Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies

Advisor: Mercedes Tasende
513 Sprau Tower
E-mail: mercedes.tasende@wmich.edu
Telephone: (269) 387-3003

The Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies enables students to extend and deepen their knowledge of literatures, cultures, and linguistics in the Hispanic world. The program provides advanced study for those who intend to pursue professions in Spanish or related fields as well as for those students who desire to do further graduate work.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree with a major of 30 hours in Spanish, or equivalent.
A minimum 3.0 grade point average in the undergraduate Spanish major.
Two letters of recommendation from persons able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate work in Spanish.
A brief statement in Spanish regarding areas of interest and academic/professional goals.
An official copy of transcripts for all completed coursework.
A recent version of a curriculum vitae or résumé.
An interview in Spanish, either in person or by telephone.
Applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements may be admitted at the discretion of the Spanish graduate faculty. In such cases, students may be required to complete advisor-approved course work to remove certain deficiencies.

Program Requirements

1. Complete 30 hours of work in courses numbered 5000 and above.

SPAN 5400 and SPAN 5600 may be included with permission from the Spanish graduate advisor.

At least 21 hours of these credits must be in courses numbered 6000 and above. A maximum of six (6) hours of the required 30 hours may be taken in appropriate cognate fields, as approved by the Spanish graduate advisor.

2. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses combined.

SPAN 6000 - Don Quijote Credits: 3 hours

3. Attend a minimum of two professional lectures per year of graduate study.

4. Pass the M.A. comprehensive examination.

After completion of 21 credit hours (usually the end of the third semester), each student must propose an examination committee of three faculty members with whom she or he has taken classes, and on the basis of these classes the student will be examined. The MA Final Exam will cover the readings listed as required on the syllabi corresponding to the courses the student has taken with each committee member, as well as additional readings either suggested by committee members or provided as recommended readings on the syllabi.

The exam will be administered on the first Friday after Spring Break, during the Spring semester, or alternatively on the first Friday of November, during the Fall semester. The student will be given three essay questions on topics broadly related to the chosen coursework, and will have two days to develop written essays that address the three questions (two questions will be given and answered on Friday, and the third question will be given and answered the following Monday). Each essay must demonstrate critical thinking, primary source interpretation, as well as appropriate argumentation and analysis (linguistic, cultural, ideological, literary, philosophical, theoretical, historical, etc.). One week after the written exam, the student will meet with the committee members for a follow-up closure conversation.

The committee will evaluate the student based on general progress and skills acquired, merits displayed in the completed coursework, the quality of the written component of the final examination, and the student’s performance on the oral component (closure conversation) of the exam. A single grade will be given for the entire exam. Possible grades are: superior, good, pass, or fail. Students who fail the exam may retake it only once. At the discretion of the exam committee, they may be required to retake the entire examination or portions of it. Failing the exam for a second time will result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Program Information

For additional information about the Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies and for forms needed to apply for admission, students may write to WMU’s Office of Admissions or to the department’s graduate advisor. Students are encouraged to consult information available at www.wmich.edu/spanish. Assistantships may be available for qualified applicants.

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