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The Master of Arts Degree in Spanish offers students the opportunity to pursue studies in Hispanic literature, linguistics, and culture. The program prepares students for doctoral studies and for careers in the teaching of Spanish, bilingual education, international business, social and governmental services, and other related areas.

More information can be found on the Department of World Languages and Literatures  website: www.sjsu.edu/wll.

Admissions Requirements

University Admissions

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system and meet all the university admission requirements. Applicants apply separately to the department to obtain admission into the MA, Spanish degree program. See the GAPE Graduate Admissions website and this Catalog for general information about graduate admissions at SJSU.

Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on the Graduate Program Test Requirements webpage at GAPE. For TOEFL Requirements, see the Policies and Procedures  section, Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Information .

Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

Minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division are outlined in this catalog. In order to be admitted to classified standing in the MA program in Spanish, students should possess the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent, as assessed by the department), with a major in Spanish, and including at least 16 units of upper-division work in the major with a grade of “B” or better.
2. Evidence of college-level proficiency in Spanish.

Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

A student may be admitted to conditionally classified standing if he or she meets minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division but does not fully meet requirements for Classified admission to the MA, Spanish program. The individual admission notification will explain the required terms and conditions for attaining Classified standing.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy requires favorable action by both the departmental graduate committee and the university graduate committee. All applicants meet institutional requirements as set forth in this catalog. The University requires that all graduate students complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  as a condition for advancement to candidacy . For graduate courses that meet the GWAR, please refer to the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website at www.sjsu.edu/gape.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) . 

Culminating Experience

Each candidate for the master’s degree must successfully complete a final comprehensive written examination.

Program Requirements

The minimum program for a Master of Arts in Spanish degree includes the following:

1. The 32 unit program for a Master of Spanish requires at least 20 semester units of 200-level courses. Included in these 32 units, students must take FORL 200W , which satisfies the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .
2. Up to 12 units of approved upper-division (100-level) courses not used to meet a requirement for the BA degree in Spanish at San José State University may be taken in the Graduate Division to complete the minimum 32-unit program.
3. Final comprehensive examination conducted in Spanish.
4. Demonstration of competence in written English.