THE INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES MASTER'S DEGREE IN FOLKLORE

1. The Interdisciplinary Studies: Folklore (IS:F) Master's Program at the University of Oregon (UO) is a flexible, but academically rigorous degree program. Within the established guidelines of the Program, the applicant plans a course of study specifically designed to explore his or her interests, and works with a faculty committee to completion of the degree. Successful completion is dependent upon individual initiative and self-discipline and on the commitment of the committee. The IS:Folklore is typically a two-year program, with the last two terms focusing on the thesis/project.

2. Admission to the Folklore Program is selective. The program is intended to meet the needs of an applicant with definite, well-articulated goals that cannot be reached through established departmental master's degree programs. The applicant selects course work from three areas; these are either departments from within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) or from professional schools. [NOTE: an interdisciplinary program may be selected as the third area only if the courses selected include graduate level courses with the prefix of the interdisciplinary program.]

3. An IS:Folklore course of study may not substantially duplicate any existing departmental master's program. The IS:Folklore Program should not be considered as an alternative method of pursuing a degree program to which an applicant has previously applied and been denied admission. Although considerable flexibility is allowed in designing an IS:Folklore Program, the curriculum must be rigorous and integrated, and clearly within the field of folklore studies.

4. Each applicant is considered on the following criteria: academic qualification, the statement of purpose, the academic merit of the proposed course work, and the availability of faculty advisors within the UO. The IS:Folklore Program shall culminate in either an integrated terminal project or a master's thesis which incorporates the three selected areas. Either the Master of Science or the Master of Arts degree may be earned through the IS:Folklore Program.

Application Deadline:

5. Applications are processed for Fall term (September) admission only and must be received by
February 15th.

Financial Aid and Graduate Teaching Fellowships

6. Financial aid information may be obtained through the Office of Student Financial Aid, 1278 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1278. A limited number of Graduate Teaching Fellowships (GTF) and Teaching Assistantships are available to IS:F candidates, but generally are not awarded to first-year graduate students. In exceptional circumstances, first year awards may be made. GTF applications are due February 15th. Awards are based on GPA, letters of recommendations, progress in program, and need.

Folklore students are encouraged to apply for other GTFs on campus. A listing of these is found at the GTF Openings page:

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/?page=gtfJobAnnouncements

The other way to get to this page is via the Graduate School homepage at:

http://gradschool.uoregon.edu

The link on this page to GTF & Employment Opportunities will take you to the GTF Openings page above. This page contains basic information on GTF position openings, FTEs and departmental contacts. It also contains GTF collective bargaining information that affects all GTF positions.

The Admission Process

An applicant seeking admission to the IS:F Program shall submit to the Folklore Program the following required documents on or before the specified deadline.

Application Form: The Graduate Application form for admission may be found online at

http://gradweb.uoregon.edu/online_app/application/guidelines.htm

The application requires a $50 nonrefundable fee, which can be paid by credit card or e-check with your on-line application. If you have any questions or problems concerning this process, please contact the Folklore department by phone or email.

Transcripts: With the exception of UO graduates, the Office of Admissions requires that every applicant submit one set of OFFICIAL transcripts from all institutions of higher education ever attended, both undergraduate and graduate. These official transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. A set of unofficial transcripts must be included in the materials sent to the Folklore Program.

Graduate Record Exam: Submission of verbal and analytical GRE scores is required at the time of application. The minimum GRE score is 500 verbal plus 4 or above on the analytical writing section (GRE-AW). Have the GRE form sent directly to the Folklore Program. [The GRE is typically offered six times each year on most campuses. Contact the Testing Center, Student Health and Counseling Center, 1280 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1280 for information on testing dates.]

In addition to the GRE, an applicant whose native language is not English must submit a copy of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. For admission to the IS:Folklore Program, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 600 on the paper-based test. For the computer-based test, a minimum score of 250 is required.

Letters of Recommendation: At least three letters of recommendation are required.
Either formal letters or the "Report on Graduate Applicant" form are acceptable. Recommendations should be written by professors who can specifically address the applicant's maturity and ability to work independently and creatively at the graduate level.

For an applicant who has been out of school for several years, letters from employers or others able to evaluate his/her abilities are appropriate.

Statement of Academic Objectives: Each applicant shall submit a statement identifying his/her reasons for applying to the IS:Folklore Program. The statement should describe the focus of the proposed plan of study. It should also describe how the three discipline areas form a comprehensive program relevant to the applicant's goals.

Tentative Program of Study: A Tentative Program of Study form lists the courses you plan to use to fulfill the minimum number of graduate credits. The Tentative Program of Study form should be submitted with application materials.

Departments and/or advisors may require a candidate to complete specific courses within an area. Be advised that the applicant is responsible for determining and fulfilling any prerequisites for graduate level courses. Any undergraduate-level prerequisite course should be listed on the Tentative Program.

IS:Folklore Program Committee: The applicant shall specify three committee members – a chair and two advisors. The chair must be chosen from the Folklore Program Committee Faculty, and the two advisors from your designated areas. Be advised that only faculty with the rank of assistant professor or above may serve on an IS:Folklore committee. It is the applicant's responsibility to contact faculty in the three areas selected to locate individuals willing to serve on his/her committee. [NOTE: The applicant may contact the Folklore Program to ask for the names of possible committee members from various areas.] It is also the applicant's responsibility to determine the availability of committee members (i.e., will not be on sabbatical leave or retiring) before degree completion.

Admission Acceptance: The Folklore Faculty and/or the IS:Folklore Program committee will consider each application in accordance with the factors listed in Paragraph 4. Each applicant will be notified in writing of his/her acceptance (or denial) into the IS:Folklore Program. The director of Folklore shall also notify the Dean of the Graduate School of the status of each applicant. The Director of Folklore shall have the final determination on the admissibility of an applicant into the IS:Folklore Program.

Admission Requirements

Application Forms

U of O Graduate School Application

PhD Information