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Spanish Graduate Studies

Join us at Saint Louis University for an enriching graduate experience that will equip you with the skills, knowledge and cultural competence to excel in an increasingly globalized world. SLU's Spanish graduate programs offer a comprehensive blend of academic and practical training, providing students with valuable teaching and research opportunities in the languages and cultures of Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, Latin America and Spain.

You can specialize in one of our three graduate pathways:

  1. M.A. in Spanish 
  2. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Advanced Spanish Studies
  3. M.A . in Spanish Education

Strengths

  • Academic excellence: engage in rigorous coursework designed to develop critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills in Spanish.
  • Cultural immersion: enhance your cultural awareness and understanding of Spanish-speaking communities, fostering a global perspective.
  • Career advancement: prepare for diverse career paths in education, academia, non-profits, translation, business, government, law, health care, and other fields where high-level Spanish fluency and intercultural competence are essential.
  • Advanced studies: lay a strong foundation for further graduate work or doctoral studies in Spanish.
Three students sit next to each other and smile at the camera at an outdoor gathering.

 


Faculty Expertise

Our program is distinguished by its accomplished faculty, who are:

  • Recognized scholars: active researchers with diverse interests and strong academic backgrounds, contributing to their fields.
  • Award-winning educators: dedicated teachers passionate about mentoring students and fostering their intellectual growth and academic success.

Areas of Specialization

The program’s faculty specialize in a wide range of areas, ensuring a rich and diverse academic experience.

Literatures and Cultures

  • Cultural, intellectual and social history
  • Film, media and visual studies
  • Feminism and gender studies
  • Race and ethnic studies
  • Literary and cultural studies

Linguistics and Pedagogy

  • Phonetics and phonology
  • Language variation
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Dialectology
  • Pronunciation
  • Second- and heritage-language acquisition
  • Dual-language immersion programs

Program Pathways

Find out more about our exciting programs below.

M.A. in Spanish

Spanish Reading List

Time to Completion
  • Full-time option: two years
  • Part-time option: up to five years
Total Credits

30 credit hours total

 

Content

Three required courses in Literatures and Cultures 
Three required courses in Linguistics and Pedagogy 
Four electives 

Final Assessment

Four-hour written exam (in Spanish – final year) 
One-hour oral exam (in Spanish – final semester)

Intended Audience
  • Graduates with a B.A. in Spanish or related field with high intermediate fluency (or above) in Spanish*
  • Teachers of K-12 Spanish/world Languages who want an M.A. in their content area (and do not need licensure)  

*Applicants who have completed a B.A. in other areas/fields or who have different backgrounds should reach out to discuss their trajectories and interests with the M.A. coordinator 

Benefits

Spanish graduate study at SLU provides both academic and practical training, alongside valuable teaching and research opportunities, in the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking communities of the United States, Latin America and Spain.  

In-depth study offers students the foundation, experiences and opportunities needed to:

  • Excel in critical thinking, reading, writing and speaking in Spanish.
  • Heighten cultural awareness and understanding of Spanish-speaking communities and expand an international perspective.
  • Expand career opportunities in a global market.
  • Work and interact with other Spanish speakers in the U.S. and abroad in the fields of education, academia, nonprofits, translation, business, government, law, health care and other careers that benefit from high-level fluency in Spanish and intercultural competence.
  • Continue with advanced-level graduate work or doctoral studies in Spanish.

M.A. in Spanish Education

Time to Completion
  • Full-time Option: two years plus two required summers
  • Part-time option: up to five years 
Total Credits
33 credit hours + 10 hours of experiences (43 credit hours total)
Content

Four required courses of Spanish content [Literatures and Cultures, Linguistics and Pedagogy] 
Two required Spanish pedagogy courses 
Five required education courses 
Two teaching experiences + semester-long practicum (final semester) 

Final Assessment

One-hour portfolio presentation (in English – final semester) 

Intended Audience
  • Graduates with a B.A. in Spanish or a related field with high intermediate fluency (or above) in Spanish*
  • Teachers of K-12 Spanish/world languages who want an M.A. in their content area + licensure   

*Applicants who have completed their B.A. in other areas/fields or who have different backgrounds should reach out to discuss their trajectories and interests with the M.A. Coordinator  

Benefits

Spanish graduate study at SLU provides both academic and practical training, alongside valuable teaching and research opportunities, in the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking communities of the United States, Latin America and Spain.  

In-depth study offers students the foundation, experiences and opportunities needed to: 

  • Become certified, with Licensure, and teach in a public or private school.
  • Excel in critical thinking, reading, writing and speaking in Spanish.
  • Heighten cultural awareness and understanding of Spanish-speaking communities and expand an international perspective.
  • Expand career opportunities in a global market.
  • Work and interact with other Spanish speakers in the U.S. and abroad in the fields of education, academia, nonprofits, translation, business, government, law,  health care and other careers that benefit from high-level fluency in Spanish and intercultural competence) - continue with advanced-level graduate work or doctoral studies in Spanish or education.


Along with its Saint Louis campus, SLU also has a campus in Madrid, where students are encouraged to take courses.

Graduate Programs Coordinator


Amy E. Wright, Ph.D.
Email: amy.wright@slu.edu
Office phone: 314-977-3187