For the MA program in Spanish, students choose one of two emphases: literature, which provides training in literary analysis and broad knowledge of representative works in principal areas of Spanish literature; or linguistics, which provides training in linguistic analysis and argumentation and broad knowledge of the principal subfields of Spanish linguistics.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate:

• basic understanding of primary source material in three of the following distribution fields—Spanish phonology, theory and analysis; Spanish syntax, theory and analysis; applied linguistics/pedagogy history of the Spanish language; language acquisition; sociolinguistics (linguistics) or medieval literature; Spanish Renaissance and Baroque literature; 18th and 19th centuries; 20th and 21st centuries; colonial Spanish American literature; Spanish American literature; 19th-century Spanish American literature; Spanish American Literature, 1900–1960; Spanish American literature, 1960 to the present; U.S. Latina/o/x literature; Brazilian literature; Portuguese literature; or Latin American film (literature);
• basic understanding of the methodology of their field;
• skill in textual analysis;
• sustained critical thinking, writing, and speaking abilities; and
• knowledge and skills necessary to be effective instructors for courses numbered 1000–1999.

The Master of Arts program in Spanish requires 30 s.h. of graduate credit. A maximum of 6 s.h. of graduate credit in approved courses may be transferred from other institutions toward the 30 s.h. required for the MA degree. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75.

The MA with a major in Spanish requires the following 10 courses. Students choose one of two emphasis areas: literature or linguistics.

Literature Emphasis Courses

Course List

Course #	Title	Hours
All of these:
WLLC:5000	Teaching and Learning Languages	3
One course in Spanish linguistics numbered 4000 or above		3
Two courses in Spanish (peninsular) literature numbered 4000 or above		6
Two courses in Spanish American literature numbered 4000 or above		6
One course in literary theory		3
Three electives		9

At least eight of the literature emphasis courses must be taken in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses numbered 5000 or above. The remaining two may be taken in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses numbered 4000 or above or in courses offered by related departments, subject to approval by the director of graduate studies.

Linguistics Emphasis Courses

Course List

Course #	Title	Hours
All of these:
WLLC:5000	Teaching and Learning Languages	3
One course in Spanish or Spanish American literature numbered 4000 or above		3
Two courses in syntax		6
Two courses in phonetics/phonology		6
One course in history of the Spanish language or sociolinguistics/language variation		3
One course in applied linguistics or language acquisition		3
Two electives		6

At least six of the linguistics emphasis courses must be taken in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses numbered 5000 or above. The remaining four may be taken in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses numbered 4000 or above or in Department of Linguistics courses (prefix LING).

Language Tool Requirement

Students must complete the equivalent of one year of college-level study of any approved second foreign language; Portuguese is highly recommended. They may satisfy this requirement either by examination or through courses taken at the University of Iowa or another accredited university; such coursework does not count toward the 30 s.h. required for the degree.

Examinations

The final examination includes written and oral components. The written portion consists of a two-hour examination in each of three areas; an oral examination follows, usually lasting 90 minutes. The examining committee is composed of four departmental faculty members.

Students in the literature emphasis may choose to be examined in three literature areas or in two literature areas and one linguistics area. At least one literature area must be in Spanish literature and at least one must be in Spanish American literature. If three literature areas are chosen, at least one must represent literature written before 1700 (peninsular or Spanish American).

Students in the linguistics emphasis may choose to be examined in three linguistics areas or in two linguistics areas and one literature area. At least one of the linguistics areas must be in syntax or phonology. For students in both emphases, the third examination area may be a film area.

For reading lists, contact the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

Graduate Study Loads

Maximum course registration for all graduate students is 15 s.h. of graduate-level coursework in fall or spring semesters and 12 s.h. of graduate-level work in summer sessions. Students with one-quarter-time and one-third-time teaching assistantships are permitted to register for the maximum study loads. Students who hold one-half-time assistantships are permitted to register for a maximum of 12 s.h. in fall and spring semesters and 6 s.h. in summer sessions. Students must have approval from the Graduate College to register for additional semester hours.

The minimum course registration is 1 s.h. for all graduate students. Students who fail to register for 36 months must apply for readmission to the Graduate College.

Applicants to the MA program should have completed the equivalent of the undergraduate Spanish major with a grade-point average of at least 3.00 in coursework for the major.

Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified graduate students. Usually, two years of support are available for completion of the MA degree. Applications for financial support should be made directly to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Spanish, MA

Literature Emphasis

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)

Academic Career
Any Semester		Hours
30 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; maximum of 6 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b, c
Students must complete the equivalent of one year of college-level study of any approved second foreign language; Portuguese is highly recommended. d
	Hours	0
First Year
Fall
WLLC:5000	Teaching and Learning Languages	3
Spanish Linguistics course (SPAN prefix, numbered 4000 or above)		3
Spanish (Peninsular) Literature course (SPAN prefix, numbered 4000 or above)		3
	Hours	9
Spring
Spanish (Peninsular) Literature course (SPAN prefix, numbered 4000 or above)		3
Spanish American Literature course (SPAN prefix, numbered 4000 or above)		3
Elective course		3
	Hours	9
Second Year
Fall
Spanish American Literature course (SPAN prefix, numbered 4000 or above)		3
Literary Theory course		3
Elective course		3
	Hours	9
Spring
Elective course		3
Final Exam e
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	30

a

Two of the ten courses required for the degree may be taken in courses offered by related departments, subject to approval by the director of graduate studies.

b

Work with faculty advisor to select appropriate graduate coursework.

c

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

d

This requirement can be satisfied either by examination or through courses taken at the University of Iowa or another accredited university; coursework does not count toward the 30 s.h. required for the degree.

e

Comprehensive final exam which includes both written and oral components; see General Catalog and department website for more information.