Spanish Graduate Required Exams

Admission Degree Requirements  Courses

The MA Spanish program is a non-thesis option program.

Before taking the MA Examinations, graduate candidates must complete an Oral Competency Interview. This tool is conducted in the style of an Oral Proficiency Interview. This interview does not directly affect the student’s final exam results and is used as an assessment of the program.

The MA Graduate Examinations consist of THREE exams (typically taken during the second year of the program):

1. Spanish Peninsular Literature (MA Reading List)
2. Latin American Literature (MA Reading List)
3. A chosen Specialization (reading list developed in consultation with faculty)

No exam may be taken more than twice.

All written examinations shall be completed at least one week before the Oral Interview in Spanish with participating graduate faculty. 

The interview is conducted for program assessment purposes. Students should consult with the Graduate Advisor prior to the second week of the semester of their graduation. This interview WILL NOT impact the final results of the MA examinations or degree requirements. If a student scores lower than Intermediate High according to the ACTFL guidelines, the Graduate Coordinator will recommend strategies to improve oral proficiency. There is a certain flexibility associated with this assessment—in case graduation plans change, the timing of the interview can be negotiated after consulting with the Graduate Coordinator.

Format: All written exams are scheduled for 3 hours. Students are permitted the use of a dictionary during these exams. Students must bring their own blue books and pen. Additional paper will be provided, if necessary. If the student needs special accommodations, please be sure to discuss this in advance with the graduate coordinator.

• Latin American Literature
  Students should be familiar with the works on the MA Reading List and be able to comment on the cultural context of the works, their recurrent themes, and structural particularities. Students will be expected to identify the aesthetic of each work and the socio-political importance of the work.
• Spanish Peninsular Literature
  Students should be familiar with the works on the MA Reading List and be able to comment on the cultural context of the works, their recurrent themes, and structural particularities. Students will be expected to identify the aesthetic of each work and the socio-political importance of the work.
• Chosen Specialization
  Students select a specialization based on interests developed during their course of study. All graduate courses taught through MCLL are eligible as a specialization area as well as other areas of study. Students will work in tandem with a graduate faculty member to obtain clear guidelines as to what their chosen Specialization Examination will entail. It is recommended that the student meet with the graduate faculty member several times prior to the exam date, which will be scheduled at their preference. It is recommended that this exam be taken prior to the other ones. The Chosen Specialization exam can be an oral exam, a report or a presentation (the format will be determined in consultation with faculty).

Recent specializations have included Latin American critical theory, Latino Studies, Intercultural Competence in study abroad programs, World Languages Pedagogy, 20th century Latin American short story, Poetry translation, feminism and women writers, Latin American film, and narratives of resistance, and more.

Format: After successfully completing all written examinations, students will have the opportunity to have a final Oral Interview in Spanish with graduate faculty. The Interview will be conducted by a committee comprised of all available Spanish Graduate Faculty, and is chaired by the professor in charge of the chosen specialization area. Students will be asked to clarify or expand their essay questions. The students may be also be asked about the essay questions not selected in the written part.

Schedule: The Oral Interview is scheduled for the last week of November (for Fall graduation) and the last week of April (for Spring graduation). The specific date, time, and location will be determined once students have finished all written examinations.

To prepare for this interview consult with professors if you have questions or comments about your results, consult your notes from the written exams, consult the reading lists and the MA study guide.