Masters of Arts in Spanish

Graduate Programs

The Department of Hispanic Languages and Literatures offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts in Spanish and the Master of Science in Secondary Education: Spanish, the latter in conjunction with the Department of Secondary Education and Youth Services (SEYS). Students interested in the Master of Science in Secondary Education: Spanish should contact Dr. Jennifer Eddy, who is the advisor.  Students are required to meet with the appropriate Faculty Advisor for the program chosen.  It is the responsibility of the student to register with the Advisor during the first weeks of the semester in which the first course applicable to the M. A./M. S. in Ed. degree is taken at Queens College.  During this time, a suggested plan of studies may be outlined by the student in consultation with the Advisor.

​Information concerning tuition and fees, registration, scholastic standards, leaves of absence, fellowships, etc., is listed in the Queens College  Graduate Bulletin.  Applications are submitted online through the Office of Graduate Admissions at: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=qccunygrad

Masters of Arts in Spanish

Requirements for Matriculation

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for admission.

1) Undergraduate degree with strong component in Spanish (21 credits beyond second-year language study), including the equivalent of Spanish 240, 250, 260, 280, 290, 310 or 312, and a 300-level elective course.

2) The credentials of each applicant are to be examined by a departmental committee, which shall have the authority to accept or reject the candidate.  This committee may request an interview with a candidate for admission if necessary.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

1) Thirty-three credits, or 27 credits and a 6-credit Thesis, are required for the Master of Arts degree. A minimum of 24 credits must be taken in Spanish. With special permission, the remaining credits may be taken in other departments.

2) All students are required to take Spanish 700. Stylistics and Composition, as part of the required 33 credits.  Spanish 700 should be taken in the first or second semester of study, and students must pass the course with a B or higher, in order to continue in the program. The course may be taken only twice.

3) Students will be required to demonstrate their reading knowledge of another Romance language, in addition to their major language. Latin or any other language pertinent to the study of Hispanic literature may be substituted by special permission. An intermediate level course in Romance language completed at the college with a grade of B or higher fulfills this requirement. 

 4) OPTIONAL:  Students who wish to complete a Thesis based on original research are required to take the following two courses as part of the 33-credit requirement: Spanish 790. Thesis Seminar; and Spanish 791, Thesis Course. The 6-credit Thesis may be substituted for the two required elective courses. This Thesis will normally be written in Spanish, or, by special permission, in English, and it must follow the norms of the MLA Style Manual.

Every student is urged to meet with the Advisor at least once every semester to discuss her/his program and inform the Advisor of her/his progress. No allowance will be made for a student’s faulty planning of her/his own program.

Course Breakdown

The 33 credits required for the degree are to be distributed as follows:

  1. SPAN 700 – Stylistics and Composition (3 credits).  All students must take this course as soon as possible. 
  2. At least 9 credits in Latin American literature, and 9 credits in Peninsular literature.  
  3. Six credits in seminar courses:
    1. SPAN 783. Research Seminar: Linguistics. 
    2. SPAN 784. Research Seminar: Literature. 
  4. At least 6 credits in elective courses (linguistics, literature, and/or culture courses); or  SPAN 790 -Thesis Seminar, and SPAN 791 – Thesis Course.
Note: A student may take any of the Research Seminars twice, provided that the topics are different.
Transfer Credits

Students who have already taken graduate courses in Spanish at other institutions when they are admitted to our master’s program must be aware that we will accept a maximum of 9 credits passed with a B- or higher. No Pass/Fail grades will be accepted.

Matriculated students seeking transfer credit for graduate work taken at other institutions must submit the request for evaluation of such transfer credit to the Graduate Advisor no later than the end of their second semester in attendance.

Extra-Departmental Study

After being granted special permission by their Graduate Advisor, students may take a maximum of 6 credits in other departments, other CUNY campuses, or other colleges.

Accelerated Master Programs

Hispanic Languages Department offers early admissions and an early start on your graduate education, through the Accelerated Master Program. Learn more in the Accelerated Degrees site​.