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    Columbia Campus
   
 
  Mar 21, 2025
 
2009-2010 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
  
2009-2010 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Spanish, M.A.


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Admission Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Degree Requirements College of Arts and Sciences 

Admission

To be accepted into the M.A. and M.A.T. programs in Spanish, candidates must hold a B.A. degree in Spanish from an accredited college or university. Graduates of foreign university programs where Spanish is the official language may be able, with permission of the graduate director, to substitute this experience for a Spanish major. A minimum overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale indicates candidates possess the capability to pursue graduate studies in Hispanic languages, literatures, and cultures. This is demonstrated by means of official college or university transcripts to be forwarded to this University. Also, three letters of recommendation from previous Spanish instructors are required for inclusion in the candidate’s application.

In order to pursue the Master of Arts in Spanish, the candidate should have minimum GRE scores of 480 on the verbal section and 4 on the analytical section (or scores of 400 and 3.5, respectively, for non-native English speakers). Students submitting GRE scores from before October 1, 2002, should normally have obtained minimum GRE scores of 480 on the verbal section and 500 on the analytical section (400 and 400, respectively, for non-native English speakers). A minimum score of 40 on the Miller Analogies Test may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores for the M.A.T. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 75 (iBT), 230 (computer-based) or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.

The department reserves the right to require all candidates for the M.A. and M.A.T. degrees to take a special examination on any undergraduate courses when this appears to be advisable according to the results of a mandatory written/diagnostic exam in Spanish that is administered during the first week of classes in the fall and spring semesters. This diagnostic exam includes an interview with a member of the department’s graduate faculty.

If a prospective student is seeking a departmental assistantship, a statement of purpose and a taped recording of the person’s voice reading a Spanish-language text (or English-language text for international students), in addition to the standard application materials, must be received by March 1 for consideration for a fall assistantship. The department does not normally permit students to begin assistantships in the spring semester.

No more than 12 semester hours of approved graduate credit, with grades of B or higher, may be accepted as transfer credit.


Degree Requirements


The following requirements are specific to the degree programs in Spanish.

Spanish, M.A. Thesis option


To receive the M.A. in Spanish (thesis option), a student must:

1. Complete 33 hours of graduate work in Spanish (of these, at least 18 hours must be taken at the 700 level or above excluding SPAN 776)


Note:


(With permission of the graduate director, one graduate course in another foreign language, linguistics, comparative literature, or women’s studies may be taken as a cognate.)

2. Demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language by passing the exam administered in the foreign language 315 courses.


3. Demonstrate both oral and written control of Spanish at the advanced level.


4. Successfully complete a comprehensive examination.


5. Present and successfuly defend an M.A. thesis.


Spanish, M.A. Non-thesis option


To receive the M.A. in Spanish (non-thesis option), a student must:

1. Complete 33 hours of graduate work in Spanish (of these, at least 18 hours must be taken at the 700 level or above excluding SPAN 776)


2. Demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language by passing the exam administered in the foreign language 315 courses.


3. Demonstrate both oral and written control of Spanish at the advanced level.


4. Successfully complete a comprehensive examination.


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