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.
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Career Accordion Open
Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Spanish teacher
- Corporate educator
- Interpreter
- Spanish-language reporter
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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.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Foreign Language | A foreign language is required. |
| Progression Plan Link | View 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
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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
This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:
- Teaching and Pedagogy Coursework: 12 units
- Literature and Culture Coursework: 9-12 units
- Linguistics Coursework: 9-12 units
- Electives: 3 units
Take the following 36 units:
Teaching and Pedagogy
Literature and Culture
Linguistics
Additional units selected from (3 units)- Any course from: SPA 511, SPA 512, SPA 513, SPA 514, SPA 515, SPA 516, SPA 551, SPA 552, SPA 553, SPA 554, SPA 555, SPA 531, SPA 532, SPA 533, SPA 534.
- Students wishing to continue into a PhD program have the option of completing a Capstone Project with the approval of the graduate faculty.
Comprehensive Exam
Please note that this academic plan does not lead to Arizona state teacher certification. See the "College of Education" section of this catalog for information about certification programs.
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.