MASTER'S DEGREE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does your program provide funding for masters students? 

No, at this time we are not able to provide funding for masters students. U.S. Citizens may be eligible for student loans and campus employment. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

What is the time to degree for masters students? 

Our average time-to-degree for masters students is 2 years.

What is the cost-of-living in Binghamton, New York?

The cost of living in Binghamton, NY, is relatively low compared to large cities and many other areas in the USA, as you can see for your self with any internet cost-of-living calculator.  Information, on the cost of attending Binghamton University, may be found on the Student Accounts Costs of Attending page. For tuition and fees, please check the Student Accounts Rates Table (.pdf, 117kb).

Do I need to have bachelor’s degree in English Literature in order to be admitted to the masters program?  

An undergraduate degree in English is desirable for admission to the masters program, but this does not preclude the admission of students whose education has been in related fields.

Is it possible to waive the foreign language requirement for the masters program? 

No, all masters candidates must demonstrate, during the time of their program, a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language. Such competence may be demonstrated in any one of four ways:

1. Evidence of the student having passed a certified translation examination in a graduate program at some other institution.
2. Presenting transcript evidence of at least three years (six semesters) of college-level study of a single foreign language (fourth- and fifth-year high school study in the same language counts as two semesters each) with a grade average of B or better, completed no more than five years before admission to the MA program at Binghamton University. 
3. Successful completion of a graduate course in a foreign language or of a graduate course in comparative literature in which a significant portion of the work is done in a foreign language. 
4. Successful completion of a graduate proficiency workshop and examination (TRIP 707).