Graduate
Degree Programs
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish (M.A.T.)
General Description
The graduate program in Spanish has been designed specifically for teachers or future teachers of Spanish. It offers graduate-level course work in the Spanish language, Hispanic cultures, teaching methodology, applied linguistics and Hispanic art and literature. It provides for the professional development of Spanish teachers through the improvement of their language and teaching skills, and it aims toward career advancement. Graduates of the program will in turn contribute to better teaching of Spanish in schools, improving the language skills and the cultural awareness of students who study Spanish.
Main Objectives
The course of study for the program is intended to equip students with knowledge of theories of second language acquisition and effective methods of teaching, as well as the main cultural manifestations of the language in literature. Students will understand the relationship between language and society in the Spanish-speaking world and the connections between language studies (language, literature, culture and translation/interpreting) with other disciplines, and they will be able to apply the knowledge of the language system and culture to function effectively as teaching professionals. For more detailed objectives click here.
Design
The degree program consists of 36 credit hours of which 30 must be completed in residence at IUPUI. The Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish may be completed in four semesters at IUPUI or three semesters and two summer sessions. M.A. students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B). Only students taking advantage of the summer program in Salamanca (Summer Institute for Teachers of Spanish) can complete and transfer up to 12 credit hours (6 credits per summer) towards the degree. Any other students interested in transferring credits (6 maximum) from other institutions should keep in mind that this is acceptable as long as the contents of those courses are equivalent to any of the courses offered in the MAT, and prior approval by the Graduate Studies Committee. See course offerings here.
Core Required Courses (9 cr.)
- SPAN S515 Acquisition of Spanish as a Second Language (3 cr.)
- SPAN S517 Methods of Teaching College Spanish (3 cr.)
- SPAN S519 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish (3 cr.)
Elective Coursework (27 cr.)
Choose at least 27 credits in consultation with a faculty advisor. See list of courses here.
Students may select from the following options for the course of study:
Thesis Option: Includes 30 hours of coursework plus a Master's Thesis (6 credit hours).
Coursework Option: Requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
Study Abroad Option: Students may complete one or two summers at the University of Salamanca, Spain. Students who complete a summer study in Salamanca receive a Certificate from the University of Salamanca attesting to their completion of the summer program(s) in residence there. The University of Salamanca has a well-developed curriculum for foreign students who aspire to teach Spanish, and its Cursos para Profesores receives a high level of academic prestige internationally. Other study abroad credit must be approved by the graduate director.
Teacher Certificate Option: This option combines the M.A.T. with teacher certification through the IU School of Education and their "T2T" ("Transition to Teaching") Program. Students enrolled in this option develop a professional teaching portfolio and prepare for a career as a teacher in Indiana public schools. It consists of 47 graduate credit hours including additional courses and field work.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the student’s undergraduate major. Undergraduate degree in Spanish is expected, but related degrees are also considered (additional undergraduate courses may be required).
- Official transcript.
- Proficiency in the Spanish language. There are two options:
- Nivel Intermedio (B2) in the Diploma in Spanish (DELE) issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.
- OR applicant’s oral sample of 10-15 minutes of spontaneous speech in Spanish AND an essay in Spanish on some aspect of Spanish culture, literature, linguistics, or pedagogy.
- Three letters of recommendation. At least two of these should be from professors.
- For international students, the university requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper version, or 213 on the computer-based test. Send scores to Institution Code 1325, Department Code 2608. Students who do not achieve this score may be admitted to the university conditionally and may be required to take English as a Second Language courses through the Department of English. While taking these courses they will be allowed to register for a maximum of six credit hours in the Master of Arts for Teachers of Spanish. If admitted, international students will also be required to take IUPUI’s ESL Placement exam before registering for the first semester.
- Please note: While the GRE is not necessary for admission to the Master of Arts for Teachers Program in Spanish, it is required for application to certain financial aid programs. (See “Financial Assistance” below.)
6. Online application. Please access the online portion of the application.
- Please note: Under Educational Objectives you must choose "Master's" as your type of admission, "Spanish (IU Graduate School)" as your academic program, and "Spanish M.A.T." as your major. Please also note that if you have already submitted an online application for Graduate Non-Degree status or for another graduate program, you must still complete a new online application for this program using a new personal identification number (PIN) and password and submit an additional application fee.
