Master of Arts in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

The Center awards an interdisciplinary M.A. degree. Requirements for the degree are:

1) One course of advanced language (in addition to the 27-hour requirement, below).

2) Three courses, for a total of 9 credit hours, in the department or subject group of the student's special interest; at least two of these courses must be area specific.

3) One course in each of the other four subject groupings for a total of 12 credit hours. The five thematic areas are: 1) History, 2) Political Science, 3) Literature and the Arts, 4) Philosophy and Religion, 5) Economics, Business, Geography

4) Successful completion of REES 898-899, an interdisciplinary Master of Arts seminar (6 credit hours). In this year-long course, students write an interdisciplinary paper involving the use of a regional language. Before enrolling for this course, the student must have completed a total of 22 semester credit hours (three years), or the equivalent, in the target language.

5) Pass a comprehensive examination in addition to regular course examinations.

Admission Criteria and How to Apply

Most applicants to the REES program have completed an undergraduate major in the social sciences or humanities, but successful REES graduate students have come from other fields. While a student’s GPA and GRA scores are helpful in determining his/her overall academic potential, the department uses a holistic approach toward admissions, looking at all elements of the application packet before making a decision undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, statement of intent). In the past, the average GPA has been above 3.28 and the GRE scores of successful MA applicants have been above-average (verbal, quantitative and analytical). Students may begin study in either semester or summer session, and applications are accepted year-round.

Applicants to the REES program should submit the following materials:

1) An application form for admission to the Graduate School. Application. Paper Application.
2) Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
3) One original transcript for all previously completed college-level work.
4) Three letters of recommendation.
5) A one- to two-page statement of educational and professional objectives.
6) A check or money order, payable to "The University of Kansas," according to the amount denoted here. The Center regrets that no financial support is available to beginning international students.

Application materials (application and fees) must be mailed to:
Graduate Applications
Graduate School
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Room 300
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7535

Please send the other materials (Letters of Recommendation, Transcript, Statement of Intent and GRE scores) to:
Ray Finch, Assistant Director
Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
310 Bailey Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045

Click here for information about sources of funding for eligible students

For further information about the Master of Arts in REES, or to request application materials, contact:

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
320 Bailey Hall
1440 Jayhawk Blvd.
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045-7574
Telephone: (785) 864-4236
Fax: (785) 864-3800
E-mail: crees@ku.edu