Although only students intending to proceed to the Ph.D. degree are admitted to the program, a student may decide to leave the program with an M.A. degree, or the Executive Committee may recommend this course of action. The M.A. degree may be obtained in one of two ways:

• Upon completion of 30 credits of coursework, a student who wishes to leave the program may petition to take a comprehensive written examination for a terminal M.A., devised by the students Adviser in consultation with the Graduate Director, based on a list of 25 texts compiled in consultation with the adviser, and the approval of the Graduate Director. The Adviser and the Graduate Director will evaluate the exam.
• Students who are proceeding to the Ph.D. may obtain the M.A. after passing the doctoral exam by submitting the appropriate candidacy and diploma forms. However, if the student fails to file the proper paperwork, the documentation for the Masters degree will not appear on the student’s transcript.