M.A. Requirements
The M.A. programs are designed to help students acquire an understanding of the issues that constitute the areas of Spanish and Spanish-American Literatures, Hispanic Linguistics, or Lusophone Literatures. This objective is to be accomplished by reading and study leading to a comprehensive knowledge of the disciplines, both through the required sequence of 5XXX-level courses and through the student's individual research and preparation. While there is no reading list for the MA, students should expect to do substantial reading beyond the requirements of their courses in order to acquire a historical foundation in their fields, familiarity with the topics and problems of the disciplines, and the necessary critical and theoretical tools to communicate ideas.
The master's degree is awarded in recognition of academic accomplishment as demonstrated by a coherent program of course work, passing of the required examinations, and the preparation of a thesis or projects.
M.A. Program Language Requirements
M.A. Degree
For the master's degree, students must have a reading knowledge of at least one modern foreign language other than English, and Spanish or Portuguese.
Directed Readings
Students interested in developing a directed reading project must file a Directed Reading form with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. This form must be approved by the instructor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Directed Readings may be taken beyond the 44 credits required by the MA program, but they may not act as a substitute for program course work.
General Graduate School requirements for the MA degree
- An MA program must include at least 33 semester credits. A minimum of 27 credits must be in the form of course work (the Department's requirements entail at least 33).
- A maximum of 40% of the MA program may be in the form of transfer from graduate level study at other institutions or from U of M Extension and Adult Special courses, with the approval of the DGS. In the case of credits transferred from non-U.S. institutions, the credits must have been earned in a program judged by the Graduate School to be comparable to a graduate degree program in a graduate school of a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
- Each MA student must register in the Graduate School for at least 3 semesters before the degree will be awarded.
- The Plan A (thesis) option requires registration for a total of 12 master's thesis credits.
- Two thirds of the courses in the MA program must be taken for an A-F grade.
- A minimum GPA of 2.80 must be maintained for good standing in the Graduate School; the Department requires a minimum GPA of 3.0
Filing the MA Degree Program
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) advises all incoming graduate students. Students are urged to get to know all the faculty in the department and to select an adviser by the end of the first year.
The Graduate School requires each student to file an official Degree Program at least one quarter prior to the MA Oral Examination. The Department's policy is that the MA students should file the Degree Program in the Spring quarter of their first year. At this time the student designates an adviser and committee members, lists all course work to be taken before the MA exams, and lays out a plan of work for the Plan A thesis or Plan B research projects.
If a Student will receive an MA in another program at the University of Minnesota, s/he may have a maximum of 8 semester credits in common between two Plan A master's degrees or two Plan B master's degrees or between a Plan A and Plan B master's degree.
When the student is ready to file the Degree Program form, s/he should review the Graduate School Bulletin and Departmental Handbook for complete information on requirements, obtain the pertinent Graduate School forms (see below) and make an appointment with the adviser in order to finalize the list of courses for the program and select an examining committee.
Degree Program Transmittal Form with the Degree Program Course Work Form that includes the Degree Program Committe section
Do not fill in the bottom section of this form. The DGS will write in the committee names and sign the form after the student, adviser, and DGS have agreed on a committee.
The Degree Program Course Work Form lists all courses the student will take (or has taken) to fulfill the degree requirements along with any thesis credits. Students are advised to use a photocopy as a worksheet until the final course list has been developed with the adviser. Note that the Graduate School makes the final decision on approval of transfer courses. List those courses you wish to have approved, and the Graduate School will consult the official transcripts it has in your file. No more than 40% of the program can be in transfer credits.
This form also proposes a committee for Graduate School approval. Students are urged to contact potential committee members before submitting their names.
It is helpful to have copies of transcripts on hand when meeting with the adviser and the DGS to discuss the program. After meeting with the adviser to fill out these forms, the student makes an appointment with the DGS to review the program and ensure that all Departmental and Graduate School requirements have been met. The DGS's signature is required before the forms can be filed with the Graduate School. Once approved, the degree program must be fulfilled in every detail. Changes may be made by petition to the Graduate School.