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Spanish
Program Description
About our program
The Masters of Arts (M.A.) program in Spanish is carefully
designed to broaden and deepen your knowledge of literature and
language, refine your analytical and critical thinking skills,
polish your writing to professional standards, and vastly improve
your career options. The SPanish faculty strongly believes that
the study of Spanish literature, language and writing can be both
intellectually fulfilling and highly practical. Our program emphasizes
applications of theory to enhance both teaching and research.
For the M.A. in Spanish, you can choose between the ‘Thesis
Plan’ and the ‘Non-Thesis Plan’, which requires
you to complete 30 or 36 credit hours, respectively. There are
only two required courses, one in Research and Criticism and the
other in Language Studies. Otherwise, you are invited to choose
six or seven courses from an offering of over 32 courses, ranging
in topics such as Golden Age Literature, Spanish-American Literature,
comparative linguistics, as well as current issues in teaching
Spanish.
Our program offers you a customized plan of studies that focuses
on the various genres of literature and an opportunity to teach
Spanish Language Learners with a variety of skill levels. Classes
are small, allowing you to receive individual attention, and graduate
professors are strong and positive mentors, who will guide you
throughout your coursework and beyond.
Why should you come here
Texas A&M International University offers a unique environment
for studying Spanish. This institution not only provides a solid
academic foundation but also promotes a culturally diverse atmosphere.
Since the majority of Spanish graduate students are native or
heritage speakers of Spanish, you have the opportunity to engage
in discussion that focuses on content and learning rather than
solely on language skills; consequently, your search for knowledge
consists of exciting and interactive learning experiences. Furthermore,
the Laredo community is linguistically and culturally rich in
Hispanic traditions and customs, which allows you to live and
learn in a Hispanic community within the United States but with
immediate access to Mexico just across the border. Laredo, Texas,
a city under seven flags, is distinguished by its Spanish colonial
architectural influence. Its historical landmarks and monuments
vividly reflect timeless events in the Mexican-American past.
Furthering your education at Texas A&M International University
is the gateway to discovering two worlds encompassed in a one-of-a-kind
ambience.
About our faculty
Our full-time faculty has doctorates in all specialty areas of
Spanish, such as Golden Age and Latin American literature and
Hispanic Linguistics. They are nationally and internationally
recognized and have active research agendas. Moreover, they are
committed to providing the highest standards in the classroom
and to preparing future scholars, teachers and practitioners.
The low student/teacher ratio provides a comfortable learning
setting. As a result, each student at Texas A&M International
University is able to interact on a one-to-one basis with the
professor. Inspirational minds and warm, friendly spirits are
always ready to assist students in reaching their educational
goals.
Graduate assistantships
A limited number of merit-based graduate assistantships are available
each year to students interested in working with faculty or administration
in the Department of Language and Literature.
Careers
The face of the United States is becoming increasingly bi- and
multilingual. Possessing a high-level of proficiency in Spanish
and understanding Hispanic culture, art, and history is your key
to opening the door to a new world. An M.A. in Spanish will offer
career opportunities in travel and tourism, journalism and media,
government services such as the FBI, CIA or INS, international
business and law, and health and safety professions such as nursing
and the police force. Additionally, with AP high school Spanish
courses in high demand, the M.A. in Spanish is also becoming a
necessity for secondary school Spanish teachers. Similarly, an
M.A. in Spanish is a minimum requirement for teaching college-level
Spanish and for entering a Ph.D. program in Spanish. With the
implementation of the cooperative doctoral program in Hispanic
Studies, the Spanish M.A. becomes a crucial stepping stone for
you if you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. Our ‘Thesis
Plan’ provides you not only with a strong foundation in
Hispanic literature, language and culture, but also prepares you
with the research and writing skills expected at the doctoral
level.
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