Graduate Catalog | 2024-2025
Spanish, M.A.
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The Master of Arts in Spanish serves individuals who seek a greater understanding of Spanish language, literatures and cultures, and who seek career and professional advancement opportunities in education, translation, interpreting, applied language (Business Spanish), and who contemplate pursuing a Ph.D. in fields such as Hispanic literature, linguistics, translation and interpreting studies, intercultural communication, or international studies.
The M.A. in Spanish provides a rich variety of graduate coursework in a major world language that is becoming increasingly important in the United States. The program builds on a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum and consists of two concentrations:
- Language, Literature, and Culture (LLC)
- Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS)
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Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for the M.A. in Spanish:
- Degree - A baccalaureate degree in Spanish or in a related field that required upper-division coursework in undergraduate Spanish (e.g., Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business), with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Essay - A well-developed essay written in English that addresses the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in the M.A. in Spanish, to include particular areas of research interests and career or professional goals
- Writing Samples - Students must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in both languages (English and Spanish) by providing writing samples in each language. Students seeking enrollment in the LLC concentration must submit a college term paper or a substantive writing sample (minimum 1,000 words) in Spanish and a second paper written in English. Students seeking enrollment in the TIS concentration may submit translation samples (one from English into Spanish and a second one from Spanish into English) or a college term paper or a substantive writing sample (minimum 1,000 words) in Spanish and a second paper written in English.
- Interview - An oral interview with the Graduate Program Director
- Three Letters of Reference - For those interested in the LLC concentration, at least two of the letters must be from professors. For those interested in the TIS concentration, at least one of the letters must come from a professor, and letters not written by a professor must be from professionals working in the field of Spanish, translation and interpreting, or a closely related area (e.g., Latin American Studies, International Studies, International Business). Letters not written by professors should not come from a friend or family member, but from a work supervisor or somebody in a similar professional capacity.
Note: GRE scores are not required.
Prerequisite Requirements
LLC concentration applicants who do not have advanced-level undergraduate coursework in Spanish language and the literature and culture of Spain and Latin America will be required to take a minimum of two courses in these areas as part of their preparation for enrollment in the M.A. program. Such coursework may be taken as a post-baccalaureate graduate student (PBG), and up to 6 credit hours of such coursework with a grade of B or higher may be transferred forward to the M.A. program upon admission to the program. Applicants should consult with the Program Director for counseling.
Early Entry Program
Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Spanish requires 30 graduate credit hours. For any course to count toward the M.A. in Spanish, it must have been taken within seven years from the date of enrollment in the program. No more than 6 credit hours evaluated with a grade of C may be counted toward the minimum hours required for the master’s degree. Up to 6 credit hours of appropriate graduate coursework may be accepted for transfer from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. Additional non-residence credit for graduate study abroad may be possible via departmental pre-approval.
Language, Literature, and Culture (LLC) Concentration
The LLC concentration allows for an in-depth development of Spanish language skills and is especially recommended for teachers of Spanish. It also provides excellent preparation for individuals who may wish to pursue the Ph.D. in Spanish, for whom courses in literature and linguistics are especially recommended. Students may take either: (1) 30 credit hours of elective courses or (2) 24 credit hours of elective courses plus a master’s thesis (6 credit hours).
Elective Courses (24-30 credit hours)
Select from the following:
Note:
With the approval of the department, students may take 3 elective credit hours in related areas as part of the 24-30 credit hours. To do so, students must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Director explaining how these hours of elective courses will enrich their program.
Thesis (0-6 credit hours)
The master’s thesis may include Spanish and Spanish American literature; Spanish and Spanish American civilization and culture (including literature and film studies); Spanish linguistics, methodology, applied language (Spanish for business and international trade); and other special topics in Spanish.
Translation and Interpreting Studies (TIS) Concentration
The TIS concentration serves individuals interested in a career in professional translation or in enhancing their career or work opportunities as specialists in the language and culture industries. It also provides preparation for those who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. in fields such as Spanish, linguistics, translating and translation studies, intercultural communication, or international studies. Students may take either: (1) 30 credit hours of elective courses or (2) 24 credit hours of elective courses plus a master’s thesis (6 credit hours).
Spanish Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
Select two from:
Translation and Interpreting Studies Elective Courses (18-24 credit hours)
Select from the following:
Note:
With the approval of the department, students may take 3 elective credit hours in related areas as part of the 24-30 credit hours. To do so, students must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Director explaining how these hours of elective courses will enrich their program.
Thesis (0-6 credit hours)
The master’s thesis may include the history, theory, and method of translation; linguistics for translators; translation project management and technologies; and the analysis and translation of different types of texts and discourse: business, technical, medical, legal, scholarly, and literary.
Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours
Advising
Graduate students are advised by the Graduate Program Director and by designated graduate faculty members in good standing.
Comprehensive Examination
After Admission to Candidacy, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination. Students must be enrolled during the semester in which they take the comprehensive examination, which is usually taken during their final semester of enrollment in the program. The exams are scheduled twice a year: usually in mid to late November of each Fall semester and in mid to late April of each Spring semester.
Application for Degree
Students should make application for their degree by completing the online Application for Degree through Banner Self Service no later than the filing date specified in the University Academic Calendar.
Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis each year. Applications must be received no later than April 15 for assistantships beginning the following academic year. Further information is available in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Translation.
Cooperative Education
The Department offers TRAN 6481 to provide on-site work in translating texts or interpreting, English↔Spanish, with site, workload, and remuneration to be determined in consultation with employer and one faculty co-op advisor. Provides practical and professional training experience under conditions that the University cannot duplicate.
Tuition Waivers
A limited number of in-state as well as out-of-state tuition waivers may be available for new graduate assistants and/or outstanding applicants.
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