Learning Outcomes

Admission

To be accepted into the M.A. and M.A.T. programs in Spanish, candidates must hold a B.A. degree in Spanish from an accredited college or university. Graduates of foreign university programs where Spanish is the official language may be able, with permission of the graduate director, to substitute this experience for a Spanish major. A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale indicates candidates possess the capability to pursue graduate studies in Hispanic languages, literatures, and cultures. This is demonstrated by means of official college or university transcripts to be forwarded to this University. Also, three letters of recommendation from previous Spanish instructors are required for inclusion in the candidate’s application.

In order to pursue the Master of Arts in Spanish, the candidate should have minimum GRE scores of 500/153 on the verbal section and 4 on the analytical section (or scores of 400/146 and 3.5, respectively, for non-native English speakers). A minimum score of 396 on the Miller Analogies Test may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores for the M.A.T. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 80 (iBT), 230 (computer-based) or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.

Three letters of recommendation from previous Spanish instructors are required for inclusion in the candidate’s application. Applicants are asked to submit a writing sample of 2500 words, written in Spanish (in English for those students whose native language is Spanish), and 300 word maximum statement of purpose. In order to test Spanish speaking skills, a five-minute sample of spoken Spanish is also required of non-native speakers. The file should be saved as an MP3 file on a CD. For those who native language is Spanish, a sample of spoken English is required submitted in the same format.

In order to pursue the Master of Arts in Spanish, candidates may be required to make up any such deficiencies demonstrated on a diagnostic examination. The background required in any foreign language is that normally completed by an undergraduate major in the field concerned. The Department reserves the right to require its candidates for the degree of Master of Arts to take special examination on any undergraduate courses when advisable.

If a prospective student is seeking a departmental assistantship, all application materials as indicated above must be received by the Graduate School and the Dept. of Languages, Literatures and Cultures by January 15. Applications submitted to the Department after June 1 will not be processed for the Fall semester but for the following Spring.

Degree Requirements (33 Hours)

The following requirements are specific to the degree programs in Spanish.