STATESBORO —The department of foreign languages offers two graduate course programs called MA in spanish and MAT in spanish education.

The Master of Arts in spanish is a 30 hour program of study to provide students with advanced level courses in spanish literature, history and culture.

Students can choose to do the Master of Arts or Master of Arts in Teaching, or a combination of the two programs which is a 45 hour program that takes students five semesters to finish.

“Most students do the combination because it’s easier for them to do both and we count courses from one degree for the other,” graduate director Marcela Ruiz-Funes said.

The program typically offers three graduate level classes during the fall and spring semesters and two over the classes in the summer.

Ruiz-Funes states the program is not just limited to spanish majors.

“For the MA students with any other major who are fluent in spanish can apply for admission into the MA,” Ruiz Funes said. “The MAT will be strict in every course because you need to have 21 credit hours of upper division courses in spanish before they get admitted into the program.” 

The foreign language department requires all degree candidates to take a comprehensive written and oral examinations.

“I do have a love for the spanish language, so for me, people who want to join the program should not be nervous or scared about where their experience came from, how they learned it or how they speak it,” spanish major Jordan Clarke said. “As long as you can be proficient in the language and can express yourself then someone who is seeking this program should not have any fear.”

Students can apply for a teaching assistantship, which includes a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. 

Duties will include a variety of teaching and research related activities. Assistantships are competitive and awarded as they are made available. 

“I’m a professor at times because I do activities and help teach a couple of classes,” spanish major Angelo Remero said. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of freedom and I feel like I’m in between professor and student so it kind of gives me a higher position but it does not require as much work.” 

For additional requirements and more information, students can visit here.

Davon Johnson, The George-Anne News Reporter, gaeditor@georgiasouthern.edu