The following is intended as a general description; individual preceptorial tutors may provide further guidelines. Essays are expected to be of substantial length (usually 3000 to 4000 words; 12 to 16 pages) and to show evidence of serious thought and inquiry. They should be based primarily on preceptorial readings; although, with the tutor’s approval, they may refer to other program books. The essays are not research papers; instead, they should be articulate presentations of organized thought about a question originating in the issues, arguments, and conclusions presented in the texts studied. They usually include the student’s attempt to reflect upon and to explain the author’s meaning and its implications. They may go beyond that to offer additional support for the author’s position or to offer reasoned criticism and alternatives to the viewpoint of the author. This is not to suggest that the essay must present a “thesis” or argue a “position.” It may be an essay in the rigorous sense of the term: an attempt to investigate a particular problem or issue in a manner that provides the reader with a clearer sense both of the questions involved and of their significance, rather than an articulation of solutions. Students should feel free to consult with their tutor about the progress of their papers. Since four preceptorial essays replace the conventional master’s thesis, they are course requirements that cannot be waived. The work of the preceptorial course cannot be judged complete without the preceptorial essay. This means that if the paper is not submitted, the only possible grade for the preceptorial is an Incomplete, which automatically becomes an F if the paper is not submitted by the end of the next semester. A tutor may refuse to accept a late paper. Permission must be obtained for an extension. Tutors should return papers with written comments and/or schedule a paper conference. Deadlines for submission of preceptorial essays are published in the Graduate Institute calendar each semester.
The Introduction to Ancient Greek language preceptorial is usually offered during the fall semester as one of the preceptorial topics. Every effort is made to accommodate each student who desires to take it. A follow-up preceptorial, often on a work in Ancient Greek, is typically offered in the spring semester to students who were enrolled in the fall portion of the Introduction to Ancient Greek language preceptorial or who have had other instruction in Greek. A “genuine” preceptorial paper focusing on translation is not required in the fall semester of the Introduction to Ancient Greek course because students are still acquiring the language skills. Because a preceptorial paper is only possible in the spring semester of this course, the Introduction to Ancient Greek course is the only exception to the requirement that M.A.L.A. degree recipients write four separate preceptorial papers. In addition, unlike other preceptorials, which meet once each week, the Ancient Greek language preceptorial meets twice weekly.
Students who have completed at least two segments of the graduate program and who have demonstrated considerable facility both in writing and in-class conversation may petition for permission to write an optional Master’s Essay. A Master’s Essay may replace one preceptorial (in this case, opting to write this essay could delay graduation) or it may be undertaken in addition to the full graduate program degree requirements. In both cases, tuition is equal to that of one graduate course. Students who wish to submit a proposal in their third or fourth semester should consult with the Associate Dean early in their second semester. Students wishing to write the essay in addition to the degree must begin within two years of graduation and complete the essay within two years of the semester when the writing started. The student is responsible for finding a tutor to serve as an advisor during the writing of the Master’s Essay.
Many of the readings of the History segment presuppose familiarity with the works of authors read in the other segments. Thus, only students who have successfully completed at least one other segment may enroll in the History segment. Students who intend to enroll in the History segment should check with the Graduate Institute website for scheduling information. Certificate students are not eligible to take the History segment.
Low-residency students are required to attend two on-campus weekends (the “residential” portion) at some point throughout their studies for a mix of social and academic activities. Although only two are required, students are welcome and encouraged to attend as many weekends as they’d like. The residential requirement can also be satisfied by enrolling in one or more semesters of in-person classes on campus.
Students in the Low-Residency program attend their classes online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Low-Residency students are expected to have a reliable audio/video connection, thus they are required to have access to a smooth and stable internet connection as well as a computer or tablet with a camera. Some classes or tutors may also require access to Ziteboard, a free collaborative white-board website.
The St. John’s College Graduate Institute will accept nine credits awarded by the University of Maryland Carey School of Law for satisfactory completion of the J.D. degree toward the MALA degree, provided that grades of B- or higher were earned at the School of Law. Specific courses to be considered for transfer include Constitutional Law II, Criminal Law, and Property Law. In all cases, any classes taken at the School of Law that are intended to apply to the MALA degree must be approved by the SJC Associate Dean of Graduate Programs prior to the student’s enrollment in those School of Law courses. This approval process formalizes the student’s participation in the JD-MALA Dual-Degree Program from the perspective of the SJC Graduate Institute.
The University of Maryland Carey School of Law will accept nine credits awarded by the SJC Graduate Institute for satisfactory completion of the Politics and Society segment toward the School of Law’s J.D. degree, provided that the student has not yet completed those specific SJC graduate courses, and provided that the SJC Politics and Society segment credits were earned after the start of enrollment at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. Specific preceptorial topics to be submitted for approval in conjunction with the Politics and Society segment include courses in the areas of History, Politics and Society, and Philosophy and Theology. In all cases, any classes taken at SJC that are intended to apply to the law degree must be approved by the Office of Registration and Enrollment at the School of Law prior to the student’s enrollment in those SJC courses. This approval process formalizes the student’s participation in the JD-MALA Dual-Degree Program from the perspective of the School of Law.
The Graduate Institute in Santa Fe administers a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics degree program based on classical texts of the Eastern tradition. Information and an application for admission are available from the Graduate Admissions Office in Santa Fe and on the college’s website.
