Spanish - MA

Degree Title and Name: Master of Arts in Spanish

Program Name and Number: Spanish – MA5229

Department/Unit: Modern Languages

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry: Fall

Program Overview: The Master of Arts program in Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages offers students a rigorous program wherein they learn to analyze literature, become informed observers of linguistic usage, and acquire advanced language and cultural skills. This is a full-time program. Normative time to completion is four semesters (two academic years).

Program Learning Outcomes:

Successful graduates of our Master of Arts program will be able to:

demonstrate deep knowledge of the target language and culture
compare and contrast world cultures
identify and describe major literary movements
explain how an individual literary work reflects the literary movement in which it was created
analyze literary and other cultural products creatively through appropriate theoretical and historical lenses
analyze linguistic phenomena in terms of syntax, dialectology, phonology, and historical linguistics
design and carry out an original research project, write up results using conventions appropriate to the discipline
present research results to an audience of professors and peers
implement teaching strategies in line with current language acquisition theories

Opportunities for Graduates: Approximately 25% of M.A. graduates go on to Ph.D. programs, 25% accept teaching positions in high schools or colleges/universities, 25% go abroad to teach or work, often via nationally competitive awards such as Fulbright, and the remaining 25% pursue a variety of other endeavors.

Link to Program: http://modlang.ohio.edu/graduate/graduate-spanish/

Link to Program Handbook: http://modlang.ohio.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Graduate-Handbook-2018-2020-BP-8.6.18.pdf

Graduation Requirements:

The M.A. in Spanish requires at least 50 semester hours (twelve 4-hour classes + two 1-hour classes).

3 Peninsular content courses (4 CH each)
3 Latin American content courses (4 CH each)
3 Hispanic linguistics content courses (4 CH each)
1 seminar (counts as one of above required classes)
SPAN 5640 - Teaching Spanish: Theory and Practice (4 CH)
2 semesters of SPAN 6920 (1 CH per semester)
2 elective courses
Comprehensive written and oral examinations based on the M.A. Reading List, which is available online in the Spanish Graduate Handbook.

Peninsular Spanish content courses

SPAN 5348 Spanish Civilization and Culture
SPAN 5530 Literature of Golden Age Spain
SPAN 5551 Medieval Spanish Literature
SPAN 5558 Don Quijote de la Mancha
SPAN 5560 19th Century Spanish Literature
SPAN 5565 20th Century Spanish Literature
SPAN 5570 Contemporary Spanish Literature

Latin America content courses

SPAN 5349 Spanish American Civilization and Culture
SPAN 5513 Survey of Spanish American Literature I
SPAN 5514 Survey of Spanish American Literature II
SPAN 5517 Themes in Spanish American Prose
SPAN 5518 Contemporary Spanish American Literature

Hispanic linguistics courses

SPAN 5437 Applied Phonetics
SPAN 5438 Hispanic Dialectology and Sociolinguistics
SPAN 5439 Modern Spanish Usage
SPAN 5441 Stylistics
SPAN 5457 History of the Spanish Language
SPAN 5460 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics

Culminating Experience: Students take comprehensive written and oral examinations in April of the second year. These examinations are based on course work and the MA Reading List, which is available online in the Spanish Graduate Handbook. These exams assess student achievement of learning outcomes 1-6, listed above.

Admission Requirements: Admission requires a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or graduation from a foreign institution with a degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

The following application materials must all be submitted online prior to January 15th for priority consideration:

Online application form along with a nonrefundable application fee submitted to the Graduate College via the following link: http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply/. Information on fees, reference forms and graduate programs can also be found at this link.
Official transcripts and diplomas from post-secondary schools, sent to the Graduate College.
- Students can upload a copy of their transcript, marksheets, diploma and/or degree certificates with their on-line application, but they must also submit official copies by mail. An official transcript is one that arrives in an envelope that has been sealed by the issuing institution.
- If these documents are not in English, students will need a certified translation into English.
All non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores for either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL scores must be sent directly from ETS to Ohio University (code 1593). On the TOEFL, we require a minimum of 80 on the Internet based exam with all section scores at least a 17 and a speaking score of 24 to be considered for an assistantship. On the IELTS, we require a composite score of 6.0 with a speaking score of 7.0 and at least a 6.0 on all bands.
Three letters of recommendation (preferably from professors who can comment on students’ academic progress). A letter from an employer is also very valuable.
A written statement of purpose in both English and Spanish.
After initial review of applications, the graduate committee will schedule a telephone interview with the strongest candidates prior to making offers of admission.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.