Master of Arts in Spanish

The Online Master of Arts in Spanish

The MA in Spanish is a fully online, 30-credit program of study that provides high school teachers of Spanish and other individuals seeking to reach an advanced level of proficiency the opportunity to attain the qualifications and language skill levels required to participate effectively in a variety of educational and professional settings. Students are encouraged to personalize their program of study by including nine credits of elective coursework in Spanish, Spanish for the Professions, or another approved area of study. Students may begin their studies year-round, applying for the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. 

The Spanish MA program at ISU is a year-round online program. Application deadlines for priority admission are as follows:

• September 15 for spring enrollment
• December 15 for summer semester enrollment
• March 15 for fall enrollment

Curriculum, Master of Arts in Spanish

The MA in Spanish is a two-year, full-time program but students may complete the MA on a part-time basis. Students can expect a rigorous and rewarding program of study centered on advanced mastery of the Spanish language, the development of a deeper understanding of Hispanic literature and cultures, and the opportunity to explore developments in language and second language pedagogy. There are two main components to the MA: 1) Coursework and 2) the M.A. Exams.

Total credits: 30

Required Courses: 15 required credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SPAN 5500	Spanish Advanced Grammar	3
SPAN 5501	Graduate Discourse	3
SPAN 5541	Survey of Peninsular Literature and Civilization	3
or SPAN 5542	Survey of Latin American Literature and Civilization
SPAN 5545	Critical Theory	3
SPAN 6690	Spanish Graduate Seminar	3

Suggested Electives:

Additional Requirements

• OPI: In order to graduate, students must achieve a minimal rating of Advanced-Low on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview. Students not achieving the required score must follow the remediation procedures outlined in the MA in Spanish Student Handbook. The OPI must be taken at least 2 weeks before sitting for the M.A. Exams or submitting your MA Portfolio.
• MA Exams -or- MA Portfolio: Students must either take MA Exams or submit an MA portfolio. Please see the MA in Spanish Student Handbook for detailed information regarding these two options. This requirement must be completed in the fall or spring. Please verify the dates set by the department with your advisor.

Admissions

1. Apply to the Graduate School at https://www.isu.edu/graduate/. Graduate School admissions requirements are here: Graduate Admissions Requirements. Create your account, pay the application fee, and start uploading the required information. For assistance call 208-282-2150 or email gradadmissions@isu.edu.
2. In addition, you will need the following:
   1. A 3-5 minute video Statement of Intent spoken in the Spanish language addressing a) your experience with the language, b) your goals, and c) how this program will help you reach those goals. This should not be a scripted response, but rather an example of your ability to speak extemporaneously in the Spanish language. Alternatively, the applicant may submit a recent OPI evaluation (conducted in the past 4 years) as evidence of their speaking ability.
   2. A Writing Sample in Spanish of at least 2.0 pages (approximately 1,000 words) that conforms to the traditional 5-paragraph essay structure. A university paper or professional report written in Spanish would be ideal. If you do not have such, then you should write a paper on a topic of your choice demonstrating command Spanish and using the aforementioned 5-paragraph structure to support a claim or thesis.
   3. Emails of two references (non-family members). One of these references must be able to speak to the applicant's academic qualifications and the applicant’s potential as a graduate student in an online program in Spanish (Desirable qualities include passion for Hispanic language and cultures, intelligence, work ethic, prioritization and time management skills, collegiality, professionalism, and resilience.) This recommender will be contacted to submit a letter of recommendation electronically. The other reference must be able to speak to the applicant's proficiency with the Spanish language and will be asked to complete an online form to this effect. 

Need Help?

• MA Program Director, Dr. Marin Laufenberg, at SpanishMA@isu.edu.
• Graduate School Admissions: 208-282-2150 or gradadmissions@isu.edu
• Department of Global Studies & Languages: 208-282- 3043 or glbstdy@isu.edu