Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: the M.A. in Spanish at CSULB

1. What do your graduates do?

Answer: We are proud to have numerous students who are local high school teachers or are finishing their credential and plan to be teachers. We also have students who are: translators, interpreters, journalists, educational staff, community college instructors, non-profit coordinators, events coordinators, and publicists.

2. Do I have to apply to the university if I am already a student here?

Answer: Yes. You must apply via csumentor.edu to be accepted into the M.A. program in Spanish. This applies to credential students, undergraduates, and all students who currently study at CSULB in a program other than the M.A. in Spanish.

3. What if I have not taken all the pre-requisites for the M.A.?

Answer: We do sometimes accept strong students who have 3.0 gpa and have taken some but not all of the pre-requisites. In these cases, students are accepted only provisionally and must complete the undergraduate pre-requisites before proceeding to graduate work.

4. Can I specialize in your program?

Answer: All students admitted in 2009 and beyond fall under the revised M.A. program that encompasses the following requirements: SPAN650 + 2 courses in linguistics + 2 courses in Latin American + 2 courses in Peninsular/Spanish + 3 electives. This scheme does not allow for specialization, per se, but does allow flexibility within the electives for students to take courses of their choosing.

5. What is the Research Methods course and how does it help me?

Answer: SPAN650 prepares students for M.A. level work in literary and cultural studies. It is required in the first semester. The course covers basic research and critical methods and also discusses such important items as preparation for the M.A. exam.

6. How long does it take to complete the program?

Answer: If you take classes full-time and work as a teaching associate in the program, it is feasible to do the work in two years, taking the exam in August of the second year after you complete coursework in May, for example. Most students take classes part time, however, and therefore time to completion, on average, is approximately 3.5 years.

7. What are the deadlines for the Spanish MA application?

Answer: The deadline for Spring is November 1st The deadline for Fall is June 1st.