Candidates for the master of arts in Scandinavian studies will specialize in one and only one of the following three fields: literature, philology, or area studies.
Scandinavian studies is in the oldest such department in the Americas, tracing its roots to 1875. Department faculty have received numerous awards and other marks of recognition for their teaching and scholarship. The department offers the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy in Scandinavian studies. A doctoral minor is also available. Graduate students must be fluent in one Scandinavian language and specialize in one particular area, but they may expect to gain a knowledge of the wider Nordic region during their studies. The program offers the possibility to attain a broad education in Scandinavian culture that has proven to be extremely useful in students' professional careers. Students will become well-versed in theory and methodology as well as in cultural history. The department possesses particular strengths in Scandinavian literature, Old Norse philology, and Nordic folklore. Within these broader categories, students may pursue interests in such topics as, mythology, Sámi studies, saint's lives, modernism, sagas, gender criticism, immigration studies, national identity—to name only a few. Languages offered in the department include Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Sámi, and Swedish. The department has an excellent record of placing its Ph.D. graduates in good positions in the field.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website. Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online. |
| Fall Deadline | January 2 |
| Spring Deadline | November 15 |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applicants should have a B.A. degree from an approved institution, a major in a field of humanities or social studies, and an outstanding record. Applicants are expected to have preparation equivalent to an undergraduate major in Scandinavian studies at UW–Madison, and must either have taken three years of a Scandinavian language or must demonstrate (by examination) equivalent competence in one Scandinavian language or Finnish. A GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for admission; students with a GPA below 3.25 but above 3.00 may be considered for admission on probation. All applicants must submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and processes related to funding.
Program Resources
The department has a number of scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and readerships at its disposal and makes a serious effort to provide qualified students with adequate financial assistance and teaching experience throughout their graduate careers.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Evening/Weekend: These programs are offered in an evening and/or weekend format to accommodate working schedules. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses and personal connections, while keeping your day job. For more information about the meeting schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Online: These programs are offered primarily online. Many available online programs can be completed almost entirely online with all online programs offering at least 50 percent or more of the program work online. Some online programs have an on-campus component that is often designed to accommodate working schedules. Take advantage of the convenience of online learning while participating in a rich, interactive learning environment. For more information about the online nature of a specific program, contact the program. Hybrid: These programs have innovative curricula that combine on-campus and online formats. Most hybrid programs are completed on-campus with a partial or completely online semester. For more information about the hybrid schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Accelerated: These on-campus programs are offered in an accelerated format that allows you to complete your program in a condensed time-frame. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses with minimal disruption to your career. For more information about the accelerated nature of a specific program, contact the program. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework (15 credits out of 30 total credits) must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.25 GPA required. GPA of 3.0 or above may be considered for admission on probation. |
| Other Grade Requirements | No other requirements. |
| Assessments and Examinations | All M.A. tracks require a comprehensive written and oral examination. The literature and area studies tracks offer a thesis option. |
| Language Requirements | All tracks require an advanced competency in a modern Scandinavian language. If the modern Scandinavian Language is Finnish or Icelandic, a working knowledge of Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish is required. For all tracks a minimal competency (e.g., ETS score of 525) in German or another research language approved by the department is required. The philology track requires two semesters of Old Norse or its equivalent. For the literature track a competency in Old Norse is encouraged. |
Required COURSES
Each track has specific course requirements to be met.
Literary and Cultural Studies Track1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 30 graduate degree credits, minimum. | ||
| Required Courses (15-17 credits) | ||
| SCAND ST 401 | Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Old Norse | ||
| Mythology of Scandinavia | ||
| The Vikings | ||
| The Icelandic Sagas | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| History of Scandinavia to 1815 | ||
| History of Scandinavia Since 1815 | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavia: Politics and History | ||
| Select one of the following, depending on individual circumstances and determined in consultation with the graduate advisor (3 credits): | 3 | |
| Seminar in Special Topics | ||
| Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1500-1800 | ||
| Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1800-1890 | ||
| Select a course that includes professional development (3 credits): | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Bibliography and Research | ||
| GNS 700 Graduate Seminar in Professional Development | ||
| Total credits: | 15-17 | |
| Recommended courses: | ||
| SCAND ST 419 | Scandinavian Children's Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST 420 | The Woman in Scandinavian Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST 422 | The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | 4 |
| SCAND ST 423 | The Drama of August Strindberg | 4 |
| SCAND ST 424 | Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 426 | Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST 427 | Contemporary Scandinavian Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST/LITTRANS 428 | Memory and Literature from Proust to Knausgard | 3 |
| SCAND ST 433 | The Scandinavian Tale and Ballad | 4 |
| SCAND ST 434 | The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | 4 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL 446 | Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | 3 |
| SCAND ST 450 | Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context | 3-4 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Philology Track1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The following are departmental guidelines for a philology specialization, though ultimately everything must be approved by the graduate advisor. | ||
| 30 graduate credits, minimum. | ||
| Required courses (21 credits) | ||
| SCAND ST 401 | Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | 3 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 407 & SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 408 | Old Norse and Old Norse | 6 |
| SCAND ST 410 | Introduction to Scandinavian Linguistics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: (3 credits) | 3 | |
| History of the Scandinavian Languages II: Standard Languages | ||
| Topics in Scandinavian Linguistics | ||
| Select one of the following: (3 credits) | 3 | |
| The Scandinavian Heritage in America | ||
| Survey of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature | ||
| Select a course that includes professional development: (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Bibliography and Research | ||
| GNS 700 Graduate Seminar in Professional Development | ||
| Total credits: | 21 | |
| Other recommended Courses: | ||
| SCAND ST 435 | The Icelandic Sagas | 4 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL 446 | Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | 3 |
| GERMAN/MEDIEVAL 755 | Old Germanic Languages | 3 |
| GERMAN 768 | Comparative and Historical Grammar of the Old Germanic Languages | 3 |
| GERMAN 991 | Individual Research Linguistics and Germanic Philology | 1-9 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 520 | Old English | 3 |
| ENGL 417 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| ENGL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 360 | The Anglo-Saxons | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Area Studies Track1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 30 graduate degree credits, minimum. | ||
| Required Courses (24-29 credits): | ||
| Select one of the following: (3 credits) | 3 | |
1. One Seminar in the student's emphasis area. | ||
2. A thesis of ca. 40-50 pages on a topic agreed upon by the student and advisor. | ||
| One course in Scandinavian literature or literary history. (3-4 credits) | 3-4 | |
| SCAND ST 401 | Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | 3 |
| A course that includes professional development. (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Bibliography and Research | ||
| GNS 700 Graduate Seminar in Professional Development | ||
| Four (4) courses agreed upon by the student and advisor; Courses need not be within the Scandinavian Studies program, but should be identified by the student and advisor during the first year of study. (12-16 credits) | 12-16 | |
| Total credits: | 24-29 | |
| Other recommended courses: | ||
| SCAND ST 429 | Mythology of Scandinavia | 4 |
| SCAND ST/HISTORY 431 | History of Scandinavia to 1815 | 3 |
| SCAND ST/HISTORY 432 | History of Scandinavia Since 1815 | 3 |
| SCAND ST 433 | The Scandinavian Tale and Ballad | 4 |
| SCAND ST 435 | The Icelandic Sagas | 4 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE 440 | Scandinavian American Folklore | 3 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE 443 | Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today | 4 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 444 | Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore | 4 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL 446 | Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | 3 |
| SCAND ST 496 | The Scandinavian Heritage in America | 3 |
| Possible courses of interest: | ||
| FOLKLORE 320 | Folklore of Wisconsin | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/RELIG ST 359 | Myth | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 451 | The Supernatural in the Modern World | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 460 | Folk Epics | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/GEN&WS 467 | Women and Politics in Popular Culture and Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/ANTHRO 520 | Ethnic Representations in Wisconsin | 4 |
| FOLKLORE/COM ARTS 522 | Digitally Documenting Everyday Communication | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/MUSIC 535 | American Folk and Vernacular Music | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/ANTHRO/MUSIC/THEATRE 539 | The Folklore of Festivals and Celebrations | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 540 | Local Culture and Identity in the Upper Midwest | 3 |
| ART HIST 364 | History of American Art: Art, Material Culture, and Constructions of Identity, 1607-present | 3-4 |
| ART HIST 432 | Multiculturalism and the New Museology | 3-4 |
| ART HIST 463 | Topics in American Material Culture | 3-4 |
| ART HIST 601 | Introduction to Museum Studies I | 3 |
| ENGL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 360 | The Anglo-Saxons | 3 |
| ENGL/MEDIEVAL 427 | Chaucer's Canterbury Tales | 3 |
| GEOG 342 | Geography of Wisconsin | 3 |
| GERMAN 650 | History of the German Language | 3 |
| GERMAN/MEDIEVAL 651 | Introduction to Middle High German | 3 |
| GERMAN/MEDIEVAL 755 | Old Germanic Languages | 3 |
| HISTORY 359 | History of Europe Since 1945 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 408 | American Labor History: 1900-Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/SCAND ST 577 | Contemporary Scandinavia: Politics and History | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 929 | Labor and Working Class History in the United States | 3 |
| HISTORY/L I S 976 | Special Problems in Archives-Manuscripts Administration | 3 |
| LAND ARC 677 | Cultural Resource Preservation and Landscape History | 3 |
| LAND ARC/ANTHRO/ART HIST/DS/HISTORY 764 | Dimensions of Material Culture | 4 |
| RELIG ST/FOLKLORE 352 | Shamanism | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Graduate Program Handbook
A Graduate Program Handbook containing all of the program's policies and requirements is forthcoming from the program.
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a Master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
If a student at any time fails to meet the above criteria for satisfactory progress, he/she is placed on probation. If, by the end of the following semester, progress has not been brought to a satisfactory level, a committee of three faculty members will be established to determine whether any circumstance exists that prevent the dropping of the student from the program.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
In order to encourage progress toward the degree and to determine the status of a student’s program, the department requests an annual activities report from all continuing students to be submitted by the end of January. In the case of first-year students, this report will, of course, only cover work done during the fall semester. A copy of this report will be placed in the student’s permanent file. Students are expected to consult regularly on their progress with their advisor.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time Constraints
The normal time for completing the requirements for the M.A. is three to four semesters, although more time can be allowed if a student is entering with deficiencies or has had teaching assistantships, which necessitate a lower credit load.
Other
n/a
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
- Articulates, critiques, or elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry or schools of practice in the field of study.
- Identifies sources and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of study.
- Demonstrates understanding of the primary field of study in a historical, social, or global context.
- Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate methodologies and practices.
- Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of study.
- Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to the field of study.
- Possesses an advanced competency in a Nordic language and a serviceable master of an additional research language.
- Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.