MA Master of Arts 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal loan type is available to graduate students, including MA candidates, and does not require demonstrated financial need?
- Subsidized Direct Loan
- Unsubsidized Direct Loan (Correct answer)
- Perkins Loan
- Parent PLUS Loan
Correct answer: Unsubsidized Direct Loan
Graduate students are eligible for Unsubsidized Direct Loans regardless of financial need, though interest accrues during enrollment.
Question 2: What is the primary function of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for an MA student conducting human subjects research?
- To set tuition rates
- To review and approve research protocols to protect human participants (Correct answer)
- To certify that a student's writing is plagiarism-free
- To schedule thesis defenses
Correct answer: To review and approve research protocols to protect human participants
The IRB reviews research designs involving human subjects to ensure ethical treatment, informed consent, and minimal risk to participants.
Question 3: Which citation style is most commonly required in MA programs focused on literature and the humanities in the US?
- APA
- MLA
- Chicago/Turabian (Correct answer)
- Vancouver
Correct answer: Chicago/Turabian
Chicago/Turabian style is widely used in history and many humanities MA programs, though MLA is common in literature; both are more prevalent than APA in these fields.
Question 4: What distinguishes a 'professional' MA from a 'research' MA?
- A professional MA is less rigorous
- A professional MA is designed for applied career skills, while a research MA prepares students for scholarly careers (Correct answer)
- A research MA requires no thesis
- A professional MA cannot be earned at research universities
Correct answer: A professional MA is designed for applied career skills, while a research MA prepares students for scholarly careers
Professional MA programs focus on practical skills for industry careers, whereas research MA programs emphasize methodology and scholarly contribution.
Question 5: How does a dual-degree MA program typically work?
- Students earn two separate degrees from two institutions without sharing any credits
- Students complete two graduate degrees simultaneously with some overlapping coursework, saving time (Correct answer)
- Students alternate between two countries each semester
- Students must hold two bachelor's degrees before applying
Correct answer: Students complete two graduate degrees simultaneously with some overlapping coursework, saving time
A dual-degree program allows students to earn two graduate degrees concurrently, with some courses counting toward both, reducing total time and credits required.
Question 6: Which of the following best explains why some MA programs require proficiency in a second language?
- To satisfy federal education mandates
- To ensure students can engage with scholarship and primary sources not available in English (Correct answer)
- To prepare students for international business
- To meet accreditation requirements for all graduate programs
Correct answer: To ensure students can engage with scholarship and primary sources not available in English
Language requirements ensure scholars can read critical texts and archival sources in their original languages, which is essential in many humanities fields.
Question 7: What is 'continuous enrollment' policy in MA programs and why do programs enforce it?
- Students must enroll in at least 12 credits every semester
- Students must remain enrolled each semester until degree completion to maintain active status and access to resources (Correct answer)
- Students must attend class continuously without absences
- Students must enroll in the same courses twice to ensure mastery
Correct answer: Students must remain enrolled each semester until degree completion to maintain active status and access to resources
Continuous enrollment policies require students to register each term (even for a minimal 'thesis hours' credit) to preserve their student status and institutional access.
MA Master of Arts 5
Which federal loan type is available to graduate students, including MA candidates, and does not require demonstrated financial need?