Explore your love for language, literature and culture while gaining practical experience with a flexible M.A. in Spanish.
Why Earn a Master's in Spanish?
The increase in the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. is creating opportunities for those who speak both English and Spanish fluently. Graduate study in Spanish prepares you for a wide choice of careers that requires native or near-native oral and written skills.
An M.A. program in Spanish offers an ideal academic environment for students interested in advanced studies in Hispanic, Latin American and Peninsular literature, and Spanish linguistics. You'll gain knowledge and develop critical thinking on traditional and modern approaches used in these fields.
Why Study Spanish at CSUN?
Community-based Learning
Our courses are focused on providing actionable practical knowledge. Many courses include community-based and service-learning projects that allow you to apply your knowledge to real-life situations and gain real-world experience. Projects include collaborations with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic, Los Angeles Superior Court and translation opportunities for nonprofits and businesses.
A Flexible and Rigorous Program
CSUN's Spanish M.A. program offers a flexible schedule with face-to-face, hybrid and online courses. You'll have an option to focus your course work on one or more of the following fields: Peninsular literature and culture, Latin American literature and culture, linguistics and interpreting.
Research Opportunities
Our students are actively engaged in research and present their work at local, regional and national events. Funding opportunities are available through different sources to support research and professional development activities.
What You'll Learn
The M.A. program develops your language fluency as well as your analytical, interpretive and writing skills. You'll learn the techniques, methods and strategies to carry out independent research that supports your career goals. You'll work with scholars to experience first hand how new ideas are created through the research process.
You'll select six courses from the fields of language, literature and civilization. Courses include:
- History of the Spanish Language
- Advanced Translation
- Spanish Literary Criticism
- Topics in Latin-American Culture
- Topics in Spanish Culture
You'll choose additional elective language and literature courses, such as:
- Structure of the Spanish Language
- Art of Translation
- Advanced Written Expression
Careers & Outcomes
Our program prepares you for a career in the fields of languages and literatures, foreign language education, translation, interpreting and many more. Some of our graduates also choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree.
Job Titles
- Bilingual educator
- Teacher
- Translator/interpreter
- Cultural attache
- Foreign service officer
- Court interpreter
- International relations consultant
- UNESCO official
Annual scholarship for students of Spanish
The Barbara Ann Ward Annual Scholarship for Spanish Studies recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence in their Spanish studies.
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a master’s student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Master of Arts in Spanish.
- Apply to both the university and the specific graduate program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a master's program at CSUN.