Spanish - M.A.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Spanish program provides advanced language skills, cultural knowledge, and research experience. Students can choose from two concentrations: Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy, preparing for teaching Spanish in various settings, or Languages, Literature and Culture, deepening their knowledge of literature and culture. The program includes immersion opportunities, research training, and culminates in a final project or thesis, equipping graduates for careers in teaching, translation, and other Spanish-related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in Spanish provides students with advanced language skills and cultural knowledge. With a focus on research and immersion, this program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities. The program integrates the language, linguistics, literature and culture of Spain and Latin America and the latest methodologies in the teaching of Spanish. The Spanish major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration is intended primarily for (1) licensed, in-service pre-K-12 Spanish teachers who wish to continue their professional development, advancing their knowledge of the Spanish language, literature and culture and language-teaching practices, and (2) students interested in teaching Spanish in college and university settings.
• The Languages, Literature and Culture concentration is intended for those who wish to increase their knowledge of literature and culture along with their command of the language for various purposes.

Outline:

Major Requirements:

• SPAN 58216 CONTEMPORARY HISPANIC CULTURE (3 credit hours)
• SPAN 68215 ADVANCED SPANISH COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION (3 credit hours)
• Literary Theory Electives (3 credit hours):
• MCLS 60330 APPROACHES TO LITERATURE AND CULTURE
• MCLS 60622 TEACHING LITERATURE AND CULTURE
• SPAN 68240 LITERARY AND CULTURAL TRANSLATION
• Research Method Electives (3 credit hours):
• MCLS 63049 SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH METHODS
• TRST 60001 GRADUATE RESEARCH AND WRITING IN TRANSLATION STUDIES
• Applied Linguistics Electives (3 credit hours):
• MCLS 60601 LINGUISTICS FOR THE LANGUAGE PROFESSIONS
• SPAN 68010 & TRST 60010 THE PRACTICE OF SPANISH TRANSLATION AND THEORY OF TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING
• Spanish (SPAN) Electives (50000 or 60000 level) (6 credit hours)
• Concentrations (12 credit hours)

Concentrations:

• Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy:
• MCLS 50660 METHODS OF TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES (13 credit hours)
• MCLS 60661 THEORIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (3 credit hours)
• Second Language Pedagogy Electives (6 credit hours)
• Languages, Literature and Culture:
• Spanish (SPAN) Electives (50000 or 60000) (6 credit hours)
• Concentration Electives (6 credit hours):
• Modern and Classical Language Studies (MCLS) (60000 level)
• Spanish (SPAN) (50000 or 60000 level)
• Translation Studies (TRST) (60000 level)

Graduation Requirements:

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• All students in the Spanish M.A.
are required to complete the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview, ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the Spanish. Outcomes Assessment Test, prior to being cleared for graduation.
• Students in the Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration must successfully complete a final project, a portfolio or a comprehensive examination.
• Students in the Language, Literature and Culture concentration must successfully complete one of the following: (1) comprehensive examination; (2) concentration exam and thesis; or (3) final research project.
• Students who anticipate enrolling in a doctorate elsewhere after completing the M.A.
degree are urged to write a thesis.
• Students who write a thesis must successfully pass a comprehensive examination.
• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Assessment:

• ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview Test
• ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test
• Spanish.
• Outcomes Assessment Test
• Final project, portfolio or comprehensive examination (for Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration)

Careers:

• Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
• Interpreters and translators
• Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Other:

• Students are encouraged to enroll in study abroad programs (maximum 6 credit hours) and in specialized workshops in advanced language or pedagogy (maximum 4 credit hours).
Departmental permission must be obtained before enrolling in such programs.
• A maximum 6 credit hours of individual investigation research may be applied toward the degree.
• Students interested in a thesis option may register for a maximum of 6 credit hours of SPAN 68199.
• Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of their M.A.
program at the 60000 level. Electives should be chosen accordingly in consultation with the student's academic advisor.