Spanish, Master of Arts in Teaching

As our society becomes more multicultural and multilingual, demand for second-language speakers and educators is rising. If you're interested in advancing your education in Spanish-language teaching, you can polish your skills and build your resume in our Teaching Spanish program.

We prepare you to apply the most current methods, strategies, and technologies for teaching Spanish in a classroom environment that fosters cultural diversity. We provide you with the tools to become a master of knowledge directly related to classroom practices. Through linguistics, literature, and pedagogy, you will gain theoretical knowledge and practical expertise for understanding language acquisition in general and Spanish in particular.

The Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish is designed to prepare you to apply the most current methods, strategies, and technologies for teaching Spanish in a classroom environment that fosters cultural diversity.

The M.A.T. Spanish offers a professional foundation in the academic areas of Teaching and Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, and Linguistics to prepare teachers to excel in a rapidly changing classroom with an increasing number of bilingual and heritage language speakers.

Students (both native and non-native Spanish speakers) will be enrolled in graduate-level courses conducted entirely in Spanish. This will allow you to attain a high level of proficiency in the language.

Career Accordion Open

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Spanish teacher
  • Corporate educator
  • Interpreter
  • Spanish-language reporter

University Requirements Accordion Closed

University Requirements

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
    The full policy can be viewed here.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion36
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/InternshipOptional
Comprehensive ExamComprehensive Exam is required.
Foreign LanguageA foreign language is required.
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish is designed to prepare you to apply the most current methods, strategies, and technologies for teaching Spanish in a classroom environment that fosters cultural diversity.

The M.A.T. Spanish offers a professional foundation in the academic areas of Teaching and Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, and Linguistics to prepare teachers to excel in a rapidly changing classroom with an increasing number of bilingual and heritage language speakers.

Students (both native and non-native Spanish speakers) will be enrolled in graduate-level courses conducted entirely in Spanish. This will allow you to attain a high level of proficiency in the language.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, the graduate students will be able to:

  • develop detailed lesson-plans and assessment instruments, as well as effective activities and resources for teaching secondary and/or junior college level Spanish
  • teach Spanish at the secondary and/or junior college level using the latest methodologies
  • integrate technology into the teaching of Spanish to enhance students’ learning
  • participate in scholarly activities related to the teaching of Spanish in the state of Arizona and in the US
  • critically examine a variety of methods of Spanish Instruction
  • critically examine current theories of Second-Language Acquisition
  • integrate literature into the Spanish classroom to promote cultural awareness and provide context to language instruction
  • develop teaching-related research projects that combine knowledge of the three areas of the MAT program: Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature
  • analyze the linguistic features of the Spanish language at the sound, word, sentence and discourse levels and explain how they change across time, place and social groups

Details Accordion Closed

Details

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent. 
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy 


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • Academic essay written in Spanish
    • A Spanish oral interview after application is sbumitted (program coordinator will contact applicant)
    • Personal statement or essay 
Master's Requirements

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan.  Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees.  Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission.  Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.  Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.

Campus Availability Accordion Closed

Campus Availability