Master of Arts in Area Studies: Program Description

Area Studies at Virginia Tech is a collaborative program among the departments of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, and History. An option within the established graduate program in History, this interdisciplinary degree focuses on the interrelations among history, language, and culture. A rich and diversified curriculum with courses in history, culture and civilization, literature, and related fields will prepare students for careers in a variety of domains.

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.

The Master of Arts in Area Studies degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit distributed as follows: 3 hours of Area Studies Methods, 9 hours in History, 9 hours in Foreign Languages and Literatures, and 6 hours in Geography or approved courses in related fields. Students normally complete their degree program in four semesters.

A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships is available.