I. Goals of the 4 + 1 M.A. program

The aim of the 4 + 1 Combined Degree Program is to provide undergraduates with the opportunity to earn an M.A. in one year, by taking four graduate courses in the fall semester and three graduate courses in the spring semester of the fifth year. No comprehensive examination or thesis are required. Several students have provided testimonials of their experiences in the 4+1 program.

II. Description of the program

This program combines a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Department of Spanish or Portuguese with a terminal Master of Arts degree in Spanish or Portuguese, condensing what would normally be six years of study into five years. The degree program will be offered to students in Tulane College and Newcomb College. It is envisioned that students enrolling in this program will mainly be interested in teaching at the high school or community college level. We strongly recommend that they also pursue a teaching certificate at Tulane University's Teacher Preparation and Certification Program.

III. Undergraduate component

Candidates for the program would normally apply for admission by February 1 of their senior year. By the end of the junior year candidates should have completed all LAS proficiency and distribution requirements for the B.A. degree, and all "core" requirements for the Spanish or Portuguese major. In addition, candidates are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in the major by the close of the junior year. By the end of the senior year all candidates will have completed all requirements for the BA degree in Spanish or Portuguese.

IV. Fifth (Graduate) year

In the 5th year, at least 21 semester hours of graduate (600- or 700-level) courses will be completed toward the graduate degree component. Subject to departmental approval, three credits (one course) completed toward the graduate degree component can be taken in another graduate department or school (e.g. concentration in English, French, Women Studies, ADST, Communications).

V. Curriculum

4+1 M.A. in Spanish: A total of 18 courses or 54 credits.
3 @ 300 level
4 @ 400 level
11 @ 600 level including the required SPAN 601.

4+1 M.A. in Portuguese: A total of 17 courses or 51 credits.
3 @ 300 level
3 @ 400 level
11 @ 600 level including the required SPAN 601.

VI. Application

Students interested in applying to this program should send by February 1 a letter stating his/her interest in the program and the reasons for it, and two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a professor in our department.