Earn a Master’s Degree in Ethnic Studies
The M.A. program is designed for students who wish to enhance their existing scholarly training professional qualifications (or who hope to prepare themselves for admission into a relevant Ph.D. program).
While completion of the M.A. degree does not lead to automatic admission into our Ph.D. program, successful students are encouraged to apply.
Normative time to degree is six quarters.
Degree Requirements
To earn a master’s degree in ethnic studies, you must:
- Take two theory courses (ETST 200 and 201)
- Take one methodology course (ETST 203)
- Structure the remainder of your program in consultation with your faculty mentor.
- Take a minimum of 36 units and earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better (including the three core courses and at least 24 additional units in 200-series courses). At least 12 of these 24 additional units must be in ethnic studies. These courses cannot include ETST 297 or ETST 299. Eight (8) units of 100-series courses may be counted toward the unit requirement with the permission of the graduate advisor.
- Successfully complete a written M.A. exam by the end of your second year. The exam will test the student’s knowledge of the methodological and theoretical foundations of the field of Ethnic Studies and will cover material from the required core courses as well as courses in the student’s area(s) of specialization. This exam is evaluated by a faculty committee of the candidate’s choosing.
How to Apply
To see admission requirements and find out how to apply, visit the Graduate Division.