What is Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies?
The Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (REES) program offers students advanced knowledge of the languages, arts, literatures, histories, societies, politics, and cultures of Russia, Ukraine, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and countries of the West Slavic (Poland, Czech Republic) and South Slavic (Balkan) regions. This broad geographical region is home to rich and diverse cultures that have had an enormous impact on world civilization. It is central to strategic, political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues of the present and future. KU's program is interdisciplinary and draws on over 35 faculty members and courses from 12 different KU departments and schools.
Click here to see how to apply.
Master of Arts in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
The Center awards an interdisciplinary M.A. degree. Requirements for the degree include 30 credit hours distributed as follows:
1) One course of advanced language.
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.
The five thematic areas are: 1) Literature and the Arts, 2) History, 3) Political Science, 4) Philosophy and Religion, 5) Economics, Business, Geography
3) One course in each of the other four subject groupings for a total of 12 credit hours.
4) Successful completion of REES 898 and REES 899, an interdisciplinary M.A. seminar (6 credit hours), develops advanced research skills. REES 898, which is normally taken at the beginning of the degree program, emphasizes learning the tools and methods necessary to study this region of the world. In REES 899, students write an interdisciplinary research paper using materials in the student’s chosen target language. Before enrolling in REES 899, the student must have completed an advanced language course 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 GRE 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 (language preparation, 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 M.A. applicants have been above-average (verbal, quantitative and analytical).
For priority admission (and to be considered for funding) for FALL semester, please submit all materials by January 1st. It may be possible for students to begin the program off-cycle in the Spring or Summer semesters; please contact the Associate Director, Professor Eve Levin at crees@ku.edu to discuss this option.
For further information about the Master of Arts in REES, please contact us:
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
How to Apply to the REES M.A. Program
Please submit the following materials to the Graduate Application Processing Center (GAPC):
Graduate Application Processing Center (GAPC)
313 Strong Hall
1450 Jayhawk Blvd
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
tel. (785) 864-3140
1) An application form for admission to the Graduate School. This application may be completed on-line OR on paper On-line Application. Paper Application.
2) Payment of the application fee. (For the amount, check here.) Payment may be made on-line by credit card or by electronic check. To pay by mail, please send a check or money order to GAPC.
Please submit the following materials to the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (CREES):
Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
320 Bailey Hall
1440 Jayhawk Blvd.
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045-7574
Tel: (785) 864-4236
Fax: (785) 864-3800
Email: crees@ku.edu
1) The application cover sheet, available here.
2) A two-page statement of educational and professional objectives.
3) One original transcript for all post-secondary education.
4) Three letters of recommendation, each accompanied by the Graduate Letter of Recommendation Form
5) Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. (General test—verbal, quantitative, analytical writing—only). Specialized subject tests are not required.
Important: When you sign up to take the GRE, please list the following codes and
the GRE Center will send your scores to CREES.
University of Kansas institutional code – 6871.
Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies department code - 2201.
Click here for information about sources of funding for eligible students.
