Concentrators are required to complete part of the reading of these courses in Russian. Russian is also an especially rewarding second concentration when combined with political science, history or another social-science discipline. All language courses beyond Russian 202 are taught by teachers with native proficiency. The survey classes typically combine lecture and discussion, literary history and practical analysis. Students receive extensive personal attention and counseling, and, in the new circumstances of post-Soviet Russia, are encouraged to spend at least one semester in Russia itself.
Counselors ensure that courses taken abroad fit into the concentration program appropriately.
Michigan Russianists are very competitive in applications to professional schools, and place very well in graduate programs. An honors program is available for especially gifted undergraduates. Some support for research trips and the like is available through the College Honors Program. Generally, students interested in graduate school complete Honors Russian, thereby gaining extra early experience of scholarly work. With support from the University, the Department's language instructors have participated in national certification proficiency testing workshops.