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Master of Arts in Spanish

Cleveland State University's Master of Arts in Spanish program provides advanced study in Hispanic language, literature, culture, and linguistics to individuals preparing for, or involved in, a career in teaching, or in other professional programs, such as law and international business. The program meets the needs of students seeking a terminal master's degree and those who are preparing to enter a Ph.D. program, as well as individuals studying for personal enrichment or professional advancement.

The program is organized to support both full-time and part-time students, and particularly those holding teaching positions. Courses are offered throughout the academic year and during the summer. Study abroad programs in the summer allow full-time immersion in a Hispanic culture and intensive language study. Students can specialize in Hispanic linguistics or Latin American and Iberian culture and literature.

The Master of Arts in Spanish program has the following unique features:

  1. A personalized program plan allows students to specialize in an area of interest and makes them aware of their course work as a coherent whole.
  2. The study abroad program allows students to relate to native speakers in their own environment and to apply learning in a practical manner.
  3. The option to include four hours outside of the Spanish area allows students to view their specialized training in a broader humanistic context. This reflects both national trends and the needs of students, especially those who are teachers and will continue in that career.
  4. The inclusion of oral proficiency standards relates to rising enrollments in foreign language study at all levels. In addition, reassessment by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and professional associations devoted to specific languages, as well as recent trends in the general field of foreign language education, have made this inclusion timely.

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Department of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures
Phone: 216.687.4645
wlc@csuohio.edu

Admission Requirements

  • Application Form
  • Application Fee
  • Undergraduate Transcripts
    • Minimum 2.75 Undergraduate GPA 
  • Speaking ability in Spanish equivalent to "intermediate high" level guidelines established by the ACTFL.
  • Personal Essay
    • The essay must outline the applicant's professional goals and how they relate to the program. The essay is considered both an example of the applicant's writing ability and an expression of the applicant's professional goals.
  • Spanish Sample Writing
    • Preferably a research paper or essay.

-International students are required to have met at least one of the following English language proficiency requirements for the University:

  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based): 78 (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking)
  • TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based): 550
  • IELTS: 6.0 and at least 5.0 in each section
  • PTE (Pearson’s Test of English): 50
  • iTEP: 5.0

Admission Deadlines

All applications must be submitted and complete on the following application deadline dates:

  • Domestic Students
    • Rolling
  • International Students
    • Fall Semester – May 15th
    • Spring Semester – October 15h
    • Summer Semester – March 15th

Program Requirements

  • SPN 501 - Research Methods
  • SPN 534 - Studies in Language and Linguistics
  • SPN 545 - Studies In Spanish Civilization or SPN 583 - Studies In Spanish Literature 
  • SPN 546 - Studies In Spanish-American Civilization or SPN 584 - Studies In Spanish-American Literature 

A field of concentration of at least twelve credit hours constituting a coherent and focused program of study developed by the student in consultation with an advisor. Distribution courses may be applied to the field of concentration as appropriate. All 500-level courses, with the exception of 501, can be repeated with a change of topic.

Latin American Studies

  • SPN 546 - Studies In Spanish-American Civilization
  • SPN 584 - Studies In Spanish-American Literature

Linguistics

  • SPN 534 - Studies in Language and Linguistics

Iberian Studies

  • SPN 545 - Studies In Spanish Civilization
  • SPN 583 - Studies In Spanish Literature
  • SPN 564 - Studies in Culture and Civilization
  • SPN 593 - Special Topics in Spanish

A maximum of four hours of graduate-level course work outside of the Spanish area may be applied toward the MA degree with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures. This is not an option when a student has chosen to transfer credit from another institution or when the student has chosen to write a thesis.

Did You Know?

There are over 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States. 

United States Census Bureau

 

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Career Outcomes

  • Graduates of the Master of Arts in Spanish program typically go on to be teachers in local secondary schools, teach at the community-college level, or enter Ph.D. programs in Spanish.
  • Other careers are diverse, including government service, international business or positions in libraries, media, and management fields.
  • These are some of the local companies hiring CSU grads: Cleveland Clinic, Cuyahoga Community College, Warrensville Heights School District, Woodforest National Bank, City of Cleveland, and MVM.