Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, M.A.

This program is being discontinued pending SACSCOC approval and is not accepting applications for admission. The University is still authorized to offer the program and issue the associated credential for students who are currently enrolled in the program.

The M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with a concentration in French and Francophone Studies or Spanish offers two options: a thesis option requiring 30 credit hours of graduate study (24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis) and a comprehensive examination (if the degree is in French and Francophone Studies) and a non-thesis option requiring 30 credit hours of course work and a comprehensive examination.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants to the M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures must provide the following to the Graduate Program Director:

  • Statement of Purpose: 500-word statement of purpose in French or Spanish, highlighting prior experiences and explaining reasons for applying and expectations for the program.
  • Interview or Oral Sample: The candidate must contact the Graduate Program Director to schedule a face to face or online interview. This meeting needs to be scheduled at least a week before the deadline (if applying in the Spring). Alternatively, the candidate can submit a 3 to 5 minute unscripted standard audio digital format demonstrating speaking ability either in Spanish or French. The sample should discuss a topic related to the program of study as well as experiences and motivation and should be uploaded with the online application.
  • Writing Sample: An analytical paper in French, Spanish, or English written for a prior course in the humanities or a comparable writing sample (6 to 14 pages).
  • Test Scores: Qualifying examination scores, GRE or MAT, are recommended but not required.

Admission to the M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures assumes completion of an undergraduate program with a minimum of 24 credit hours in French or Spanish, as appropriate, above the 204 level. Candidates lacking the prior academic language training may be admitted provisionally (contact the Graduate Program Director for details).

Degree Program Requirements

Required: 30 credit hours

French and Francophone Studies Concentration

Required: 30 credit hours

Required Course (3 credits)
LLC 601Research Methods and Critical Analysis 13
Core Courses in French and Francophone Studies (18-30 credits)
Select 18-30 credits in one of the following options: 218-30
Thesis Option
18-24 course credits
6 thesis credits 3
Non-Thesis Option
24-30 course credits
Electives Related Area (0-6 credits)
Select up to 6 credits in a related area 40-6
Total Credit Hours30
1

The student must complete LLC 601with a grade of B (3.0) or better.

2

In consultation with the Graduate Advisor in French. The student must select courses at the 500-level or above with at least 50% at the 600-level or above.

3

In addition to the required credits in Core Courses in French and Francophone Studies, students selecting the Thesis Option must also complete 6 credits in FRE 699 Thesis.

4

With prior approval from the Graduate Advisor in French.

Additional Language Requirement

The student will demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than French and English by one of the following methods:

  • Passing a reading or translation examination
  • Completing intermediate-low level (equivalent to UNC Greensboro’s 204 level) or higher course work in the additional language with a grade of B (3.0) or better documented by an official transcript
  • Obtaining a score of 400 or higher on the department’s Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam

Contact the Graduate Advisor in French for details.

Comprehensive Examination (Capstone Experience)

The student must pass a written comprehensive examination based on the reading list and course work taken. Please consult with your graduate advisor for more information on formats and test dates.

Reading List

The student will read a prescribed list of major works of French literature.

Thesis (Thesis Option only)

The student selecting this option must write a thesis under the guidance of a committee consisting of a chair and two other members of the graduate faculty. An oral examination on the thesis is required. Please consult with your graduate advisor for further information.

Spanish Concentration

Required: 30 credit hours

Required Courses (6 credits)
LLC 600Methods of Teaching Modern Languages 3
LLC 601Research Methods and Critical Analysis 3
Core Courses in Spanish and Romance Languages (18 credits)
Select 18 credits in courses at the 500-level or above as indicated: 118
6 credits in Latin American Literature/Culture
6 credits in Spanish Peninsular Literature/Culture
6 credits in Linguistics, the three major areas of the program
Capstone Experience (0 or 6 credits)
Select one of the following options:0 or 6
Non-Thesis Option (0 credits)
Complete a written comprehensive examination 2
Thesis Option (6 credits)
Thesis 3
Electives (0 or 6 credits)
Select one of the following options:0 or 6
Non-Thesis Option (6 credits)
Select 6 credits of elective courses
Thesis Option (0 credits)
No elective courses required 4
Total Credit Hours30
1

Courses must be selected in consultation with the Graduate Program Director in Spanish. At least 50% of the courses must be at the 600-level.

2

Non-Thesis Option students must pass a comprehensive examination based on the reading list. Examinations are scheduled once a semester in the Fall and Spring semesters; please consult with your graduate advisor for the examination dates.

3

Students selecting this option must complete 6 credits of SPA 699 and write a thesis under the guidance of a committee consisting of a chair and two other members of the graduate faculty. An oral examination on the thesis is required. Please consult with the graduate advisor for further information.

4

Thesis Option students do not have an elective course requirement.

Core Courses in Spanish and Romance Languages

Thesis option: Students who opt to write a thesis must develop a proposal and have it approved by the thesis chair and graduate program director by the end of their first year in the program. Students selecting this option must write a thesis under the guidance of a committee consisting of a chair and two other members of the graduate faculty. An oral examination on the thesis is required. Please consult with your graduate advisor for further information. Students who opt to write a thesis are exempt from comprehensive exams.

Non-Thesis option: Students in the non-thesis option must pass a written comprehensive examination based on the reading list.

Reading List

Students will read a prescribed list that includes major works on Spanish and Spanish American literature as well as works on Spanish and Spanish-American culture and civilization, and Hispanic linguistics. Students should consult regularly with their graduate advisor and with faculty specializing in the various areas, while working to complete preparation of the reading list.

Additional Language Requirement

The student will demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than Spanish and English by one of the following methods:

  • Passing a reading or translation examination
  • Completing intermediate-low level (equivalent to UNC Greensboro’s 204 level) or higher course work in the additional language with a grade of B (3.0) or better documented by an official transcript
  • Obtaining a score of 400 or higher on the department’s Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam

Contact the Graduate Program Director in Spanish for details.

Accelerated B.A. to M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Application and Admission

Qualified UNC Greensboro undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree on one of the following may apply for admission to the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP):

  • B.A in Spanish
  • B.A in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with a concentration in French and Francophone Studies
  • B.A in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with a concentration in Applied Languages, K-12 Teaching Licensure
  • B.A in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with a concentration in Global Languages and Communities, with Spanish or French as their primary language

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5, or at least 3.5 in a related major, based on a minimum of 30 credits earned at UNC Greensboro, is required. Applicants must have completed at least 60 credits and may not apply for admission to the AMP before the first semester of their junior year.

All applicants must begin by meeting with the Graduate Program Director to review eligibility and must complete the Accelerated Master's Program information when applying for admission to the graduate degree program. Standard application requirements for the M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures program apply to the AMP.

Standardized entrance exams (GRE/ MAT) are not required for AMP students.

Courses

Admitted students may apply a maximum of 9 credits total from approved graduate-level courses (6 credits from 500-level courses and 3 credits from 600-level courses for the M.A. with a Spanish Concentration and 9 credits total from 500-level and/or 600-level courses for the M.A. with a concentration in French and Francophone Studies) toward completion of the undergraduate and graduate degree provided that: the courses are appropriate to attain the necessary competencies for the graduate degree; the student earns a grade of B (3.0) or better in each course; and the courses are at the 500-level or above and the student fulfills the graduate-level requirements of the courses.

The following courses may be counted towards both the B.A. and M.A. degrees:

Students admitted to the AMP for the M.A. with a Spanish Concentration may select from:
500-level courses *
SPA 502Selected Topics in Spanish Literature3
SPA 504Selected Topics in Latin American Literature3
SPA 509Selected Topics in Literatures from the Spanish-Speaking World3
SPA 532Selected Topics in Spanish Cultures, Literatures, and Films3
SPA 534Selected Topics in Latin American Cultures, Literatures, and Films3
SPA 535Selected Topics in U.S. Latino/Latina Cultural Studies3
SPA 546Selected Topics in Hispanic Linguistics3
SPA 562Studies in Film Genre3
LLC 519Second Language Acquisition3
600-level courses **
SPA 603Seminar in Spanish Literature3
SPA 604Seminar in Spanish American Literature3
SPA 605Seminar in Hispanic Linguistics3
SPA 693Special Topics in Spanish Language and/or Literature3
LLC 600Methods of Teaching Modern Languages 3
LLC 601Research Methods and Critical Analysis 3
Students admitted to the AMP for the M.A. with a French and Francophone Studies Concentration may select from:
500-level courses *
FRE 507Teaching French through French Literature3
FRE 511The Theory and Practice of French Translation3
FRE 556Topics in French Theatre3
FRE 557Advanced Topics in French Literature3
FRE 558Topics in Francophone Literature3
FRE 562Studies in Film Genre3
LLC 568African History and Cultures through Film3
LLC 599Community-Based Service Learning3
600-level courses **
FRE 653Seminar in French Literature3
FRE 693Special Problems in French Language and Literature3
LLC 600Methods of Teaching Modern Languages 3
LLC 601Research Methods and Critical Analysis 3
*

A maximum of 6 credits from courses at the 500 level may be used for the M.A. with a Spanish Concentration. A maximum of 9 credits at the 500 level may be used for the M.A. with a French and Francophone Studies Concentration.

**

A maximum of 3 credits from courses at the 600 level may be used. A maximum of 9 credits at the 600 level may be used for the M.A. with a French and Francophone Studies Concentration.

Students must have completed the appropriate prerequisites required for listed courses or permission of the department. All courses that lead to the completion of the M.A. degree must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.