M.A. programs typically require two years of full-time study, and are offered in French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, Spanish Studies, Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, and Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. The Master's degree in any of these fields may serve as the initial, two-year segment of Ph.D. study in the department, or as a terminal degree. The M.A. degree can also provide the academic foundation for teaching at the secondary or primary school levels.<br>Master's degrees may be earned under either of two plans, as determined by the advisory committee. Either Plan A or Plan B may be used for completing the M.A. to enter the Ph.D. Plan A requires not fewer than twenty-one credits of advanced course work and for students entering Fall 1998 or later, not fewer than nine additional credits of Master's Thesis Research (GRAD 5950 or GRAD 5960), and the writing of a thesis. Plan B requires not fewer than thirty credits of advanced course work, a final examination, but no thesis. In either case, advisory committees may require more than the minimum number of credits.<br><br>Students following either M.A. plan must complete the required number of course credits including a course in Literary Theory and in Foreign Language Teaching Methodology, as approved by the student's committee. Students who seek state teaching certification should elect the Teaching Methodology course, and consult with the NEAG School of Education concerning other inclusions, further courses in Education are ordinarily required.