European Union Studies, MA
for the degree of Master of Arts in European Union Studies
The European Union Center administers an interdisciplinary program of language and area courses leading to a Master of Arts degree or a graduate minor open to students in other graduate programs across the university. The program is intended to serve three constituencies of students: those seeking to supplement their studies in another discipline with expertise in EU Studies; those proceeding to disciplinary-based doctoral work; and those seeking a stand-alone, applied degree with particular emphasis on European institutions and governance, combined with language and cultural studies.
Admission
Applicants for admission to the Master of Arts program should have completed at least two years of a language of the European Union and hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or another post-secondary examination such as the LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, is recommended but not required, and international students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with minimum scores set by the Graduate College. All admission requirements of the Graduate College also apply.
Applicants must submit the Graduate College application for admission, certified transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, a writing sample, and three letters of reference. Applicants must also submit to the European Union Center a statement of purpose showing how the MA degree in European Union Studies fits into their educational and career plans. This statement must show that the interdisciplinary nature of the MA in EU Studies will serve the student better than a disciplinary degree. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and written) or other post-secondary examination scores are considered but not required. Admission is ordinarily limited to the fall semester, but exceptions are made for spring and summer admission.
for the degree of Master of Arts in European Union Studies
Students pursuing the thesis option are required to conduct an oral thesis defense before an MA thesis committee. The thesis committee must consist of at least two individuals, with a minimum of one individual drawn from the EU Center Executive Staff. The thesis advisor must be a member of the Graduate Faculty.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EURO 501 & EURO 502 | EU Institutions and Governance and The EU in a Global Context | 8 |
| Language Requirement: A candidate must demonstrate proficiency in a language relevant to the study of Europe and the European Union other than English, at the advanced (third-year) level. Up to seven hours of advanced language (third or fourth-year) course work may be used toward the MA total hours. (Max 7) | 7 | |
| EURO 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 0-8 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required overall: | 12 |
| Coursework must come from at least three different academic units | |
| Up to twelve hours may be credited for MA-equivalent study abroad courses or eight hours for internship placement | |
| Up to twelve hours may be credited from graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate enrolled in participating partner departments at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign as part of the European Union Center’s 5-year BA/MA program | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EURO 501 & EURO 502 | EU Institutions and Governance and The EU in a Global Context | 8 |
| Language Requirement: A candidate must demonstrate proficiency in a language relevant to the study of Europe and the European Union other than English, at the advanced (third-year) level. Up to seven hours of advanced language (third or fourth-year) course work may be used toward the MA total hours. (Max 7) | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other Requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required overall: | 12 |
| At least two substantial research papers (seminar length of 25-30 pages each) on European Union topics as part of course work, when relevant to the candidate's professional orientation, are required. | |
| Coursework must come from at least three different academic units | |
| Up to twelve hours may be credited for MA-equivalent study abroad courses or eight hours for internship placement | |
| Up to twelve hours may be credited from graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate enrolled in participating partner departments at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign as part of the European Union Center’s 5-year BA/MA program | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
for the degree of Master of Arts in European Union Studies
- Knowledge of the primary institutions, history, and contemporary challenges of the European Union, as well as the predominant theories that scholars have developed and employed in research on topics found in EU Studies.
- Understanding of the European Union's historical and contemporary relationships with other countries and regions of the world.
- Application of thorough knowledge of appropriate research methods and the craft of argument toward the evaluation of the work of others and completion of a thesis (if applicable).
- Practice of a working command of at least one non-English language relevant to European studies.
- Ability to assess current events in regards to appropriate historical and theoretical frameworks.
for the degree of Master of Arts in European Union Studies
Graduate Degree Programs in European Union Studies
for the degree of Master of Arts in European Union Studies
European Union Center
Center Director: Emanuel Rota
European Union Center website
European Union Center, 205 Coble Hall, MC-429, 801 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 265-7515
European Union Center email
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
Admissions
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements