Spanish, MA
Degree Awarded: MA Spanish
The Master of Arts program in Spanish includes tracks in literature and culture and in linguistics. While the former includes Spanish, Spanish American and Mexican American literature and culture, the latter includes sociolinguistics or second language acquisition and applied linguistics.
Degree Overview
The 30-hour program of study includes an option to choose between two tracks and a portfolio needed as a culminating experience. Prospective masters candidates should have a passion and interest in Spanish literary works and culture or in teaching Spanish in grades K-16, have demonstrated knowledge of the Spanish language and have a minimum of a 3.00 GPA.
Tracks
The program has two tracks:
- Literature and culture
- Linguistics track (sociolinguistics or second-language acquisition and applied linguistics)
Courses and Electives
The coursework for each student is individualized and based upon the student's previous training, research goals, and mentor and committee consensus. Students will take core courses, electives and seminars based on their interest in literature or linguistics. Our program requires students to participate in the development of their portfolio.
Curriculum
The School of International Letters and Cultures' master's program offers training in innovative, mentored research that is tailored to the unique needs of the student. Master's students will develop expertise in research methods and cross-cultural studies. The program also offers a breadth of courses in history, textual analysis, literary criticism and contemporary critical discourse.
I completed a Masters in Spanish Applied Linguistics and a Masters of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages concurrently. Through rigorous coursework, I learned more in my first year of the Master's program in Spanish about language learning that I had in my previous 16 years of education. Dr. Barbara Lafford was a key component to that success as her unparalleled knowledge, dedication, and passion for linguistics and teaching helped position me for a smooth transition from graduate student to language educator.
My advice to future students would be; come hungry, stay organized, work hard, and take care of your body and mind.
—Steven Flanagan
Degree Requirements
Curriculum Plan Options
- 30 credit hours and a portfolio
- 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SPA 597)
Required Core (3 credit hours)
SPA 540 History of the Spanish Language (3)
Other Required (6 credit hours)
SPA 542 Studies in the Spanish Southwest (3) or SPA 546 Heritage Language Pedagogy (3) or SPA 598 Topic: Bilingualism (3)
SPA 586 Chicano/Chicana Short Novel (3) or SPA 576 Contemporary Spanish American Short Story (3) or SPA 568 Cervantes (3)
Restricted Electives (18 or 21 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (0 or 3 credit hours)
portfolio (0)
SPA 597 Capstone (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students seeking a master's degree in Spanish should consult with the respective graduate representative. Students in the immersion program must complete the portfolio, and students in the online program must complete SPA 597 Capstone.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish or another related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- resume or curriculum vitae
- writing sample (in Spanish)
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Applicants should provide a personal statement that is no more than two pages, summarizing past educational experiences and goals in pursuing a graduate degree.
Applicants should provide an academic writing sample such as an academic term paper, critical paper or research paper written in Spanish of at least six pages in length that was prepared in an upper-division or graduate Spanish course. Applicants may update an older paper to better demonstrate a current level of proficiency, write a completely new paper, or enroll in a graduate-level course as a nondegree-seeking student in preparation for applying for this program.
Two letters of recommendation are also required from a previous instructor or professor, work supervisor or character reference (anyone who can speak to the applicant's academic skill, character, motivation and persistence).
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an
accelerated bachelor's and master's degree
with:
BA - Spanish
Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
Next Steps to attend ASU
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the historical evolution of Latin to Spanish language.
- Critically evaluate cultural productions from Spanish or, Spanish-American, or Mexican-American literature.
- Critically evaluate linguistic aspects of a specific area within the Spanish language.
Career Opportunities
Professionals with this degree can confidently move into further academic, business and international fields. Skills developed through this program are valued for teaching positions, including in museums and libraries; translation work; work in a larger sector such as governmental, diplomatic and international business; and for careers in publishing, media, nonprofits and international relations.
Career examples include:
- area, ethnic and cultural studies teachers and professors
- foreign language and literature teachers and professors
- historians
- interpreters and translators
- lawyers
- reporters and correspondents
- social and community service managers
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- silc@asu.edu
- 480/965-6281