Master's Degree
The M.A. in Spanish is designed for students who hold a B.A. in Spanish or related area and who seek to broaden their knowledge of Hispanic literary and cultural traditions through advanced study. The M.A. is generally intended for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. at UCR. Therefore, prospective students are encouraged to apply directly to the Ph.D. program, regardless of whether they currently hold a B.A. or an M.A. As part of their preparation in Hispanic literary and cultural studies, students are introduced to advanced concepts of linguistics, literary theory and current debates in cultural studies.
Applicants for admission normally have a B.A. in Spanish that includes at least five courses in the languages, literatures and cultures of Spain and Latin America. Most students in the program are Teaching Assistants in the Department of Hispanic Studies; their normal workload includes language teaching and taking three graduate courses per quarter, which funds their full tuition. Teaching Assistants receive training in language instruction as part of their graduate study and teaching duties.
Candidates for the M.A. complete a minimum of 48 graduate units, with six classes in their main area of specialization (Cultural Studies or Linguistics) and four in their secondary area. (In addition to these ten courses, students may, with permission from the graduate advisor, take courses outside the Department to complete their requirements.)
Near the end of this two-year program (normally during the sixth quarter), students take a written examination (submitted electronically, due in 24 hrs.), followed by a one-hour oral examination administered one or two weeks after the written examination. This M.A. Examination (written and oral) is based on the texts on the M.A. reading list and course work. The M.A. reading list consists of approximately 75 major works of Spanish and Latin American literature, culture, and linguistics. Following successful completion of the M.A. exam, students must be recommended by the faculty to continue in the program at the Ph.D. level, based on their portfolio. Their portfolio includes a writing sample and a statement of purpose describing the intended doctoral research project.
Candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of another foreign language by one of three methods:
- Satisfactory completion of an upper-division literature course in the target language
- Satisfactory completion of a departmental foreign language exam.
- Certificate from a foreign language institute or an accredited university course