursuing the Thesis Option should approach their advisor for discussion and consideration of the potential project. Students considering the Thesis Option should recognize the thesis as a writing intensive project. Students must demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as excellent research and writing skills in their first-semester coursework.

2. Year 1, Spring: Thesis proposals turned in. Any vagueness in the proposal will be eliminated by the end of the semester, or at the latest by the end of the summer. Student should spend the summer creating a bibliography, fleshing out an outline/timeline for the thesis

3. Year 2, Fall, October 1: Progress Report 1 (should indicate at least 25% of work completed)

4. Year 2, Fall, December 1: Progress Report 2 (should include about 75% but not less than 50% of work completed)

5. Year 2, Spring, February 15: The first draft of the completed thesis is due to the Director and 2nd reader.

6. Year 2, Spring, March 1: The Director approves the complete thesis draft.

7. Year 2, Spring, March 15: The 2nd reader returns feedback to student.

8. Year 2, Spring, April 1: The Student completes corrections, if any. The student prepares the thesis according to the UD guidelines, and submits the thesis to the Graduate Office by the required date.

9. The student must provide a complete copy of the final MA thesis for signing by the Thesis Director.

4. Thesis Format

• Use the UD Thesis/Dissertation Templates and Guidelines to make sure you are formatting the document properly. These tools can be found on the Graduate College website.
• Make sure to have current information for the Dean of Arts & Science and the Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education for your signature pages. 5. Plan ahead!

• When do you want to graduate? Please note that you have to apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester you plan to graduate.
• Make sure you pay attention to the university deadlines for submitting your thesis. This is often one month prior to the end of the semester.
• You will also need to take into account any revisions to your thesis. You should allow for at least a few weeks to complete revisions and any formatting that needs to be done before you can submit it to the university.
• FORMS:

1. To the research office (if needed): online submission of IRB proposal through www.irbnet.org
2. To the graduate office: Application for Advanced Degree

** Signature pages: The University requires 3 original copies of the first signature page that appears in your dissertation (see UD Dissertation template for guidelines). These must be printed on 25% cotton bond paper.

6. After You Have Written Your Thesis

• Complete revisions requested by committee. The time you will have to complete revisions will depend on when you plan to graduate so make sure to be aware of deadlines.
• SCHEDULE A MEETING with the Office of Graduate Studies to submit your dissertation and final paperwork. Please visit the Graduate College website for more details about what to bring.
• SUBMIT the following paperwork:

1. To the Dean's Office (Dean of Arts & Sciences )
• A copy of your thesis
• THREE signed originals of your first signature pages (on 25% cotton bond).
• You will need to bring to the submission meeting these three signature pages.
1. To the Graduate College:
• A PDF copy of your dissertation to the graduate office
• Instructions on this and how to check to make sure your fonts are embedded can be found on the Graduate Co​llege website.
• The three original and SIGNED first signature pages (signed be the committee members, chair, and dean)
• Three original Title Pages
• Three original Abstracts
1. To the department
1. A bound copy of the final version of your thesis​

Students who wish to take a leave of absence before they have completed their requirements for the MA degree must put their request in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies, who, if it is approved by the Department, will forward it for the approval of the Graduate Studies Office (with a copy to the Chair of Graduate Studies, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures). During the period of the leave, they do not have library borrowing privileges. No sustaining fee is required. Students should be aware of the fact that the 5 year deadline for completing requirements for the degree is strictly enforced; a leave of absence slows progress towards degree completion and should be requested only in extraordinary circumstances.

The University's Morris Library offers the following research services for Graduate Students:

DelCat Discovery

An online service which provides quick reference to books, journals, audiovisual media, and other resource materials shelved in the Library, available online, or available at libraries worldwide through Interlibrary Loan. There are some links to licensed materials that are only available to current University of Delaware students: use your UDelNet ID and password when prompted to access these online resources.

Modern Language Association International Bibliography

This bibliography is useful for finding both books and articles relevant to the subject of your research. If you are logging in from off-campus, use your UDelNet ID and password when prompted. 2-Factor authentication is now required when accessing UD addresses remotely. For help searching the MLA International Bibliography, contact the librarian for your discipline.

MLA Citation Style

Should a question arise concerning the format of a research paper or the manner in which a work should be cited, consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers and the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. These manuals are available at the Reference Desk or may be purchased in most local and online book stores. See also the Library's Citing Your Sources: MLA guide, the UD Writing Center's Resources and, the MLA's own Frequently Asked Questions about MLA Style. More information can be found on the MLA web site.

Study Carrels

Graduate students seeking quiet solitary study may apply for a study carrel in Morris Library:

1. Proceed to the second floor Administrative Office located in Morris Library (831-2231).
2. Applications are available: two to three pages in length; the applications require student information and the signature of either the Chair of the student's particular Department or the student's advisor.
3. The completed application needs to be returned to the Administrative Office and requires a week to process.
4. The student also needs to provide a deposit for the key to the carrel. Upon receipt of the key at the end of the semester, the deposit will be refunded.

Research Guides

Librarians maintain research guides by subject to help students find library resources relevant to their areas of study.

Return Policy

The library will loan books to University graduate students for 60 days. Visit the University of Delaware Information for Graduate Students page for more information.

Graduate Studies will accept up to nine credits of graduate-level work in which the student received a grade of at least a B- in the following categories:

Transfer credits in the major field earned at another university.

Transfer credits earned while participating in the exchange programs in Caen, Granada and future sites. Students will be permitted to earn up to six credits for one semester or nine credits for one year towards their MA at Delaware. Please note: Students who have already received the maximum nine hours of transfer credits allowable under University policy may not receive credit for course work done on departmental exchange programs. Regulations governing credit transfer for Departmental exchange programs are as follows:

1. The credits will be awarded as transfer credits if possible; in this case, the courses for which credit is sought must be approved by the Chair of the student's language faculty. Normally, literature and literary theory courses offered in the target language will qualify for transfer. Once the student has identified the course(s) in which he/she would like to enroll, the student should immediately petition his/her language faculty Chair for approval of the course(s) for which credit is desired. The language faculty Chair will respond in writing as quickly as possible, sending a copy of the approval letter to the Director of Graduate Studies. Proper documentation in the form of a transcript from the international institution will normally be required in order to get approval for the credit transfer.
2. In the absence of a course transcript, credits may also be awarded by examination, but only if prior approval has been granted according to the process outlined above. It is recommended that the examination consist of an oral interview conducted by the language faculty Chair who will ask the student to provide as evidence of course work the course syllabus or program, papers submitted, examinations taken, and a letter from the course professor certifying that the student has done at least good quality (i.e. B) work in the course. The language faculty Chair must then submit a recommendation to the Director of Graduate Studies who will give final approval if it is warranted.
3. All courses will transfer pass/fail.
4. Transfer credit will be awarded only for approved courses taken abroad; "life experiences," no matter how rich, do not qualify. Courses that require neither exams nor written papers are not eligible for credit transfer. Nor will independent studies conducted by University of Delaware faculty be approved unless the faculty member is in residence at the international site.

Intramural Credit Transfer

University regulations permit students to transfer up to nine credits from Continuing Education (CEND) to the Graduate School. These courses transfer with grades.