Spanish M.A.
Description of the Program:
The Spanish M.A. program consists of 30 semester hours of graduate-level work. A maximum of six credits of graduate course work may be transferred into the program from other institutions, subject to the approval of the departmental graduate committee.
General Information:
The Department of Modern Languages offers a variety of opportunities for advanced study. The graduate programs in Hispanic Literature are intended to prepare students to become first-rate scholars and teachers. The Master of Arts in Spanish focuses on Peninsular literature and Spanish American literature, including the literature written by Hispanics in the United States.
Upon entering the program, students will be assigned an academic advisor. All M.A. students must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations at the end of their course work.
To access the Graduate Student Handbook, please click here.
Core Courses (18 credits)
- SPW 5806 Methods of literary research (3 Credits)
- FOL 5800 Foreign Language Teaching Methodology (3 Credits)
- One course in either Medieval Spanish literature or literature of the Golden Age (3 Credits)
- One course in peninsular Spanish literature of the 19th or the 20th centuries (3 Credits)
- Two courses in Spanish American literature (colonial or 20th-century) (6 Credits)
(Part I) Required Coursework (6 Credits)
Spanish or Spanish American literature, Linguistics, or Spanish/Spanish American Culture (6 Credits) - Complete at least two of the following courses:
- FOL5800 - Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
- LIN5636 - Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
- SPW5806 - Methods of Literary Research
- SPW6825 - Literary Theory and Criticism
(Part II) 12 additional credits
Two Courses in Peninsular Literature (6 credits): Covering topics from Medieval Spanish Literature through the 21st century.
Two Courses in Spanish American Literature (6 credits): Covering topics from Medieval Spanish Literature through the 21st century.
Electives (6 credits)
A student must take at least six (6) graduate credits of electives in:
- Spanish or Spanish American Literature, Linguistics, Translation/Interpretation, or Culture (focused on Spain, Latin America, or Hispanics in the United States)
Graduation Requirements
To receive the MA in Spanish degree, a student must complete all the course work with a 3.0 GPA or higher and receive a minimum grade of "B" in every course. Upon completion of 24 graduate credits (core and elective courses), students will have the option of writing a thesis (equivalent to six credits) or taking two elective courses and writing a research paper. The thesis will be presented to an ad hoc committee chosen by the student and his or her advisor. The research paper must be submitted to a committee of two professors of the department. Upon completion of 30 credits, the student will be required to take Comprehensive Examinations based on completed course work and the department’s Graduate Reading List. Students must pass the exams with a minimum grade of "B"; exams may be taken no more than twice.
Exit Option (6 Credits)
- Students must either complete a thesis or complete 2 elective courses and write a research paper. (6 Credits)
Independent Studies
Students who want to conduct research in a very specialized field with a particular faculty member will be allowed to register for a 3-credit independent study course. No more than one such independent study will be allowed for the whole period of graduate studies. Under no circumstances will a student be authorized to take a regularly-taught course as an independent study. Independent studies are envisioned as an opportunity for students to carry out specialized research, not as a substitute for regular courses.
Students are encouraged to take courses in methods of language teaching.
Spanish M.A. - Spanish Language Teaching & Applied Linguistics
Description of the Program:
The Spanish Language Teaching & Applied Linguistics M.A. program consists of 30 semester hours of graduate level work. This progam is designed for professionals who wish to deepen their expertise in language teaching and applied linguistics.
Core Courses (6 Credits) Complete at least two of the following courses:
- FOL5800 - Foreign Language Teaching Methodology
- LIN5636 - Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
- SPW5806 - Methods of Literary Research
- SPW6825 - Literary Theory and Criticism
Required Coursework (18 Credits): Complete six (6) courses in LIN, FOL, TSL, SPN, at the graduate level
- Graduate Spanish Courses in Linguistics or Spanish Language Pedagogy. Courses must be taught in Spanish. (9 Credits)
- Graduate Spanish courses in Literature, Spanish Culture, and/or Spanish Film courses. Course must be taught in Spanish. (6 Credits)
- Graduate English course in Linguistics or Literature. (3 Credits)
Electives (6 Credits):
Up to 6 credits of electives. Elective courses can be taken in Modern Languages and/or any School or Department at FIU. Electives from outside MOL must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
Graduation Requirements
To receive the MA in Spanish with a Spanish Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics Major, a student must complete all the course work with a 3.0 GPA or higher and receive a minimum grade of ‘B’ in every course. Upon completion of 30 graduate credits, students in the Spanish language teaching and applied linguistics major will prepare a final qualifying project (Exit Option), such as an online teaching portfolio in Spanish, to be assessed; an original research paper intended for publication; or similar; to be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
For more information, please contact our Graduate Program Director, Dr. Andrea Fanta afanta@fiu.edu.