MA in Spanish: Latin American Studies

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish: Latin American Studies at American University provides students with a wealth of knowledge which focuses on cultural studies, interdisciplinary Latin American Studies, international relations, literature, and language. Specialized knowledge of the Spanish language and Latin Americans can provide students with a competitive edge when pursuing careers such as education, translation, business, etc. Improved interpretive and communicative skills acquired in the program also prepare graduates for success in PhD programs valuing critical analysis.

The Program

• Is conducted by a dynamic faculty of outstanding scholars and teachers
• Takes advantage of American University’s Washington location through internships and cooperative education, field trips, guest lecturers, visiting faculty, and the rich range of research facilities in the area
• Combines a core of common courses dealing with Latin America and a specialization of the student’s choice from four options: Interdisciplinary Studies, Linguistics/Language/Translation, Language Teaching, and Literature and Culture
• Enables students to earn a Certificate in Spanish Translation while earning an M.A. with no additional course work beyond the 33 hours
• Allows students to choose courses taught in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. The Department of Language and Foreign Studies offers a full range of graduate courses, taught in Spanish, in the areas of linguistics, translation, literature, and Latin American area studies. Students may take up to 12 credits of Latin American studies courses in English, in the School of International Service, the School of Public Affairs, and the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy and Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences
• Provides for study abroad opportunities in Latin American countries and in Spain
• Administers a service-learning internship (Proyecto Amistad)

Graduates of the program have been employed in a wide range of careers such as teaching, international business, translation, diplomacy, research with governmental and non-profit organizations, and advanced studies leading to a doctoral degree.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

• 33 credit hours of approved graduate work, of which at least 21 hours must be in courses taught in Spanish. Course work includes 21 credit hours of core requirements and 12 credit hours in a field of concentration.
• Thesis option: Students must complete 6 credits hours of SPAN-797 Master’s Thesis Seminar as part of their concentration. Non-thesis option: Students complete two offerings of SPAN-705 or one offering of SPAN-705 plus a research project in any approved course within Spanish: Latin American Studies in LFS, with grades of B or better.
• Assessment of core: A written examination in Spanish.
• Assessment of field of concentration: An oral presentation of a portfolio compiled by the student in consultation with an advisor.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
• 3.2 GPA in the last 60 hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate work;
• scores from the GRE General Aptitude test;
• two letters of recommendation;
• a well-written Statement of Purpose;
• TOEFL score of 600 paper / 250 computer for all international students whose first language is not English.

Applicants should be proficient in Spanish, familiar with the culture, and normally hold a BA in Spanish. A written sample of work in Spanish is required as a part of formal application.

Contact Information

Department of Language and Foreign Studies
American University
Asbury Building, Room 324
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
E-mail: lfs@american.edu
Phone: 202-885-2381