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Masters of Arts Program

Applicants to the Spanish MA program must indicate an area of emphasis and are admitted into that particular field.  Prospective students are encouraged to consult with faculty about this important decision.  The areas of emphasis of the Spanish MA Program are as follows:

Spanish MA Program:

  • Spanish Linguistics (555462)
  • Pedagogy (555466)
  • Spanish American Literature (555468)
  • Peninsular Literature (555464)

Admission and Entry:

Prerequisites:

  • A bachelor's degree in Spanish, or equivalent
  • Reading knowledge of a second foreign language (for example, French 121/122, German 201).  A candidate may work on second foreign language while completing work for the MA).
  • Minimum (last 60 hours) GPA of 3.3
  • Minimum GPA of 3.5 in Spanish.

Application Requirements:

  • Apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies
  • Applicants should submit a previously written research paper in Spanish at least eight pages in length to the Office of Graduate Studies.  The paper should be formatted according to the desired specialty area and should reflect the student's best work.
  • Statement of intent should be submitted in Spanish or English
  • Non-native English speakers need to submit a TOEFL SCORE with the application.  Minimum score for the written exam is 580 and the minimum computer based score is 237.
  • The general GRE is required.  Further information about the GRE is available at www.gre.org
  • Application deadline for all materials is February 1st for Fall entry. (U.S. and International)   

Graduation Requirements:

  • 33 credit hours (27 coursework hours and 6 thesis hours)
  • Three semester (or equivalent) of a second foreign language other than English in addition to language of specialization
  • All students will take a comprehensive, culminating written exam in the specialty area covering materials on the reading list and all course work.  The specialty exam must be taken before the thesis may be defended and only after the student has defended his/her prospectus.  The specialty exam should be taken at the beginning of the fourth semester of study.  Students will also complete a thesis defense.
  • Program GPA of 3.0 is required for the graduate degree.  No D credit may apply.
  • Students must complete the section reading from the graduate reading list.  Pedagogy  Linguistics  Literature
  • Students must teach for at least one semester during the program

More specific information about our program can be found in our Department Graduate Handbook. General graduate information and procedures at the university level are found in the University Graduate Catalog.

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Brigham Young University offers a Summer-Only Program designed to assist public school teachers who are currently employed full-time, to complete the required course work over a four-year period. In addition to the course work, the required specialty exam and thesis must also be completed to fill the requirements for the degree. Preparation for the exam and work on the thesis can be accomplished during the regular school year. When necessary, additional time may be allowed beyond the four years for completion of the degree. (R. Alan Meredith, 13 May 1999)

Many of our current and former students begin their MA program as participants in the Summer Institute for Spanish Teachers. This institute, which is offered every third year, allows the practicing teacher to refresh their linguistic ability in Spanish, increase their understanding of the foreign culture, and research (12 semester credits of intense course work). This is accomplished through specialized courses begun on campus and completed in a Spanish-speaking environment. Past programs have included study abroad programs in Mexico and in Spain. Teachers may apply to attend the summer institute apart from the master's program. Those wishing to continue on with and complete the master's degree must meet the admission requirements of the department and graduate school. (R. Alan Meredith, 13 May 1999)

Graduate Association of Spanish and Portuguese

Upon admission to the program, all students become members of the Graduate Association of Spanish and Portuguese. The Association serves as a liaison between the graduate students and faculty members. It provides an organized approach to meeting individual and group needs and can be a useful vehicle for communication with the faculty and administration about program needs. The organizational framework of the Graduate Association of Spanish and Portuguese is as follows:

  • The co-chairs and secretary direct the affairs, activities and meetings of the association. They attend designated meetings with the faculty and inform them of student needs, perspectives and opinions relating to the graduate program. They are also responsible for both general and specific association objectives, and for seeing that activities are planned to meet them.
  • The secretary records the minutes of all meetings and keeps track of all decisions and changes in Association policy. The graduate coordinator of the department is the faculty advisor for the association.
  • In addition, the Association will work generally to:
    • Create a sense of professional community among Spanish and Portuguese MA students
    • Increase and improve student-faculty relations
    • Assist with information dissemination
    • Offer practical service in career and graduate school placement

Graduate Handbook

The present Graduate Handbook is revised yearly and is designed to answer many of the questions that students have about the graduate program in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.  This handbook is intended to be a supplemental guide to the Graduate Catalog published annually by the Office of Graduate Studies.