Program at a Glance
Format
Full Time
Length
16 months (3 semesters)
Requirements
2 semesters at Brandeis
Core courses
Electives
M.A. field project
M.A. report
Location
The program takes place at Brandeis University, a suburban campus located 9 miles west of Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Admissions And Applications Questions
II. Program Related Questions
III. The Brandeis Environment
IV. Enrollment And Financial Aid Questions
V. Visa Questions
I. Admissions And Applications Questions
When does the M.A. Program begin? The Program begins around September 1 each year.
Do you have a part time program?
Currently we are not enrolling students on a part time basis.
May I enroll in the program in the Spring semester?
No, all students must enroll in the Fall semester.
Is there a deadline for applying to for the M.A.? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no firm deadline for applications to be received. However, please keep in mind that the Program is very competitive, all admissions decisions are usually made by March, and there is a limit to class size. It is in your interest to apply early, particularly if you are applying for financial aid from the program or other sources. Many scholarship agencies require an official letter of acceptance from your program. Also, if you require a visa, the application process can take up to six months.What do I need to do to apply to M.A. ?
To apply for admission, you will need to submit an application form, curriculum vitae/resume, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation (one professional, one academic, and the third professional or academic), official transcripts of your undergraduate and any graduate record, proof of English proficiency if English is not your native language, and a $60 application fee, unless you are from a developing country. Contact Admissions for an application package or download the application materials from this website. Detailed instructions on applying can be found on our admissions website.
Can the application fee be waived?
The application fee is waived for applicants from developing nations. There is no fee waiver form to fill out, but you must send in a paper application. The application fee cannot be waived for an online application.
When will I hear about my application status? Your application cannot be reviewed until all necessary documents are received. We will notify you by email only when your application is complete. All applications will generally be decided upon by mid- April, and applicants will be notified as decisions are made.Do I need to take the GRE?
No, applicants are not required to take the Graduate Record Examination.
Do I need to take an English language test?
Applicants who are not native English speakers must take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. While we do not have a minimum score requirement, we seek to assess your ability to undertake graduate work in English.
I have submitted my application but have not yet taken the TOEFL or IELTS. Will my application be considered?
If English is not your first language, we will not finalize the review of your application without a TOEFL or IELTS score or other English certification.
What is the Brandeis code for TOEFL?
3261
Is an on-campus interview required?
An interview, either in person or by telephone, is usually required for applicants living in the United States. For international students, a telephone interview will usually be required.
Am I required to have experience of working in conflict areas, or on conflict issues, before I apply? It is important that participants have at least two years experience of working either in conflict areas, or on conflict issues. This can include experience working on issues related to conflict such as aid and development, democracy and human rights, military and security issues, constitutional and legislative issues, diplomacy, civil and social movements.Am I required to have taken any specific undergraduate courses such as politics or history?
No, there are no prior course requirements. As the program is interdisciplinary, participants will be expected to bring varied backgrounds to the program, as well as a capacity to quickly grasp frameworks of learning from other disciplines.
What part of the application does the Admissions Committee consider most important?
While all aspects of your application are important, including your academic and professional background, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, your commitment and your ideas about your possible future utilization of the program, as indicated in your Statement of Purpose, and in your interview, will be central to your acceptance.
How can I receive more information about the program?
Our website is continually being updated with additional information, so it is useful to consult it on a regular basis. In addition, please do feel free to contact us at masterscoex@brandeis.edu with any queries about the program that are not answered on the web site.
If I visit, can I talk to a professor?
If you contact us before you come to Brandeis, we can try and arrange for you to meet with any relevant faculty who may be of assistance to you.
II. Program-Related Questions
Is it possible to be waived from prerequisite courses?
No. All core courses are obligatory.
Do you accept transfer credits from other institutions?
No, transfer credits are not accepted.
Is it possible to take courses in other Brandeis departments?
Yes. Please see the page on Electives for this possibility.
Do students find their own internships or are they placed in internship or fieldwork projects? Students work with the faculty to research and find a field project that meets their learning and career objectives.
Do students interact with students in other universities who are also studying coexistence issues?
Yes, students automatically become part of the Project on Negotiation based at Harvard University, which has a very active program designed to enable students from Harvard, Tufts, MIT, Brandeis, Simmons and UMass to come together to share their learning and to meet many of the most prominent people in the field of conflict resolution. In addition, students become the recipients of many invitations from other universities to attend events that many be of relevance or interest to them. Students can also take classes in many of the Boston/Cambridge universities.
III. The Brandeis Environment
Does Brandeis provide computers for student use? Yes, there are numerous computers on campus available for student use. Students in the Master's Program in Coexistence and Conflict have their own Resource Room in Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex (ASAC). Other computer facilities include the Goldfarb/Farber libraries and Shapiro Student Center.How far away are Boston and Cambridge?
Brandeis University is located approximately 10 miles from Boston and 6 miles from Cambridge. Cambridge and Boston are easily accessible by both the commuter rail and buses that stop at Brandeis.
Is graduate student housing available?
Although we cannot guarantee on-campus accommodation, some graduate student housing is available, primarily for international students. Graduate student housing cannot accommodate families.
IV. Enrollment and Financial Aid Questions
How much will graduate studies cost me for the first year and second year?
You can view the costs of study at http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/students/aid-handbook/costofattendance.html.
Does the Master's program award scholarships? A limited number of need-based partial tuition scholarships are available for the program. Scholarships provide tuition remission: they do not include travel and living expenses.Does the Master's program have information on outside funding sources?
Yes, please see the following link on our website for outside sources of funding. This is not an exhaustive list, but is meant to serve as a starting point for students to search for funding: http://www.brandeis.edu/programs/Slifka/masters/scholarships.html
Do I need to complete a financial aid form?
A limited amount of financial assistance may be available for tuition. Please fill in the following forms: International Students:
International Aid Application
Domestic Students:
FAFSA on the Web
How do I get information on loans?
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are eligible for some loans. Please go to: http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/prospectives/financial-assistance.html
What is the Title IV code for loans?
The code is 002133.
Can international students apply for financial aid?
International students are eligible for program funding consideration but cannot apply for U.S. government loans through FAFSA. There are limited loan sources available to international students who have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Do you have information about possible scholarship and grant sources?
For a list of Funding Opportunities go to: http://www.brandeis.edu/osp/funding.html For a list of grant and fellowship opportunities go to: http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/students/fundingopportunities.html. For a list of other outside funding, please go to: http://www.brandeis.edu/programs/Slifka/masters/scholarships.html
Are Teaching Assistantships available?
No.
It is past March and admissions decisions have already been made. Can I still apply to the Master's Program?
It is worthwhile to contact us about possible admission. However, for international students, late applications, even if accepted by the program, may be impossible because of visa requirements.
If I cannot find the funds to study this year, can I defer my admission to next year?
We will review your request to defer your admission for one year. Deferrals are usually granted, but please keep in mind that it will be up to you to reactivate your file in September, and remember that any tuition scholarship offer does not automatically carry over to the next year.
I want to pay my deposit. Who should I make the check out to? Can I pay by credit card? The check should be made out to Brandeis University. The university does not accept payments by credit card. For complete information and details please visit http://www.brandeis.edu/offices/sfs/.
V. Visa Questions
Do you have advice for me before I apply for my visa?
For information on applying for your visa, please visit the website of the International Students and Scholar's Office (ISSO).
Should I submit page 1 of the Visa Declaration Form if I do not have all my funding? No. Do not submit your Visa Declaration Form until it is complete (pages 1 and 2) but pleas DO notify the Admissions Office that you will be late in submitting the form and that you would like to request an extension of the deadline date stated in your admission form.
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