Section Pages

M.A. Program in Area Studies
Ph.D. Program in "ASPECT"
Graduate Certificate in German Studies

Graduate Studies

M.A. Program in "Area Studies"

Area Studies is a collaborative program among the departments of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, History, and the International Studies Program. An option within the established graduate program in History, this interdisciplinary degree focuses on Europe ( France, Germany, Spain) and Latin America. A rich and diversified curriculum with courses in history, culture and civilization, literature, geography, development, political science, economics, architecture, and urban affairs and planning will prepare students for careers that require expertise in a chosen international area of specialization. The Area Studies program is well-suited for those considering teaching, field work with development agencies, free-lance translation, diplomacy, research for various government and private agencies, and further studies leading to a Ph.D.

For more information please visit the Area Studies webpage:

The Area Studies Program accepts students who want to achieve a Five-year Bachelor/Master's Degree. (Undergraduate students with a 3.5 or above GPA may apply for admission to the Graduate School upon the completion of 75 hours of undergraduate study.) Click here for more information about undergraduate grade requirements.

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Ph.D. Program in "ASPECT"
(Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical and Cultural Thought)

This program allies together a multidisciplinary coalition of departments: Philosophy, Political Science, History, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Faculty and students in this program will conduct research and participate in graduate seminars addressing developing theoretical problems at the intersections of political theory, ethical philosophy, cultural studies, and intellectual history. Typical issues include state sovereignty, religion and politics, comparative ethics, security and democracy, material culture, science and technology, global change, identity and otherness, environmental crisis, networks and states, or corporate power.

For more information please visit following webpage: http://www.aspect.vt.edu/

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Graduate Certificate in "German Studies":

We are currently in the process of developing a German Studies Certificate to accompany graduate study at the Master's degree level in virtually any field. The pursuit of the Certificate will enable students to deepen and more sharply focus their knowledge of German language and culture to complement their work in other Master's degree programs, such as History, Geography, Philosophy, Political Science, Area Studies, Marketing or Urban Affairs and Planning. The Certificate will confirm the student's ability to engage at a high level with German literature, language and culture to enhance the student's competence, and hence his or her academic credentials. The course requirements for the certificate will in some cases be satisfied by coursework completed for the primary Master's degree.