M.A. and Ph.D. Programs

Prospective students apply to departmental programs rather than to CFS, and the departments also administer most financial support.

Most students wishing to do the equivalent of a full degree program in folklore work through the Department of Comparative Studies or the Department of English in the Division of Arts and Humanities. Each of these departments has requirements specific to it, but is accustomed to admitting and supporting self-identified folklorists and provides the opportunity to take a full range of folklore coursework and work with folklore faculty. Students should be aware that admission at both MA and PhD levels is highly competitive.

Students hoping to come to OSU to study folklore are very strongly advised to contact the CFS Director (cfs@osu.edu) and other Folklore faculty members to determine which program at OSU (or outside of it) offers the best match for their interests and professional goals. In general, students working on English-language topics, particularly verbal art, find a good fit in English; students working in other languages and on comparative or interdisciplinary issues are advised to look at Comparative Studies; students working on specific oral traditions should look at the relevant language departments, such as East Asian Languages and Literatures or Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures; students concentrating on music should consider the area of Musicology in the Music program; students with a strong interest in performance studies should consider Theatre, Film, and Media Arts in addition to English and Comparative Studies; and students working on art education and policy should look at the program in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy. Our students also work in education and the social sciences.

OSU departments normally support graduate students through teaching assistantships. Financial support is organized by the student's primary department: for details see the relevant departmental Web page. The Center supports two grad students a year as Center Assistants or Archivists (GRA), providing administrative and archival experience in addition to the teaching practice obtained in the students' home department(s).

International students are eligible for funding and warmly encouraged to apply; please note that a long lead time is required for a successful international application. For further information, consult the Graduate School page on steps to apply to OSU. In practice, we find it easiest to evaluate and easiest to admit international students when they come to us through the Fulbright program or with another external scholarship in hand for the first year of study. Please explore these possibilities beforehand.

Prospective students should contact the Center (cfs@osu.edu) to be referred to faculty who might align with their research interests in relation to our program and potential departmental fits.