M.A. Program

At the M. A. level, graduate students develop a solid, general base in the Spanish language, and in Hispanic literature and culture. Our M. A. program is broad in content, reflecting a balance between Spanish and Spanish American literature and culture. Upon completion of the M.A. degree, students will be prepared to enter a Ph. D. program at UTK or elsewhere, or to use their training in Spanish as a point of departure for other kinds of careers, such as secondary education or government service.

Thesis Option

1. Completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours in coursework plus at least six (6) hours in course 500 Thesis. A maximum of 6 hours may be taken at the 400 level, the rest at the 500 level, and under certain conditions the student may take 600-level seminars.
   
   If the student chooses to have a minor (such as Italian or Portuguese), at least 24 hours (including 6 hours of thesis) must be taken in the major, 6 in the minor.
2. A thesis, with a minimum of 6 semester hours in course 500.
3. A written examination covering the coursework and selected items from a master reading list.
4. A final oral examination covering the thesis.

Non-Thesis Option

1. Completion of at least 30 semester hours, with a maximum of 6 at the 400 level, the rest at the 500 level. Under certain conditions, the student may take 600-level seminars. If the student chooses to have a minor (such as Italian or Portuguese), at least 24 hours must be taken in the major, 6 in the minor.
2. Three (3) term papers that have been accepted by the student's advisory committee.
3. A written examination covering the coursework and selected items from a master reading list.