The Hispanic Studies program at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley offers the degree program: Master of Arts in Foreign Language: Spanish Teaching Emphasis.
Best described as A Confluence of Civilization, Culture, Language, Linguistics, Literature, and Language Acquisition Theory, it equips teachers with in-depth knowledge of all facets of the Spanish-speaking world, as well as the latest methodologies for teaching Spanish in secondary schools. During the course of the program, you have the option of taking an ACTFL/ETS Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
Options for Study
Summers. By following the prescribed sequence of courses, students may complete the MA in three continuous summers on the Greeley campus. The three year cycle includes curriculum rotation featuring Spain, Latin America, and Mexico/Hispanic United States. During these intensive language-immersion workshops and institutes, you will develop professional materials for use in the classroom, often with the expertise of nationally known guest lecturers as well as our deparment faculty to guide you. While you are on campus, we encourage you to speak only Spanish.
Salamanca Semester. Up to nine hours of course work may be completed during a summer Study Abroad experience in Salamanca, Spain. Credit for these classes is treated as transfer credit from the University of Salamanca to UNC.
Academic Year. Since ours is primarily a summer program, all students are expected to complete at least one summer session on campus as part of the MA experience at UNC. Occasionally, selected courses are offered during the academic year to supplement the summer offerings. Our MA program acommodates a variety of student needs and options.
Admissions
To be admitted to the Master’s program in Spanish teaching, you must possess a Baccalaurete degree in Spanish or its equivalent from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 grade point average or better (on a 4.0 scale) for regular admission. With a GPA below 3.0, students may be considered for provisional admission, upon recommendation from the program faculty. In most cases, candidates are expected to have at least one year of secondary teaching experience prior to admission to the program. The Department expects that you already have achieved written and spoken command of Spanish. Students with language deficiencies may be considered for provisional admission. For additonal information, see the “Master’s Degree Admission Standards” in the Catalog.
Program Requirements
Course work. Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit to earn the M.A. in Foreign Languages, Spanish Teaching Emphasis. You must complete 21 hours of graduate level courses in the Department of Hispanic Studies (SPAN), 6 hours in Pedagogy (FL 531) and 3 credit hours in Research Methods (SPAN 600).
Comprehensive Examinations. After coursework is completed, candidates are required to pass written and oral comprehensive examinations in each of the following fields: Field I: choose Literature or Civilization/Culture; and Field II: choose Language or Pedagogy.
To Apply
Applicants must collect all the materials required for admission eligibility and submit them together with the $50 application fee ($ 60 international students). These include a completed application, two transcripts from all college level institutions ever attended, as well as three letters of recommendation, and GRE and/or TOEFL scores are required for those students applying from outside the United States. Applicants should request that official GRE and/or TOEFL score reports be submitted directly to the Deparment or with the Graduate School application materials. Failure to follow these procedures may delay handling of the application. A Graduate Study application packet, the UNC Catalog, and more information on the University of Northern Colorado are available on the Graduate School Web site and from the Graduate School, (970) 351-2831 or 1-800-776-4723.
UNC Financial Aid
Graduate assistantships are competitive and require admission into the degree program for eligibility. Competitive Colorado Graduate Fellowships are awarded annually, primarily to new students at advanced levels of study.
Live-in residence hall director positions are available nearly every year. These positions supply room and board, a stipend and tuition assistance. For more information contact the Residence Life Center at (970) 351-2721.
The Office of Student Financial Resources administers grants, loans, employment, scholarships and Veterans’ benefits. To be considered on a priority basis for need-based financial aid through that office, you must submit a complete federally approved Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the preferred filing date of March 1. Students applying after March 1 will be considered on a funds-available basis.
Apply for UNC scholarships by completing a UNC Scholarship application form available at the Graduate School by March 1.
Housing
UNC offers family housing, as well as other housing options. During the regular academic year, residence halls, including two apartment-style buildings, are typically filled with undergraduate students, although space is frequently available in these halls during the summer session for graduate students. For information on space, costs and services, contact Residence Life, Faculty Apartments, Unit 1 (970) 351-2721.
Off-campus housing ranges from small apartments to rental houses. Rents are reasonable for a university environment, and homes for sale are available in all price ranges. Contact the Greeley/Weld Chamber of Commerce, 902 7th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631, (970) 352-3566 for a copy of the annual guide to Greeley with listings by major Greeley Realtors.
Contact Information
For more information about any aspects of the MA in Foreign Languages: Spanish Teaching Emphasis, feel free to e-mail the Director of Graduate Studies for the School of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies, Dr. Joy Landeira, or phone her at (970)-351-2162.
