College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies
www.kent.edu/mcls

About This Program

The Master of Arts in Spanish provides students with advanced language skills and cultural knowledge. With a focus on research and immersion, this program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities. Read more...

Contact Information

• Patrick Gallagher | pgallag1@kent.edu |
  330-672-2150

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Applications to the Languages, Literature and Culture concentration are not being accepted at this time.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the Languages, Literature and Culture concentration are not being accepted at this time.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• A CD or MP3/wav file with a 5-10-minute oral sample in both applicant's first and second languages (conversational, not read from a script)
  • In lieu of an oral sample, applicants may submit a copy of a recent ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview Certificate (no more than three years old)
• Writing sample(s) in applicant's second language, which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation. International applicants should also submit a writing sample in English.
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: January 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy Concentration Requirements

¹

Students who are already licensed to teach language in Ohio may, with departmental approval, substitute a graduate second-language pedagogy elective for MCLS 50660. 

Languages, Literature and Culture Concentration Requirements

¹

A maximum 6 credit hours of individual investigation research may be applied toward the degree.

²

Students interested in a thesis option may register for a maximum of 6 credit hours of SPAN 68199.

³

Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of their M.A. program at the 60000 level. Electives should be chosen accordingly in consultation with the student's academic advisor.

Graduation Requirements

• All students in the Spanish M.A. are required to complete the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview, ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the Spanish. Outcomes Assessment Test, prior to being cleared for graduation. Information about the exams can be found on the ACTFL website and the Language Testing International (LTI) website, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL.
• Students in the Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration must successfully complete a final project, a portfolio or a comprehensive examination. Students are encouraged to enroll in study­ abroad programs (maximum 6 credit hours) and in specialized workshops in advanced language or pedagogy (maximum 4 credit hours). Departmental permission must be obtained before enrolling in such programs.
• Students in the Language, Literature and Culture concentration must successfully complete one of the following: (1) comprehensive examination; (2) concentration exam and thesis; or (3) final research project.
• Students who anticipate enrolling in a doctorate elsewhere after completing the M.A. degree are urged to write a thesis. Students who write a thesis must successfully pass a comprehensive examination.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Communicate in Spanish at advanced-mid or higher proficiency level as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview Test and ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test.
2. Demonstrate skills in the analysis of Spanish Peninsular, Latin American or Hispanic culture, literature and language.
3. Demonstrate an ability to carry out and present research projects in their respective concentration areas.
4. Demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills in their respective concentration area.

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish provides advanced education in Spanish, which integrates the language, linguistics, literature and culture of Spain and Latin America and the latest methodologies in the teaching of Spanish.

The Spanish major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy concentration is intended primarily for (1) licensed, in-service pre-K-12 Spanish teachers who wish to continue their professional development, advancing their knowledge of the Spanish language, literature and culture and language-teaching practices, and (2) students interested in teaching Spanish in college and university settings. This program does not lead to teaching licensure.
• The Languages, Literature and Culture concentration is intended for those who wish to increase their knowledge of literature and culture along with their command of the language for various purposes.