Masters Degrees in Spanish Literature & Language, USA

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a thriving center of intellectual excellence that encompasses 14 academic departments and 80 degree programs. Its more than 2,500 students are engaged in a wide variety of challenging courses and hands-on learning experiences that extend across all areas of the humanities and sciences – from the great philosophers and classic literature to the world economy and environmental sustainability.

At the core of each department are faculty members who have garnered national acclaim for their best-selling books, ground-breaking research and creative endeavors. Together, students and their professors explore globally significant subjects and work towards the goal of improving every aspect of the way in which human beings live. To learn more about a specific area of study, click on the left-hand navigation bar for a full listing of academic departments.

Foreign Languages

In today’s job market there is an ever-growing need for people who speak more than one language. The mastery of a foreign language is like taking a journey in which your destination is not merely a place but a different way of looking at the world. The study of a foreign language develops communication skills, heightens cultural awareness, improves career opportunities, and encourages precision in thought and expression.

The Department of Foreign Languages offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in some of the world’s most widely spoken languages: French, Italian, and Spanish. The Department also offers the Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Languages, where you can focus on three languages of your choice (French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish). In conjunction with LIU Post’s College of Education, Information and Technology, the Department offers excellent preparation for careers as French, Italian, and Spanish teachers.

M.A. in Spanish

Spanish is the world's third-largest language, spoken by nearly 500 million people, more than 40 million in the United States alone. Its importance in culture and commerce is immense, as are the political, artistic and commercial impacts of Spanish-speaking countries and communities. According to the Modern Language Association's 2009 survey, enrollment in foreign languages degree programs in the United States continues to increase, with Spanish attracting the largest number of students.

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish is a comprehensive study of the linguistics, syntax and literature of Spain and Spanish America. Graduates of this 36-credit program will be fully prepared for further study of Spanish at the doctoral level. In addition, given that in today’s job market there is an ever-growing need for people who speak more than one language, our graduates find positions in a variety of careers including international business; translation and interpretation; government, including the FBI and CIA; publishing; the media; and health and medicine. The services of translators and interpreters are important to courts, financial markets and the stock exchanges.

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The Romance Languages and Literatures Department provides instruction in Spanish language and literature leading to the master of arts degree. Students have the option of pursuing a track of study culminating in a master's thesis or may pursue a track of study whereby one course may be selected in substitution of the thesis.

The program at Binghamton University allows students to work closely with the accomplished members of our faculty throughout their academic careers, and also affords students the opportunity to participate in a joint MA/PhD program offered in collaboration with the Comparative Literature Department. The flexible programs and options for work done outside the department make Binghamton University a unique educational institution.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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West Chester and Millersville Universities launched a new combined graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in Languages and Cultures in Spanish, in Fall 2014. This single degree program is presented by both language departments in collaboration and coordination to facilitate the prompt and successful completion of the students’ coursework, as meaningfully and efficiently as possible. The 11 courses of the 33 semester credit degree program may be completed in from 2-5 years.

The program contains three required core seminars totaling 9 credits to be taken by all students enrolled for the 33 credit degree program: LNC 501 on linguistics, LNC 502 on interpretive strategies, and LNC 503 on cultural studies. These seminars will all be offered each academic calendar year, shared by both schools, and will be taught in English, to allow students in all program languages to study and work together.

Additionally there is a general curriculum of 12 semester hours in Spanish, which includes courses in communicative proficiencies and cultural competencies.

Courses may be offered in all six academic sessions of each calendar year, including both semesters, the three summer sessions, and the winter session.

To complete the master’s degree experience, students choose 12 semester credit hours from elective options, in accord with their experience, needs, and future professional career plans. These may include courses in other fields such as nursing, marketing, criminal justice, etc., study abroad, an internship, or courses in pedagogy, or selected courses from the PA K-12 Graduate Certification in Spanish curriculum. The elective courses may also include all 12 credits in Spanish or a second program language (either French or German) at the graduate level.

Exit requirements for all students are uniform, an exit capstone project of a specialized written and oral exam, or a research project, or a portfolio of three projects, defended at an oral exam with the faculty.

Internships

The Department of Languages and Cultures offers a three, six, nine or twelve credit-hour internship to junior or senior majors and minors in languages or linguistics and to graduate students in French, German and Spanish who wish to enhance their study of a world language in communication, culture, and linguistics with an educational experience directly in the workplace, either in the United States or abroad.

Interns are expected to engage in written and oral experience in the studied language on a regular basis. Internships help students test and develop their skills of expression and communication in the world language or in English, if the internship involves the Teaching of English as a Second Language or English linguistics. Internships may be salaried, but unpaid or volunteer positions also qualify.

Students who seek to pursue this type of elective credit-bearing on-the-job experience by teaching a world language, Teaching English as a Second Language or by working for a company that conducts business in one of our languages or in areas related to English linguistics should contact their advisor to review information regarding job search, company contacts, contractual procedures and semester credit evaluation and approval. Graduate level LAN 525 internships may be arranged as the elective component of the Master of Arts in Languages and Cultures, for up to 12 credits.

Please see the website for more information:

https://wcupa.edu/arts-humanities/languagesCultures/gradLAN525.aspx

Careers

Our program graduates pursue many careers using Spanish, including teaching at all levels, further graduate study, law, international relations, marketing, banking, travel, and services in a wide variety of regional and national companies. The high-quality professional training and multicultural perspectives you will acquire will enrich your personal future as well.

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