Graduate

In addition to the traditional Masters and Ph.D. programs, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Purdue offers a non-degree option that helps students complete professional requirements, develop new knowledge and skills, or explore graduate school options. 

Masters Degree

The academic strength of the program at the MA level rests on a number of tracks toward the degree. The student may opt for the Peninsular and Spanish American literature track, the general Spanish linguistics track, the applied Spanish linguistics track, the teaching of Spanish track, or a Latin American track that includes courses in Spanish American literature or linguistics, Latin American culture and Brazilian literature in the original language. Each MA degree requires 30 hours of course work (nine of which should be at the 600 level), a series of written examinations, and an oral examination. A master's thesis is optional for most programs.

Peninsular and Spanish American literature

This program requires between 21 and 24 hours of coursework in Spanish, including SPAN 630 (Bibliography and Literary Theory). These courses typically are in Peninsular literature and Spanish American literature. Another six to nine hours belong to a related area of the student's interest. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the student's committee, and may be in other departments.

Latin American literatures and cultures

Students in this program take at least 12 hours in Hispanic literature or culture, including SPAN 630 (Bibliography and Literary Theory), SPAN 682 (Latin American Culture) They may have up to six hours in linguistics or semiotics. Six to nine hours are required in Brazilian literature, usually after the student has taken PTGS 105 (Accelerated Portuguese). Three hours in the related area may a Latin American course from another department.

Doctoral Degree

The doctoral degree requires 30 hours of regular course work beyond the Master's degree, plus registration for thesis research. In addition, students must take written preliminary examinations and write a doctoral thesis. The Ph.D. requires reading knowledge in two foreign languages besides the major language.

In Hispanic literature, the student normally specializes in Peninsular or Spanish American literature, and is encouraged to develop a specialty in a literary genre as well. Course work and exams provide for a related area, which could be literature in another language, a related discipline such as philosophy or history, or an area in literary theory.

Students may earn a Ph.D. in Spanish linguistics in this department and typically supplement their coursework by taking classes in the interdepartmental program in linguistics as well as other departments which offer graduate level courses in linguistics.

Please be sure to check all of the requirements not only for Spanish, but also for SLC and the Graduate School. Links can be found by clicking here.