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Department of World Languages & Literatures College of Arts & Letters

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¡Bienvenidos - Welcome to the Spanish Program!

BA & Minor in Spanish

2018 Spanish Program Graduates

Spanish BA Program

We are certain that your academic experience with us will enhance and broaden your interest in Hispanic Studies. Our Bachelor of Arts and Spanish Minor are balanced study programs that cover the Spanish language, Peninsular, and Latin American Literature, as well as the many cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Our graduates are well-prepared to pursue the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish, apply to the Master of Arts Program in Spanish, and enhance their employment possibilities in other related fields such as government service, business, criminal justice, social work, nursing, and foreign affairs.

Freshmen

  • If you have completed at least two years of high school Spanish, SPAN 1B (elementary level) is suggested.
  • SPAN 2A (intermediate level) is suggested if you have completed at least three years.
  • If you have completed four years, SPAN 42 (conversation) & SPAN 47 (Intro to Composition & Grammar Review) is suggested.
  • SPAN 1A is suggested for any student who has completed two years of high school Spanish with a passing grade below "C-."
  • Three years of high school Spanish with a grade of "C-" or better fulfills the Sac State Foreign Language Graduation Requirement.

You must complete high school coursework with a grade of "C-" or better to be eligible for any class higher than SPAN 1B.

Freshmen & Transfer Students

  • Spanish 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B (or their equivalent) must be completed consecutively at the community college or university level before any advanced level (upper division) courses may be taken. For example, if you have taken two semesters of elementary Spanish at a community college, then you may continue at CSUS with the 3rd semester or SPAN 2A.
  • Once students have completed SPAN 2B (or equivalent), most will then complete their required 6 units of electives for the major by taking SPAN 47 along with SPAN 42, though other electives such as 123, 130, and 134 can be taken once SPAN 100 (Intro to Hispanic Literature) is completed. Keep in mind that SPAN 47 is a prerequisite to SPAN 100.
  • CSUS Equivalence for High School Advanced Placement Exam in Spanish:
    • A score of 3 = SPAN 2A
    • A score of 4 = SPAN 2B
    • A score of 5 = SPAN 42 & 47

Spanish Lower Division Equivalents for California Community Colleges

Advising Information

It is important for all Spanish majors to meet with their advisor each semester. The following is a list of Spanish faculty and their areas of specialization:

Find Your Advisor

Advisors are assigned according to the first letter of students' last name. Please contact your advisor by e-mail regarding any questions about the Spanish major or minor. Please note that most instructors are unavailable during the Summer and Winter break.

A-C - Dr. Edward Baranowski
D-G - Dr. Miguel Bota
H-L - Dr. Jonathan Fleck
M-Q - Dr. Maria Mayberry
R-S - Dr. Brenda Romero
T-Z - Dr. Euisuk Kim

Spanish BA & Minor Roadmaps

Spanish MA Program

two faculty of Spanish with four graduates at their commencement ceremony

Reasons you should apply to our MA in Spanish Program

  • In-depth exploration of topics, geographic regions and time periods. Some of these courses are:
    • SPAN 220D: Contemporary Spanish Literature “Black Women Writers in 21st c. Spain and Equatorial Guinea”
    • SPAN 224C: Spanish-American Literature, 1880-1945 “Indigenismo and Social Justice”
  • The faculty in the Spanish graduate program are active scholars with a wide range of publications and expertise in language and literature from Spain and Latin America. Their research spans diverse areas and employs various theoretical approaches within these fields
  • Our graduates have a wide range of opportunities available for them post graduation. Some graduates from the Spanish M.A. program work at:
    • Sierra College
    • Wichita State University
    • Santa Clara University
    • Buffalo Point Elementary
    • St. Hope Public Schools
  • Others are pursuing doctoral degrees in:
    • Yale University
    • The University of Texas at Austin

Program Description

  1. The Master of Arts in Spanish offers a dynamic and comprehensive program that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in a wide range of careers, including teaching, translation, interpretation, government service, international business, and beyond. It also provides an excellent foundation for those interested in pursuing a Ph.D.
  2. Designed for both recent B.A. graduates and experienced professionals—such as teachers, translators, and interpreters—this program deepens expertise in the Spanish language, Hispanic cultures, and literature, ensuring students stand out in their chosen fields.
  3. Graduates of the Spanish M.A. program experience enhanced career opportunities and are well-positioned for salary advancement, making this a transformative step for personal and professional growth.

Our four main areas of the discipline:

  1. Hispanic Culture & Civilization
  2. Spanish Linguistics
  3. Latin American Literature
  4. Spanish Peninsular Literature

Master of Arts in Spanish Program Admission Requirements

Prospective students must have the following:

  • a Bachelor of Arts degree
  • a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last 60 attempted semester units (90 quarter units)
  • Completion of undergraduate courses in Hispanic culture, language, and literature.

The Spanish M.A. requires students to complete
a minimum of 30 units:

Core Categories

  • Latin American Literature courses (6 units)
  • Spanish Literature courses (6 units)
  • Culture and Civilization courses (6 units)
  • Spanish Linguistics courses (6 units)

Other

  • Elective courses (2-6 units)
  • Culminating Experience (4 units)

SPAN MA Application

The Application Process

Fall 2025 Admission application is due March 1, 2025

The Sacramento State admission process requires the formal application to be reviewed by both the Office of Graduate Studies and the Department of World Languages & Literatures.

Part I: Applying to the Office of Graduate Studies (Avaible October 1, 2024)

Online graduate school application for admission

Note: There is a $70 fee to apply to the Office of Graduate Studies, and the application must be submitted online. Students should consult the Office of Graduate Studies website for more information on the application process. All fees are subject to change.

Part II: Applying to the Department

  • Cover letter/Statement of Purpose: Briefly introduce yourself and provide contact information (phone number, mailing address, and email address), then include a one-page Statement of Purpose (discussing your interest in the program) written in English or Spanish.
  • A five-page writing sample in Spanish from any previous coursework that an instructor graded.
  • Two letters of recommendation from your former professors.
  • A copy of your transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.

Send all departmental materials by no later than March 1, 2025, to:

Dr. Brenda Romero
brenda.romero@csus.edu
Graduate Coordinator, Spanish Program
California State University, Sacramento
Department of World Languages & Literatures
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6087

the five profiles of MA in Spanish faculty