PURPOSE
The M.A. is an advanced degree that builds on the undergraduate major in Spanish or Portuguese. The program provides the student with further knowledge of literature, a degree of oral and written proficiency, some acquaintance with literary theory, and experience in carrying out research. It has two purposes: it gives advanced preparation for teaching language and it furnishes a basis for future study and research in literature and language for those who qualify and choose to enter the Ph.D. program.
ADMISSION
An undergraduate Spanish major with an overall grade average of B or better, or equivalent preparation at a foreign university, is ordinarily required. In some cases the Department may ask the student to take an examination before enrolling in graduate courses; deficiencies in the student's background may have to be made up by extra course work.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants, and in addition the TOEFL is required for foreign applicants. Applications must be complete by February 1 for admission with a fellowship or teaching assistantship.
RESIDENCE
Tulane Graduate School regulations call for the minimum payment of tuition and fees for 30 hours of credit.
TRANSFER CREDIT
A student transferring graduate credit from other universities will be allowed a maximum of 12 hours, after he or she has done a semester of satisfactory work in the Department.
TIME LIMIT
The Department expects the M.A. to be completed within two years of full-time work. When financial aid is granted for the M.A., it is for not more than two years. The Graduate School sets an overall limit of five years of aid to complete the M.A. and the Ph.D.
COURSE WORK
Students are required to complete 30 credits (10 courses). They should include the following:
SPAN 601 Methods of Teaching
3 courses on Peninsular Literature
3 courses on Latin American Literature
3 other elective courses in the Department
2 of the courses listed above must be taken at the 700 level (Effective Fall, 2005)
JOINT M.A. IN SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE. An additional information sheet is available concerning this program.
GRADES
Attention is called to the grading system as described in the Graduate Bulletin. "I" or incomplete grades automatically become "U" unless the work is made up within 30 days of the end of the semester in which reported. Graduate School policy is that a combination of two "B-" or "U" grades usually indicates that a student's work is unsatisfactory and that he or she should discontinue graduate study. Graduate students must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. A students whose GPA falls below 3.5 may be dropped from the program.
READING KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION
Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of one language other than English and the language in which they specialize. This requirement may be satisfied by passing a translation and reading-comprehension examination, or by successfully completing a 600- or 700-level course in the language.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
CONTINUATION TOWARD THE Ph.D.
There are four possible outcomes to the Master’s exam:
1) Pass with permission to continue in the PhD program
2) Fail with permission to retake parts of the exam if the student performs satisfactorily in at least half of the areas in which he or she is being tested
3) Terminal pass allowing the student to leave the program with an MA
4) Fail
In determining the student’s eligibility to continue to the Ph.D. program, the faculty takes into account the exam results, history of class performance, and assessment of the student’s potential for performing independent research.
Revised April 2008
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