Graduate Degree

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language provides the foundation and academic preparation to pursue advanced work in Spanish linguistics and further develop fluency in the Spanish language. Students will actively engage with scholarly work in the area of Spanish second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, syntax, and historical linguistics through reading, writing, and discussion. Students gain a cultural understanding and behavior as they study language acquisition and social patterns of language use.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the Master of Arts degree in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language, an applicant must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree in Spanish or in Linguistics or a bachelor’s-equivalent degree in Spanish philology (international students) with course work in Spanish at the 400-level.
2. Completed Linguistics 401 or its equivalent. This may be completed during the first semester of the master’s program, if admitted. This course will not count towards the credit requirements for the degree.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for the degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate advisor. The student must complete the requirements specified below.
 

Requirements for Both Pan A and Plan B
1.			Complete 9 credits from the following foundational courses. At least one must focus on Spanish.
			LIN	424	Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology						3
			LIN	431	Introduction to Morphology						3
			LIN	434	Introduction to Syntax						3
			LIN	437	Semantics and Pragmatics						3
			LIN	824	Phonological Theory I						3
			LIN	834	Syntactic Theory I						3
			SPN	801	Spanish Syntax						3
2.			Complete 6 credits in Second Language Acquisition. At least one course must focus on Spanish.
			LLT	860	Second Language Acquisition						3
			LLT	863	Second Language Acquisition of Morphosyntax						3
			SPN	804	Spanish as a Second Language: Linguistic and Psycholinguistic Perspectives						3
			SPN	806	Topics in Hispanic Linguistics						3
			Students who enroll in SPN 806 must select a course section that  specifically deals with second language acquisition.
3.			Complete 6 credits in Sociolinguistics and Bilingualism. At least one course must focus on Spanish.
			LIN	471	Sociolinguistics						3
			LIN	871	Advanced Studies of Sociolinguistics						3
			SPN	803	Language Variation and Change in Spanish						3
			SPN	806	Topics in Hispanic Linguistics						3
			Students who enroll in SPN 806 must select a course section that specifically deals with sociolinguistics and bilingualism.
4.			Complete up to 9 credits of elective courses from the following:
			LLT	841	Topics in Second/Foreign Language Learning and Teaching						3
			ROM	803	Foundations of Contemporary Language Teaching						3
			SPN	805	Evolution of the Spanish Language						3
			SPN	890	Independent Study						1 to 3
			Students may also use courses from items 1., 2., and 3. above that were not used in fulfillment of those requirements. Students pursuing Plan A  may use the 6 credits of master’s thesis research to fulfill this elective requirement.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1.			Complete 6 credits of SPN 899 Master's Thesis Research.
2.			Pass a final oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1.			Pass a final certifying examination based on course work and the departmental reading list for the Master of Arts in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language.