MA Program

Contact grad@rcs.msu.edu if you have any questions.

Graduate Student Forms

M.A. Degree in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language

Requirements for Completion

The M.A. program in Spanish as a Second or Bilingual Language (formerly known as Applied Spanish Linguistics), is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in Spanish linguistics, with a focus on the psycholinguistic aspects of second language acquisition and the sociolinguistics of language contact. The program intends to meet the needs and goals of students who seek academic preparation to pursue advanced work in these fields.

The program is available under Plan A (Master’s Thesis Research) and Plan B (written examinations, without a thesis). Requirements for completion are as follows:

1. At least 30 credits must be completed at the 800 level under either Plan A or Plan B.
2. This number (30 credits) includes 6 credits of SPN 899 Master’s Thesis Research if the student follows Plan A.
3. For Plan B: the student completes 30 credits of coursework and takes a written examination based on coursework and the program reading list.

Plan A – M.A. Thesis:

The thesis must be organized and prepared according to the regulations prescribed in the Michigan State University Formatting Guide for Submission of Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertations.

Plan B – M.A. Exam:

The qualifying exam in linguistics will be given in the spring semester. Students are eligible to take the M.A. exam once they have completed the required 30 credits. Information about the nature and format of the exam will be distributed at least one month prior to the date of the exam.

See Spanish Graduate Student Handbook, section “M.A. in SSBL” for detailed information on coursework, Plans A and B, time limits.

M.A. Degree in Hispanic Literatures

The M.A. program in Hispanic Literatures is designed primarily for students who plan to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree, and to join the faculties of colleges or universities as scholars and teachers. The program prepares students in the language, literatures, and cultures of the Hispanic world, with an emphasis on literary, linguistic and cultural studies and scholarly investigation.

The program is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (written examination without thesis). A minimum of 30 credit hours of course work is required for the degree. The Graduate Advisor must approve the student’s program of study. The student must meet these requirements specified below within 5 years:

1. Complete 21 credits at the 800 level on seven fields of Spanish and Latin American Literatures.
2. Complete ROM 803 (Current Approaches to Foreign Language Instruction, 3 credits) if the student has a teaching assistantship in Spanish.
3. One of the following:     
   
   • Plan A (Thesis): 6 credits of SPN 899 Master’s Thesis Research, preparation of a thesis, and oral defense.
   • Plan B: Written examination based on coursework and department reading list. In this case, the student must take additional credits to complete a total of 30 credits for completion of the program. 
   • MA minimum reading list (for exams under Plan B) can be found here:

See Spanish Graduate Student Handbook, section “M.A. in Hispanic Literatures” for detailed information on coursework, Plans A and B, time limits. 

Ph.D. Admission Procedures for internal candidates of our M.A. Program in Hispanic Literatures: Current M.A. in Hispanic Literatures students who wish to be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program will present an internal application by December 15 (i.e. prior to taking the M.A. exam) in order to receive full consideration for a graduate assistantship. The Department will accept applications after the deadline; however, applications submitted after the December deadline are not guaranteed to receive full consideration for financial support.

See Spanish Graduate Student Handbook, section “M.A. in Hispanic Literatures” for detailed information on this admission process.