The Romance Languages MA degree program is open to native and non-native speakers alike. The program promotes the development of cutting-edge pedagogical practices, all aim at optimal preparation for success in attaining academic and professional goals. The department is committed to providing this training by means of the best facilities and technology available, and by relying on a staff of teachers and scholars with commensurate international experience and expertise. The Romance Languages MA degree program incorporates the following concentrations: French, Spanish, and Romance Languages (the latter combining two Romance languages).
The French Concentration of the Romance Languages MA is designed to provide students with enhanced proficiency in French (for non-native speakers) and intercultural competence relevant to France and other Francophone nations, regions and minorities in an interconnected global context, and to foster the development. The development of analytical skills in relation to French and Francophone literature, culture, and linguistics. The French Concentration has two focused areas of study: literature and culture, and linguistics, each with or without a thesis. Both focused areas of study are open to qualifying Accelerated Master’s Program students who complete their BA while commencing the MA.
The Spanish Concentration of the Romance Languages MA is designed to provide students with enhanced proficiency in Spanish (for non-native speakers) and intercultural competence relevant to the Hispanophone world regions and minorities in an interconnected global context, and to foster the development . The development of analytical skills in relation to Latin American, Latinx and Peninsular Spanish languages, cultures, and linguistics. The Spanish Concentration has two focused areas of study: literature and culture, and linguistics, each with or without a thesis. Both focused areas of study are open to qualifying Accelerated Master’s Program students who complete their BA while commencing the MA.
The Romance Languages MA option combines two Romance languages (typically French and Spanish), with or without a thesis, and is designed to provide students with enhanced proficiency in French and Spanish (for non-native speakers) and intercultural competence relevant to France, Spain and other Francophone and Hispanophone nations, regions and minorities in an interconnected global context, and to foster the development of analytical skills in relation to French, Francophone, Latin American, Latinx, and Peninsular Spanish languages, cultures, and linguistics. Occasional graduate coursework in Italian or Italian studies (usually bearing an RL prefixed to the course number) is available and can be included.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- Writing Sample(s): If pursuing the French Concentration, applicants must submit a French writing sample. If pursuing the Spanish Concentration, applicants must submit a Spanish writing sample. If pursing the Romance Languages option, applicants must submit one writing sample French and one in Spanish. Each writing sample should be about 10 pages in length, double spaced, and the candidate seeking admission will need to demonstrate a commensurate level of proficiency in the target language as well as critical thinking skills.
- Statement of Purpose: The applicant should describe how prior academic experience has prepared them for graduate study in the target language at The University of Alabama (UA) and specify the fields of interest. The statement should indicate how the Modern Languages and Classics (MLC) Department's programs, faculty research, and courses align with the applicant's goals both as a student at UA and after graduation. If the applicant is interested in GTA support, include information on why teaching and pedagogical training during their Graduate program will support their professional goals.
- Video Recording(s) in the target Language: If pursuing the French Concentration, applicants must submit a French video recording. If pursuing the Spanish Concentration, applicants must submit a Spanish video recording. If pursing the Romance Languages option, applicants must submit one video recording in French and one in Spanish. Each video submission should be 3-5 minutes (.mpv4 or .mov format) in which the applicant speaks freely about themselves in a conversational manner in the target language (do not read a prepared text), and then read a paragraph from a target language text of the applicant's choice or a short poem.
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- 3 letters of recommendation
No entrance exam scores are required.
You must submit a copy of your English language proficiency score report at the time of application unless you meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. You hold a degree from an institution in a recognized English-speaking country.
2. You have been enrolled in coursework for at least two years in a recognized English-speaking country.
3. You are a citizen or legal resident of a recognized English-speaking country.
Scores must be fewer than two years old at the time of application. The University of Alabama Graduate School does accept super-scores (such as a TOEFL MyBest™ score). Official English language proficiency scores, which must be sent directly from the testing agency to The Graduate School, will not be required until after admission.
Minimum Scores for Regular Admission
- TOEFL ≥ 79.
- IELTS ≥ 6.5.
- PTE ≥ 59.
- Duolingo English Test ≥ 110.
Recognized English-speaking Countries
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada (except Quebec)
Cayman Islands Lesotho
Christmas Islands
Cook Islands
Dominica
Falkland Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Hong Kong
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Liberia
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sandwich Islands
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa (English-speaking, i.e. not Afrikaans)
South Georgia Islands
Swaziland
Tanzania
The Gambia
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States
U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John)
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Conditional Language Admission
If your language test score does not meet the minimum requirements, you may still be considered for conditional language admission.
Conditionally admitted students must complete the UA English Language Institute’s (ELI) Intensive English Program with a 3.0 GPA in levels four, five and six, or meet the English language proficiency test score requirements listed above, before becoming eligible for UA-based financial support.
Applications for both full-time and part-time status are welcome. All applicants seeking full-time student status are considered for financial support in the form of a graduate teaching assistantship.
Current UA undergraduate students applying to the AMP, MA, or PhD with an MA en-route, as well as those current UA MA students applying for the doctoral program are exempt of presenting a writing sample, letters of recommendation, and official academic transcript.
For applicants with insufficient undergraduate preparation, admission may be contingent upon completion of designated undergraduate requirements. Qualified students with an appropriate undergraduate degree may be admitted directly to the PhD with MA en-route program in Romance Languages . In such circumstances completion of all requirements for the PhD with MA en-route program will be a prerequisite for completion of the Doctoral degree.
When available, we offer teaching assistantships to qualified full-time MA and PhD candidates. Assistantships include a stipend paid over nine months, a tuition waiver and health insurance. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be eligible for fellowships or enhanced assistantships.
While we have rolling year-round admissions, priority is given to students who apply by November 30.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
The Romance Languages degree program is available in a variety of configurations; two concentrations: French and Spanish, and the MA in Romance Languages without a concentration and combining two Romance languages (for example, Spanish and French). Each configuration can incorporate either of the two focused areas of study:
- Linguistics
- Literature/Culture
All focused areas of study include a comprehensive exam. However, the configuration of the exam is specific to each area of study, as indicated below. Regardless of the concentration or area of study, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll into the Practicum in Applied Linguistics (RL 501 Practicum in App Ling).
All nonthesis areas of study of the Master of Arts in Romance languages include a core of six courses in the six areas listed below:
- Teaching Practicum
- Topics in Linguistics
- Research Methodology: Critical Theory/ Qualitative or Quantitative methods in Linguistics
- Topics in Culture and Civilization
- Graduate Seminar
- Special Topics/Directed Readings
Concentration in French
The French concentration of the Romance Languages, MA has two focused areas of study: the literature and culture area of study and the linguistics area of study, each with or without a thesis. Both focused areas of study are open to qualifying Accelerated Masters’ Program students who complete their BA while commencing the MA.
All focused areas of study include a comprehensive exam. However, the configuration of the exam is specific to each area of study, as indicated below. Regardless of the area of study, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll into RL 501 Practicum in App Ling.
Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours, with 27 hours of coursework (12 in the Core, 6 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics) and a thesis. Three credits in one of the Literature or Linguistics areas will be completed through the thesis: the area is depending on the focus of the thesis.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Literature | 6 | |
| Early Modern (Choose one) | ||
| French Renaissance Poetry | ||
| French Renaissance Prose | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit I | ||
| 18th-Century French Literature | ||
| 18th Cent Philosophe Mvt | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit II | ||
| Modern Metropolitan (Choose one) | ||
| Spec Top 19th Cent French Lit | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| 20th-Century French Novel | ||
| 20th-21st FR Lit Sp Topics | ||
| French Cinema | ||
| Francophone Studies (Choose one) | ||
| Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Democracy and France | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| Quebecois Lit & Culture | ||
| Writing Immigration | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| French Linguistics | ||
| Research Methods Course (Choose one) | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Ling | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics Elective (Choose one) | ||
| Research Methodology | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Pronunciation & Phonetics | ||
| French-English Translation | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
French Linguistics - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours, with 27 hours of coursework and a thesis. In addition to the thesis, the linguistics focused area of study involves two components: language and linguistics. The language component consists of 15 hours of course credit in French language, literature, and/or culture.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Linguistics | 6 | |
| FR 561 | French Linguistics | 3 |
| Research Methods Course (Choose one) | 3 | |
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Ling | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics Elective (Choose one) | 3 | |
| Research Methodology | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Pronunciation & Phonetics | ||
| French-English Translation | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study Non-Thesis
This focused area of study requires 33 hours of coursework with 30 hours of coursework and 3 hours of an elective course in the target language. All core courses are required.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Literature | 9 | |
| Early Modern (Choose one) | ||
| French Renaissance Poetry | ||
| French Renaissance Prose | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit I | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit II | ||
| 18th-Century French Literature | ||
| 18th Cent Philosophe Mvt | ||
| Modern Metropolitan (Choose one) | ||
| Spec Top 19th Cent French Lit | ||
| 20th and 21st Centuries (Choose one) | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| 20th-Century French Novel | ||
| 20th-21st FR Lit Sp Topics | ||
| French Cinema | ||
| Francophone Studies (Choose one) | ||
| Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Democracy and France | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| Quebecois Lit & Culture | ||
| Writing Immigration | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| French Linguistics | ||
| Research Methodology (Choose one) | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Ling | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics Elective (Choose one) | ||
| Research Methodology | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Pronunciation & Phonetics | ||
| French-English Translation | ||
| Elective courses to be chosen with advisor's approval. The elective must be in the target language. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
French Linguistics - Focused Area of Study Non-Thesis
This focused area of study requires 33 hours of coursework with 30 hours of coursework and 3 hours of an elective course in the target language. All core courses are required.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| French Linguistics | ||
| Research Methods Course (Choose one) | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Ling | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics Elective (Choose one) | ||
| Research Methodology | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Pronunciation & Phonetics | ||
| French-English Translation | ||
| Literature | 9 | |
| Early Modern (Choose one) | ||
| French Renaissance Poetry | ||
| French Renaissance Prose | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit I | ||
| 17th Cent French Lit II | ||
| 18th-Century French Literature | ||
| 18th Cent Philosophe Mvt | ||
| Modern Metropolitan (Choose one) | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| Spec Top 19th Cent French Lit | ||
| 20th-Century French Novel | ||
| 20th-21st FR Lit Sp Topics | ||
| Francophone Studies (Choose one) | ||
| Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Democracy and France | ||
| Bande Dessinée | ||
| Quebecois Lit & Culture | ||
| Writing Immigration | ||
| Elective courses to be chosen with advisor's approval. The elective course must be taken in the target language. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Concentration in Spanish
The Spanish concentration of the Romance Languages, MA has two focused areas of study: the literature and culture area of study and the linguistics area of study, each with or without a thesis. Both focused areas of study are open to qualifying Accelerated Masters’ Program students who complete their BA while commencing the MA.
Masters’ Program students who complete their BA while commencing the MA.
All focused areas of study include a comprehensive exam. However, the configuration of the exam is specific to each area of study, as indicated below. Regardless of the area of study, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll into the Practicum in Applied Linguistics (RL 501).
Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours, with 27 hours of coursework (12 in the Core, 6 in Literature/Culture, 9 in Linguistics) and a thesis. Three credits in one of the Literature or Linguistics areas will be completed through the thesis: the area is depending on the focus of the thesis.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Literature/Culture | 6 | |
| At least one course must be in Latin American/US Latino and one in Peninsular, | ||
| Thematic courses: These may apply to either Latin American or Peninsular, depending on focus of the specific course | ||
| Spanish Women Authors | ||
| Violence in Hispanic Works (may count as peninsular or Latin American) | ||
| Honor in Hispanic Societies | ||
| Hispanic Autobiography | ||
| Peninsular | ||
| 19th-Century Spanish Prose | ||
| 20th C Span Novel Post Civil W | ||
| Historical Memory in Spain | ||
| Contemporary Iberian Culture | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| 16th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| 17th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| Latin American/US Latino | ||
| Span Amer Colonial Texts | ||
| 19th C Span Amer Lit | ||
| Spanish American Short Story | ||
| LatAm Environmental Humanities | ||
| Mexican Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean Lits & Cultures | ||
| US Latino Lits & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean South/North | ||
| Sem Spanish-American Lit (Any relevant topic) | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| At least one course in each area | ||
| Intro Spanish Linguistcs | ||
| Research Methodology | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods Span Ling | ||
| Bilingualism Research Methods | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics elective. It must be taken in the target language | ||
| Special Topics Spanish Ling (Lniguistics electuve. It must be taken in the target language) | ||
| Spanishes in the Public Sphere | ||
| Spanish in Contact | ||
| Code-switching | ||
| Seminar Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Syntax | ||
| Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Phonetics and Dialectology | ||
| History of Spanish Language | ||
| Pragmatics | ||
| Dialectology | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
The curriculum must include either a course in critical theory or a literature course designated as theory enriched. In consultation with the Spanish graduate advisor, each student must also select a special area of interest in Hispanic literature in order to write the thesis. Six hours of SP 599 Thesis Research with the thesis director are required beyond the 24 hours of coursework. It is the student’s responsibility to keep syllabi from each course on file for reference.
Spanish Linguistics - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours, with 27 hours of coursework (12 in the Core, 9 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics) and a thesis. Three credits in one of the Literature or Linguistics areas will be completed through the thesis: the area is depending on the focus of the thesis.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Linguistics Component | 6 | |
| At least one course in each area | ||
| Intro Spanish Linguistcs | ||
| Research Methods Course | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods Span Ling | ||
| Bilingualism Research Methods | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics elective. It must be taken in the target language | ||
| Special Topics Spanish Ling | ||
| Spanishes in the Public Sphere | ||
| Spanish in Contact | ||
| Code-switching | ||
| Seminar Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Syntax | ||
| Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Phonetics and Dialectology | ||
| History of Spanish Language | ||
| Pragmatics | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Dialectology | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Literature/Culture | 9 | |
| At least one course must be in Latin American/US Latino and one in Peninsular. | ||
| Thematic courses: These may apply to either Latin American or Peninsular, depending on focus of the specific course | ||
| Spanish Women Authors | ||
| Violence in Hispanic Works | ||
| Honor in Hispanic Societies | ||
| Hispanic Autobiography | ||
| Peninsular | ||
| 19th-Century Spanish Prose | ||
| 20th C Span Novel Post Civil W | ||
| Historical Memory in Spain | ||
| Contemporary Iberian Culture | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| 16th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| 17th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| Latin American/US Latino | ||
| Span Amer Colonial Texts | ||
| 19th C Span Amer Lit | ||
| Spanish American Short Story | ||
| LatAm Environmental Humanities | ||
| Mexican Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean Lits & Cultures | ||
| US Latino Lits & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean South/North | ||
| Sem Spanish-American Lit | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study Non-Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours (12 in the Core, 9 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics, 3 Electives)
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Literature/Culture | 9 | |
| At least one course must be in Latin American/US Latino and one in Peninsular. | ||
| Thematic courses: These may apply to either Latin American or Peninsular, depending on focus of the specific course | ||
| Spanish Women Authors | ||
| Violence in Hispanic Works | ||
| Honor in Hispanic Societies | ||
| Hispanic Autobiography | ||
| Peninsular | ||
| 19th-Century Spanish Prose | ||
| 20th C Span Novel Post Civil W | ||
| Historical Memory in Spain | ||
| Contemporary Iberian Culture | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| 16th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| 17th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| Latin American/US Latino | ||
| Span Amer Colonial Texts | ||
| 19th C Span Amer Lit | ||
| Spanish American Short Story | ||
| LatAm Environmental Humanities | ||
| Mexican Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean Lits & Cultures | ||
| US Latino Lits & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean South/North | ||
| Sem Spanish-American Lit (Any relevant topic) | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| At least one course in each area | ||
| Intro Spanish Linguistcs | ||
| Research Methods Course | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods Span Ling | ||
| Bilingualism Research Methods | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics elective. It must be taken in the target language | ||
| Special Topics Spanish Ling | ||
| Spanishes in the Public Sphere | ||
| Spanish in Contact | ||
| Code-switching | ||
| Seminar Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Syntax | ||
| Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Phonetics and Dialectology | ||
| History of Spanish Language | ||
SP 586 or | Pragmatics | |
| Pragmatics | ||
| Dialectology | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Any SP or RL courses in Literature with the provision that the candidate's final research project for the RL courses must be related to a Spanish or Hispanic topic. | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Spanish Linguistics - Focused Area of Study Non-Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours (12 in the Core, 9 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics, 3 Electives)
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Linguistics | 9 | |
| At least one course in each area | ||
| Intro Spanish Linguistcs | ||
| Research Methods Course | ||
| Qual Methds/Applied Ling Res | ||
| Quantitative Methods Span Ling | ||
| Bilingualism Research Methods | ||
| Bilingualism | ||
| Linguistics elective. It must be taken in the target language | ||
| Special Topics Spanish Ling | ||
| Spanishes in the Public Sphere | ||
| Spanish in Contact | ||
| Code-switching | ||
| Seminar Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Topics 2nd Lang Acquistn | ||
| Syntax | ||
| Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Phonetics and Dialectology | ||
| History of Spanish Language | ||
SP 586 or | Pragmatics | |
| Pragmatics | ||
| Dialectology | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Literature/Culture | 9 | |
| At least one course must be in Latin American/US Latino and one in Peninsular. | ||
| Thematic courses: These may apply to either Latin American or Peninsular, depending on focus of the specific course | ||
| Spanish Women Authors | ||
| Violence in Hispanic Works | ||
| Honor in Hispanic Societies | ||
| Hispanic Autobiography | ||
| Peninsular | ||
| 19th-Century Spanish Prose | ||
| 20th C Span Novel Post Civil W | ||
| Historical Memory in Spain | ||
| Contemporary Iberian Culture | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| 16th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| 17th C Peninsular Lit | ||
| Latin American/US Latino | ||
| Span Amer Colonial Texts | ||
| 19th C Span Amer Lit | ||
| Spanish American Short Story | ||
| LatAm Environmental Humanities | ||
| Mexican Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean Lits & Cultures | ||
| US Latino Lits & Cultures | ||
| Caribbean South/North | ||
| Sem Spanish-American Lit | ||
| Elective Courses | 3 | |
| Any SP or RL courses in Linguistics with the provision that the candidate's final research project for the RL courses must be related to a Spanish or Hispanic topic. | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Some courses can be counted as either language or linguistics, depending upon the candidate's programmatic needs. For example, a candidate with a focus on Spanish with linguistics can count a course in Spanish linguistics under the language category or under the linguistics category in order to free up additional hours in the category that best serves the candidate's programmatic needs.
Romance Languages without a Concentration - combination of Romance Languages
It combines Romance Languages and incorporates two focused areas of study: the literature/culture area of study and the linguistics area of study, each with or without a thesis.
Romance Languages without a Concentration (combination of Romance Languages) with a Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours, with 27 hours of coursework (12 in the Core, 6 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics) and a thesis. Three credits in one of the Literature or Linguistics areas will be completed through the thesis: the area is depending on the focus of the thesis. Thesis must have a focus on the primary language.
This curriculum requires study of at least two Romance languages, one as the primary and one as the secondary. A minimum of 9 hours (three courses) must be taken in the primary language. A minimum of 6 hours (two courses) must be taken in the secondary language
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Primary Language (minimum) | 9 | |
| Secondary Language (minimum) | 6 | |
| If the focus is linguistics, course selection must include: | ||
Research Methodology course - Three Hours | ||
Quantitative or Qualitative course - if focus is linguistics | ||
| If the candidate is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in either French or Spanish, then the candidate must accumulate no fewer than 18 hours in the respective language during the first two semesters of enrollment. | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Romance Languages without a Concentration (combination of Romance Languages) Non-Thesis
This focused area of study requires a total of 33 hours (12 in the Core, 9 in Literature, 9 in Linguistics, 3 in Electives).
This curriculum requires study of at least two Romance languages, one as the primary and one as the secondary. The primary component includes a minimum of 9 hours (three courses). The secondary component includes a minimum of 6 hours (two courses).
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RL Core | 12 | |
| Practicum in App Ling | ||
| Introduction to Profession | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Primary Language (minimum) | 12 | |
| Secondary Language (minimum) | 9 | |
| If the focus is linguistics, course selection must include: | ||
Research Methodology course - 3 hours | ||
Quantitative or Qualitative course - 3 hours | ||
| If the candidate is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in either French or Spanish, then the candidate must accumulate no fewer than 18 hours in the respective language during the first two semesters of enrollment. | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exam
French Concentration: Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis and Non-Thesis
For the literature/culture focused area of study, candidates must pass a comprehensive examination based on their coursework in the five fields of study. However, for the written component of the exam, students may be exempted from examination in a maximum of two fields (and earn an automatic "pass" in those fields) in two ways: either by writing a research paper in the field and presenting it at a professional conference or by satisfactorily completing two courses in the field, earning a grade of "A" or "B." Success on the written component precedes the oral component of the exam, which involves generating an oral presentation on a topic indicated in advance.
French Linguistics - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis and Non-Thesis
For the linguistics focused area of study, the comprehensive examination is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (one for RL 501, one pertaining to linguistics, one pertaining to French linguistics, and three pertaining to electives).
Spanish Concentration: Literature and Culture - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis and Non-Thesis
For the literature/culture focus area of study, the six-part written examination will be based both on coursework and a reading list in each area. Candidates are required to take exams in the following areas: either three Peninsular areas (of the student's choosing) and two Latin American areas (of the student's choosing) or vice versa, and one area of linguistics.
It is important that the candidate keep an archive of the course syllabi of every course taken. Should the candidate, for any reason, not take a course in one of the assigned areas, he/she will have to make up for this omission by supplying appropriate selections from the Reading List for the Master of Arts in Spanish. Please check the Spanish Literature MA reading list (PDF) for a detailed description of the selections for each area.
Spanish Linguistics - Focused Area of Study with a Thesis and Non-Thesis
For the linguistics focus area of study, the written examination will be based on coursework. Candidates are required to take exams in the following areas: RL 501 and an elective, Spanish language and linguistics, and literature. From the selection of questions provided in each area, the candidate must generate six written answers.
Romance Languages, without a concentration - Combination of Romance Languages with a Thesis and Non-Thesis
From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (four pertaining to the primary main language and two pertaining to the secondary language; however, if the candidate has 18 or more hours in both French and Spanish, then the candidate will generate three written answers for each).
General scheduling and assessment of the written MA Comprehensive Examination
For all plans and areas of the MA in Romance Languages degree program, typically, there are three exam days, with two exam sessions each day, spread out over the course of a week. Each exam day lasts 3 hours, divided into two sessions. During each exam session, the examinee writes answers to one question. A typical sequence for taking the exam would follow this schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 3 hours each. After evaluating the written answers, the professor in each area of specialization decides if the candidate passes his/her question. In order to pass the entire exam, a candidate must earn a pass in five of the six areas. Should the candidate fail more than two areas, he/she will have one final opportunity to repeat the failed areas, normally in the following semester (without expectation of renewed support in the form of an assistantship). Should the candidate fail in two areas, normally he/she must repeat both areas two weeks later. Should the candidate pass both repeated areas or fail in only one of the two repeated areas, then the candidate will earn a pass on the overall exam. Should the candidate fail both repeated areas, then he/she has one final opportunity to retake the failed exams, normally the following semester (without expectation of renewed support in the form of an assistantship).
Plan I - Thesis Process Requirements
A thesis evidencing research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret materials is required of all master's degree candidates who pursue Plan I. The subject chosen must be in the major field and must be approved by the graduate committee of the major department or school and by the head of the candidate's major department or division.
A thesis committee must consist of at least three members appointed by the dean of the Graduate School. Candidates set up their committee through the Graduate Academic Activities portal on the Graduate School website. The request normally is made as soon as the successful defense of the thesis proposal has been completed. All members of a thesis committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty. The Committee Chair must be a full or associate member of the Graduate Faculty. One member must be from outside the candidate's major department. The majority of the thesis committee must be full-time regular University of Alabama faculty. If the outside member is not a full or associate member of the UA Graduate Faculty (e.g., a highly qualified person from another university, a business, or industry), the graduate dean needs to appoint that member by approving Affiliate Graduate Faculty status for the specific purpose of serving on the candidate's thesis committee. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances meriting approval by the graduate dean before the final oral defense of the thesis, all members of the thesis committee must attend the defense.
The candidate must give members of the examining committee a minimum of two weeks to read the thesis before the date of the final oral examination. All members must agree that the candidate is ready for the final oral thesis defense. A final oral thesis defense is required of all candidates completing a thesis. All members of the thesis committee must be members of the UA graduate faculty and must attend the final oral thesis defense unless there are extraordinary circumstances warranting the graduate dean's approval of the absence prior to the defense meeting.
The final oral thesis defense is the culminating experience in the master’s program. As such, all members of the thesis committee are expected to attend and participate in real time. Virtual attendance via interactive video or teleconference is permitted for off-campus external committee members, but the student and Tuscaloosa campus faculty should attend in person unless extraordinary circumstances dictate the need for virtual attendance. In circumstances where virtual participation is necessary, all participants must follow the Virtual Participation guidelines found in this catalog.
Plan II - Non-Thesis Process Requirements
For the literature and culture focused areas of study a minimum of 30 hours are required. For the linguistics focused areas of study a minimum of 36 credit hours are required. Candidates in both areas are required to take the Comprehensive exams in their last semester in the program.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirement
Graduate School information on Student Progress.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Information for the Application for Graduation.
Acquisition of Financial Support:
Students in good standing in the Romance Languages MA program are normally supported by funding in the form of either a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) funded by the Department, or a fellowship. The GTA funding is usually .5 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) that carries a 9-month stipend determined by the University on an annual basis. The GTA also provides a stipend, benefits, and paid tuition and fees. On occasion, the Department will split a .5 FTE GTA into two .25 FTE GTAs, which then pay a 9-month stipend, and half the rate established for a .5 FTE GTA, plus 50% of tuition and 50% of the cost of health insurance. Students holding a .5 FTE GTA must maintain a full-time student status (via registering for a minimum of 6 credit hours of graduate study per semester. GTAs are assigned duties by the Department.
Financial support is guaranteed through the first two years in the program for all MA students who meet performance expectations and who do not meet any Conditions for Termination of Financial Support (see below). Students will be informed of impending financial support termination at least one semester prior to the support termination date except in the special cases noted under Conditions for Termination of Financial Support.
Fellowship Nominations:
Eligible students who excel in the program may be nominated by the Department for UA fellowships. Nominees are selected by Graduate Committee vote based upon prospective nominee research productivity, academic performance, and contributions to the Department. Fellowship recipients are guaranteed paid tuition and fees, a stipend, and benefits at least commensurate with those provided through GTA support and terms and conditions depend on the rules stipulated by the fellowship they receive.
Performance Expectations for Continuing Financial Support:
- The student must be in good academic standing in the Romance Languages MA program.
- The student must remain clear of all infractions outlined under Conditions for Termination of Financial Support
- The student must complete all mandatory annual training and meetings and abide by all rules and policies held by The University of Alabama, The UA Barefield College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Modern Languages and Classics, and the corresponding language section (French and/or Spanish).
- Graduate teaching assistants must adequately perform all duties assigned to them in a timely manner as defined by the instructor of record or their designee for all courses to which the student is assigned teaching, grading, and/or shadowing.
- Student must be an active academic citizen in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics.
Conditions for Termination of Financial Support:
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria will be subject to termination of financial support pending Department of Modern Languages and Classics administrative review. Depending upon the severity of the infraction or the extent of non-compliance, the Department Chair and Graduate Director—with input from the Graduate Committee and Language Program Director—will recommend immediate termination of financial support, termination of financial support at the end of the current semester, or termination of financial support (partial or full) at the end of the following semester.
- Dereliction of duty. Dereliction of duty includes but is not limited to: failure to comply with all UA safety and interpersonal conduct policies; absence from scheduled obligations without prior notification to the Chair of the Department, the Graduate Director, or the Language Program Director; or failure to satisfactorily complete all activities associated with the funded position as defined by the Chair of the Department or designee (for teaching assistants) and the student’s departmental memorandum of appointment.
- Resolved finding of Academic Misconduct. Penalties, including potential loss of financial support, will be determined with guidance from the UA Graduate School and/or the UA Barefield College of Arts and Sciences.
- Loss of good academic standing. Students not in good academic standing have one probationary academic semester after notification of their change in academic status to return to good academic standing—with the non-passing grade exception noted below. Financial support will be terminated if good academic standing is not restored by the end of the probationary academic semester. Students who earn more than two grades of ‘C’ or at least one grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ in graduate courses will have a compulsory academic performance review by the Graduate Committee. This review will determine whether the student should continue to receive financial support and/or be dismissed from the program at the end of the semester in which the non-passing grade is earned or at the end of the following semester. A decision will be rendered prior to the end of the semester in which a third ‘C’ and/or a ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade is reported.
- Delinquent Annual Review. Students who neglect to complete the required annual review of activities in the fields of coursework, research, and academic citizenship are no longer in good academic standing. Students who are delinquent in completing any annual review have one probationary academic semester to satisfy the corresponding review requirement without penalty. Failure to satisfy the corresponding annual committee meeting requirement within the probationary academic semester will prompt Department Chair and Graduate Director review for termination of financial support and Graduate Committee review for possible dismissal from the graduate program.
- Insufficient continuous research progress. The thesis committee and/or the Graduate Committee (depending on the student following Plan I or Plan II in their MA studies) determines by majority vote if a student is making adequate progress commensurate with their time in the program during required annual reviews. If the committee determines the student is not making adequate research progress, the student will be granted one probationary semester (i.e., academic semester or full summer term) with financial support to remedy productivity deficiencies, as assessed by the committee. Failure to meet minimum research expectations by the end of the probationary semester will result in immediate termination of financial support and may prompt dismissal from the program relegation, at the discretion of the Graduate Director and Department Chair.