About

Would you like to improve your linguistic and cultural competencies for use in your professional life? Are you a K-12 teacher interested in teaching at the postsecondary level, finding new material for your classes, or polishing your skills? Are you thinking of pursuing a doctorate in Spanish linguistics or Hispanic literatures?

Our Master of Arts in Hispanic studies is based on a philosophy of "culture first" -- that is, language is not separated from the cultural context in which it is used. The MA allows students to develop their linguistic skills in both informal, everyday Spanish and the more formal uses of the language employed in the professional workplace. Students enjoy the opportunity to practice engaged research, learning how to design a hands-on research project they can carry out while working with the Spanish-speaking community in a service-oriented or professional setting. Our students are taught to study language scientifically through the principles of linguistics, as well as to analyze discourse from numerous countries in a wide variety of manifestations ranging from political speeches to musical lyrics to historical texts to film and literature.

ECU Advantage

Access: The first MA program in Spanish/Hispanic studies in the state of North Carolina to become available entirely online, we offer both face-to-face and virtual options. No matter where you are or what your schedule is, we are here for you! Offering online courses since 1997, our faculty have the experience necessary to make distance education work for you.

Innovative Curriculum: Whereas traditional curricula are divided into language, culture and literature courses, our curriculum follows the recommendations of the Modern Language Association, taking a holistic approach with a cultural focus.

Engaged Learning and Research: Ours is the only master's-level program in Spanish/Hispanic studies in the country that offers an engaged learning and research component. Students learn how to design both qualitative and quantitative research projects based on interaction with the Spanish-speaking population in a service-related or professional setting, and they learn how to gain legal approval to do research with human subjects -- a valuable skill set in today's information-driven economy. Interested students may carry out the project for course credit or as a capstone or thesis project.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Almitra Medina (3302 Bate Building; 252-328-2104; medinaa15@ecu.edu)

The Hispanic Studies, MA program provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures and to develop advanced Spanish language skills. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the university. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and evidence of appropriate oral and written language proficiency. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Each entering student is to consult with the director of graduate studies upon admission to the program. At the consultation, the director will review curriculum requirements and options, as well as engaged learning placement opportunities, to design a course of study appropriate for the student's professional, academic, and personal goals and interests.

Minimum degree requirement for the program is 30 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 9 s.h.
  • SPAN 6002 - Humanities Research Methods
  • SPAN 6003 - Applied Research Methods
  • SPAN 6004 - Engaged Field Work
2. Electives - 15-18 s.h.
    a. Choose at least 6 s.h. from the following:
    • SPAN 6010 - Hispanic Cultural Studies
    • SPAN 6020 - Contemporary Issues of the Hispanic World
    • SPAN 6030 - Special Topics in Hispanic Studies
    • SPAN 6521 - Special Readings
    • SPAN 6522 - Special Readings
    • SPAN 6523 - Special Readings
    b. Choose at least 6 s.h. from the following:
    • SPAN 6040 - Current Trends in Hispanic Linguistics
    • SPAN 6050 - Professional Literacies
    • SPAN 6070 - Engaged Research Experience
    • SPAN 6600 - Recent Trends in Foreign Language Teaching, Learning, and Acquisition
3. Options - 3-6 s.h.

(Choose one of the following.)

    Thesis option - 3-6 s.h.
    • SPAN 7000 - Thesis
      • Note:

      The student writes a thesis and presents a seminar based on the thesis research. The thesis proposal and the subsequent thesis must be approved by the student's advisor and committee composed of three Hispanic studies faculty members and an outside reviewer, the department director of graduate studies, and the department chair.

      Non-thesis option - 6 s.h.
      • Additional electives - 6 s.h.
      For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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