Why get a Master of Arts in Spanish?
The Master of Arts program in Spanish at the University of Colorado Denver offers an alternative to exclusively literary studies that traditionally lead to doctoral programs. By integrating language, literature, linguistics, pedagogy, and cultural studies with ancillary work in other disciplines, the degree provides the broader expertise that will lead to or enhance careers in K-12 teaching, health care, higher education, counseling, interpreting, translation, law enforcement, government, banking, hospitality, law, travel and tourism, international and domestic business, arts and media, and diplomacy. Students can tailor the program to their specific interests and needs by developing a topical focus including courses within and outside the Department of Modern Languages. Courses are offered in a variety of formats: in person, remote and asynchronous online.
Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP):
Pay In-State Tuition
The Spanish Master’s Program participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which is a tuition-reciprocity arrangement with 15 participating states and 1 Commonwealth. The WRGP program allows students who are residents of these participating states to pay in-state tuition for the duration of the MA program. In addition to Colorado, the participating states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
To apply for residency status in the Spanish MA program, identify yourself as WICHE WRGP applicant on your graduate studies application. WRGP applicants must meet the university's WRGP admission requirements and deadlines.
Requirements for Admission:
In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate admission, the Spanish MA program requires:
- an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5, with a GPA of at least 3.0 in Spanish courses
- a bachelor's degree in Spanish is not required, although all candidates must demonstrate Spanish oral and written proficiency at the advanced level, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- two copies of all college transcripts
- three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from former college-level instructors.
- a statement of the applicant's purpose in pursuing the degree, in Spanish; any gaps, weaknesses or special circumstances affecting an applicant's academic record should be addressed in the statement of purpose portion of the application
- a TOEFL score higher than 550 for students whose previous academic degree was completed in a non-English-speaking country
- Priority Application Deadlines are: for Fall & Summer Admission – March 15th, and for Spring Admission - October 15th
In special circumstances, the department may modify its admission standards.
Application Deadlines:
- New Spanish MA students are accepted for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
- For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by March 15th for Summer and Fall, and by October 15th for Spring. Applications received after these dates will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Students choose from two options for completion of their master’s degree:
- 27 hours of Master's level Coursework plus written thesis (6 credit hours) and oral thesis defense; OR
- 33 hours of Master's level Coursework plus 4 written exams and oral exam defense
**We also offer the option of: Combined BA/MA Spanish (4+1) Program
Student Learning Outcomes:
This program aims to provide students with language skills and cultural knowledge that will lead to careers in business and international trade, government, teaching, and social services. Specifically, students will learn:
- to understand the intricacies of the Spanish language and its history
- to develop a working knowledge of some of the most important works created in Spanish, in disciplines including literature, film, linguistics and cultural history
- to develop the linguistic proficiency in Spanish to engage in intellectual discussion in both academic and non-academic settings using standard pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary
- to think, speak and write analytically and critically about culture.
**For more information on Provisional Acceptance, Graduation Requirements, and the acceptance of Transfer Credit, please contact Dr. Andrés Lema-Hincapie, Graduate Advisor.
