Spanish: Spanish Linguistics, MA

for the degree of Master of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics Concentration

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers work leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish and Portuguese, and to a Concentration in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education (SLATE).

Fields of specialization are:

Spanish linguistics
Romance linguistics
Spanish literature and cultural studies
Latin American literature and cultural studies
Brazilian Studies
Luso-Brazilian literature and cultural studies

A graduate course in Catalan literature is also available. Additionally, the department is affiliated with the Latina/Latino Studies Program. Students in the area of Latina/Latino studies may be able to work with experts in the other disciplines in Latina/Latino studies such as anthropology, history, political science, sociology, and so forth in order to design and complete a program of studies in a particular area.

Admission
The normal prerequisite for a graduate major is an undergraduate major in the corresponding Romance language or consent of the department. Students doing graduate work for any advanced degree in Spanish or Portuguese must possess a command of the language. Applicants should apply online (www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply) and submit a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation and a writing sample of approximately 10-20 pages in the form of one or two papers, at least one of which must be written in Spanish or Portuguese (as applicable). Original transcripts (with English translations if applicable) showing all undergraduate and graduate work completed should also be uploaded. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are recommended (although not required) of all domestic applicants and should be submitted to institution code 1836. International applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit their scores as well. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must score at least 88 on the internet-based test (iBT); they must also pass the speaking sub-section of the iBT with a minimum score of 24 (see www.grad.illinois.edu/Admissions/instructions/04c). Applications are accepted for fall admission only. Application questions may be directed to SLCL Graduate Student Services at slclgradservices@illinois.edu.

Centers, Programs, and Institutes
The option to pursue a concentration in SLATE (Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education) is available to doctoral students in the department's programs in linguistics. Candidates selecting this option are required to complete courses in linguistics, psycholinguistics/sociolinguistics, second language studies, and research methodology in addition to advanced study in linguistics of the particular language. For information about SLATE go to www.slate.illinois.edu.

Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, this department requires degree candidates to teach as part of their academic work. Such experience is considered a vital part of the graduate program. Non-native English speakers must first pass a test of their oral English ability (see www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/taengprof.htm).

Financial Aid
The department offers financial aid (in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships) to all of the students it admits. Other kinds of fellowships and research support are also available on a competitive basis to qualified candidates; they include dissertation research and travel grants, conference travel grants, and summer fellowships.

for the degree of Master of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics Concentration

The M.A. in Spanish, Concentration in Spanish Linguistics is administered through the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Its goal is to provide graduate students with rigorous training in all main areas of Spanish Linguistics. It requires coursework on the phonological, morphological and syntactic structure of the Spanish language, as well as its history, sociolinguistics, and acquisition as a second language.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's guidelines for graduate students and the Graduate College Handbook.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
One course in each of the departmental areas (syntax, phonology, morphology, sociolinguistics and dialectology, historical linguistics, second language acquisition).
Total Spanish Linguistics-specific Hours		24

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Concentration-specific course requirements (24 Hours)
Two 500-level courses chosen in consultation with the advisor		8
Total Hours		32

Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements
Requirement	Description
Other requirements may overlap
A concentration is required.
SPAN 571 is required of all teaching assistants
Research paper completed in consultation with advisors.
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall:	12
Minimum GPA:	3.0

for the degree of Master of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics Concentration

Students will acquire basic knowledge in all sub-areas of Hispanic linguistics including syntax, phonology, morphology, dialectology, sociolinguistics, diachronic linguistics, and second language acquisition and will develop a critical and reflective orientation toward the language and cultures of the people of the Spanish-speaking world
Students will develop understanding of the major theoretical and empirical problems in all sub-areas of Hispanic linguistics.
Students will acquire basic knowledge of theory and research methods in linguistics to be able to conduct linguistic analysis in syntax, phonology and morphology related to Spanish with human subjects or texts from the Spanish-speaking world.
Students will acquire ability to communicate research findings in a variety of academic venues in spoken and written English and in Spanish
Students will acquire knowledge of teaching methodologies and will be able to teach at the undergraduate level.

Graduate Degree Programs in Spanish & Portuguese