Graduate Studies FAQs
Advising
I am interested in an advanced degree in Spanish. Where do I start?
Who is the graduate coordinator?
I applied and was accepted to the Spanish MA program several years ago; however I haven’t taken classes in years. What do I need to do?
Is it possible to complete the Spanish MA and another degree concurrently?
Classes
How do I make my course selections?
I don’t see the 800-level courses in the printed Schedule of Courses. Where do I find them?
The 800-level classes do not have meeting days and times. How do I find this information?
Can I take a literature or civilization course at the 500/600 level instead of the 800 level?
What is the difference between the 500/600 and the 800 level classes?
I am having problems enrolling online in an 800 level class. What do I do?
What is SPAN 805? When can I take it?
Graduation and Examinations
What steps do I need to take to graduate?
What are the MA Examinations?
I am a GTA and have completed my 32 hours to graduate. I still have to take my MA Exams and I want to teach: do I need to enroll in classes?
Other
« Back to Master of Arts in Spanish
Advising
I am interested in an advanced degree in Spanish. Where do I start?
Contact the MCLL Graduate Coordinator.
Who is the graduate coordinator?
Currently, the graduate coordinator is Dr. Rocio del Águila.
I applied and was accepted to the MA Spanish program several years ago; however I haven’t taken classes in years. What do I need to do?
First, check your admission date. If ten years have passed, you will need to reapply to the program. Second, check your completed courses. Courses that were completed more than 6 years ago need to be validated before they count toward a degree. Courses that were completed more than 10 years ago cannot be validated. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for more details on the validation process.
Is it possible to complete the Spanish MA and another degree concurrently?
Yes. However you cannot be a student in two programs at the same time. Make sure you contact the Graduate Coordinator for details
Classes
How do I make my course selections?
Consult the WSU Schedule of Courses, and make your selections. Then, consult with the Graduate Coordinator. As a general rule, use the opportunity to take a survey course whenever the course is offered: your graduation plans may change and you might miss its next rotation.
I don’t see the 800-level courses in the printed Schedule of Courses. Where do I find them?
Sometimes the printed version of the Schedule of Courses does not contain the graduate classes. Try looking them up online.
The 800-level classes do not have meeting days and times. How do I find this information?
Almost all 800-level classes are taught in conjunction with a 500/600 level class. Look the class up by the name of the professor. The information listed for the 500/600 level class is relevant for the 800 level as well.
Can I take a literature or civilization course at the 500/600 level instead of the 800 level?
Yes. However, you will be required to do extra work.
What is the difference between the 500/600 and the 800 level classes?
As a graduate student you will be required to do extra work and will have a different research requirement than the undergraduate students. At the 800 level, you can expect an extended/specialized list of readings, additional theory, between 3-5 additional meetings, and different requirements for presentation and writing assignments.Requirements will vary per course, please see the course instructor/course syllabi for details.
You should also make sure you achieve the minimum credit hours at the 700/800 level. Click here to see the graduate degree requirements.
I am having problems enrolling online in an 800 level class. What do I do?
This happens because of the restrictions placed on graduate courses. Contact the MCLL office staff (305 Jardine Hall, 316-978-3180) and identify yourself as a graduate student. You will then be walked through the enrollment process.
What is SPAN 805? When can I take it?
SPAN 805 is a directed readings course. It gives the student an opportunity to work on specific areas/works with additional guidance. You may take 1-4 credit hours of SPAN 805 with one professor. It is possible to take various SPAN 805 courses with different professors for different credit hours (for example, 2 credits of SPAN 805 in Peninsular novel + 1 credit in Latin American short story).
Generally, five (5) readings are required to fulfill the requirements for 1 credit hour of SPAN 805; a "reading" can be a long poem or a collection of poems; a novella or an average-length novel; a long essay or a collection of essays; a long story or a collection of stories. Please note that:
- Not all faculty may be available to offer SPAN 805—you will need to make a personalized request;
- Precedence is given to regular courses. If a teacher is offering a class that covers the works you want to discuss during the semester, you'll be advised to take the regular class;
- Unless there are special circumstances, it is not recommended to request a SPAN 805 course before completing the first two semesters of graduate work;
Although you may take unlimited hours of SPAN 805, no more than 6 credits of this Directed Readings course will count towards your degree.
Graduation and Examinations
What steps do I need to take to graduate?
- Set up an appointment with the Graduate Coordinator the semester prior to graduation
- Fill out a Plan of Study and submit it to the Graduate School office no later than the 20th day of the semester of graduation.
- Fill out an Application for Degree with the Graduate School. The deadline is the 20th day of classes during the fall or spring semesters.
- Complete Oral Interview and Reading Competency prior to MA Examinations
- Take MA Examinations
What are the MA Examinations?
Before the MA degree in Spanish is granted, all candidates must pass 3 written comprehensive examinations over reading lists in three areas. They will then have an oral interview, based on the reading lists, with graduate faculty.
I am a GTA and have completed my 32 hours to graduate. I still have to take my MA Exams and I want to teach: do I need to enroll in classes?
You will have to take into consideration two separate graduate school requirements: all degree candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour during their semester of graduation; all GTAs must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. During your last semester you can maintain minimum enrollment (between 1-6 credits), but if you drop below 6 credit hours, you must file an Application for Exception form. Print and fill out the form, stating in a concise manner the reasons for the requested exception. The Graduate Coordinator must approve and sign the form before forwarding it to the Graduate School.
Other
I am interested in the MA degree in Spanish at WSU, but don’t live in Wichita. Can I complete the degree long-distance?
Yes, it is possible and here are some options for you:
- You can take advanced and graduate classes as a participant in the Summer Program in Puebla;
- You can transfer 6 credits from other institutions of higher learning;
- You can attend WSU for several advanced/graduate pre-session classes.
Most importantly, contact the Graduate Coordinator to create your personalized course of study. Be advised that there is a minimum number of credits that must be taken at the WSU campus.