To apply to the Master's Program in Italian, applicants must have a B.A. in Italian from an accredited institution (in language, literature, or "studies") or its equivalent (equivalence is evaluated by the graduate faculty in Italian). The B.A. curriculum must be similar in content to the degree offered by the University of Virginia. Applications must be accompanied by two academic letters of reference, by the results of the GRE and (for non-native speakers of English) the TOEFL tests, and by a sample of the applicant's writing in Italian. Fluency in both English and Italian is an overriding requirement; scholarly promise is the highest consideration in the admission process. To receive an application for the MA program in Italian, complete an on-line UVA Graduate Admission's Application. For further information contact the director of graduate studies, Professor Deborah Parker.

International applicants should consult the Office of International Students and Scholars website.

Requirements for the M.A. Degree:

Conditions for granting the M.A. degree in Italian Literature include:

• A total of 27 hours or nine courses completed within two years or four academic semesters (an extension into the fifth semester is granted for a valid reason). Three hours are devoted to Literary Criticism. The remaining 24 hours (or eight courses) must include at least two period courses, at least two seminars, and at most two 500-level courses. Only courses passed with a B or better count as part of this requirement.
• "Pass" or "High Pass" in the Master's Examination ("Low Pass" and "Failure" involve partial repetition of the exam). The Master's examination consists of a written and an oral part. Candidates will prepare for it using the Program's Reading List which covers major works from all periods of Italian literature. There will be two three-hour written exams (on different days); one with a choice of questions on literature written before 1600, and the other from after 1600. In the one-hour oral exam, candidates will be questioned on areas they have not discussed in the written exams. All three portions of the exam will be separately evaluated and may be repeated once.
• A Master's Thesis accepted by two graduate faculty members. The topic of the Master's Thesis shall be agreed upon by the author and the director. The thesis can be an acceptably revised class paper. Its length and nature must be accepted by the two readers.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching experience is an important part of the training offered by the M.A. program. Most students gain this experience by winning one of the teaching assistantships offered by the program. Teaching Assistants receive a stipend plus a tuition differential. Entering students currently receive from $11,000 to $12,000, depending upon experience. TA's teach six class hours per week: 5 hours of supervised elementary language instruction, and one devoted to office hours. The Teaching Assistants work closely with the Coordinator, Prof. Deborah Parker. The ITAL 821 Pedagogy course taken in each semester of teaching is graded (S/U) on the basis of the supervisor's evaluation of actual classroom work; it includes evaluations of teaching both in language and undergraduate literature classes. Texts, methods, exercises, assignments, and tests are standardized in all courses (1TAL 101, 102, 201, and 202) taught by the Teaching Assistants. The Department offers an orientation session during the week before the beginning of classes in September: all Teaching Assistants are required to attend.

Applications for teaching assistantships are due by the end of January (foreign candidates should apply by early December); decisions are usually made by the end of March. Students enrolled in the program are also eligible to compete for the Italian House directorship as well as for instructor positions in the Summer Session Italian courses and the Summer Foreign Language Institute.