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The Graduate Program

The University of California, Irvine offers comprehensive programs of study in Spanish, Spanish American Literature, Chicano/Latino Literature and Cultures of the United States that lead to an M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. This reflects the faculty's concern with the nature of literature and the methods used to interpret it. The program integrates literary theory, linguistics and socio-historical studies to explore the relations between literature, history, philosophy, ethnic discourses, and Women's Studies.

Graduate course offerings reflect a critical interest in theoretical and multidisciplinary perspectives and provide opportunities for personal research. Additionally, graduate students are encouraged to pursue studies in other departments in the School of Humanities and the Interdisciplinary Program in Critical Theory. Yearly, the Department hosts a distinguished visiting scholar or writer of international reputation.

The M.A. Degree: The Master of Arts degree in Spanish is a two-year program of study designed to expose the beginning graduate student to all periods of peninsular, Latin American, and Chicano/Latino literature and culture. The degree is awarded upon the successful completion of course work and written and oral comprehensive examinations. A minimum of 10 courses (one course in Chicano/Latino literatures required) must be completed with a letter grade; at least eight of these must be graduate seminars. Required course work includes one course in theory (239A or B), and one course in Chicano/Latino literatures. Proficiency (defined as the equivalent of completing 2C) in a foreign language other than Spanish is required; it is recommended that master's students take Portuguese as their foreign language, although other languages are accepted. Students may choose a focus in literature, linguistics, or creative writing. Master's candidates must complete a minimum of three quarters of course work in the Department; the maximum time to complete the master's program is two years. Normally only students intending to work toward the Ph.D. are admitted to the graduate program.

The Ph.D. Degree:  A Minimum of 20 courses beyond the B.A. or 10 beyond the M.A. are required. One course in linguistics (diachronic or synchronic), and one graduate course in Luso-Brazilian literature are required at the Ph.D. level.  The remaining elective courses are selected with the approval of the student's guidance committee to prepare for the doctoral examination and the dissertation. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum number of required courses.   The normal time for advancement to candidacy is four years.  According to School regulations, all students are expected to finish the Ph.D. degree in seven years (normal time to degree).  Maximum time to degree allowed to finish the degree is eight years.

A student who transfers into the doctoral program from elsewhere must take a minimum of 10 graduate courses at UCI, of which seven must be in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. With regard to students who enter the Ph.D. program with their master's degree from another institution, the Ph.D. guidance committee will determine the number of courses that will be accepted.

All students seeking admission into the Spanish and Portuguese Graduate Program (M.A., Ph.D.) required to take the GRE.

Requests for application materials can be emailed to June De Turk, Graduate Coordinator. The Acting Graduate Program Director for the Graduate Program is Professor Ana Maria Amar Sanchez.

If you would like to apply to our Graduate Ph.D. Program the On-Line Application, Parts A-D is available at the following website: http://www.rgs.uci.edu/grad/prospective/index.htm
You will be required to pay the application fee of 60.00 for U.S. Citizens and lawful U.S. Permanent Residents,  or $80.00 for International Students.

The following items are also required:

  1. Application Fee of $70.00 for U.S. Citizens and lawful U.S. Permanent Residents, and $00.00 for International Students
  2. Statement of Purpose can be included with application or sent separately
  3. Two official copies of Academic Records (undergraduate and graduate)
    If your transcripts are in an language other than English, a official translated copy must be submitted.
  4. 3 letters of Recommendation in English including waiver and recommendation forms available at following website: http://www.rgs.uci.edu/grad/prospective/letter_of_rec.htm
  5. Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Scores:
    Information on the GRE may be obtained from most colleges and universities, including UCI, or from:
    The Graduate Record Examination(http://www.gre.org/), Educational Testing Service (ETS),
    P.O. Box 6000,
    Princeton, NJ 08541-6000;
    Telephone: (609) 771-7670
    Select Institution Code#R4859 for UCI and #2608 for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese
  6. All applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. However, this requirement will be waived automatically for applicants who have received an advanced degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. Proficiency in English may be demonstrated by passing one of two standardized, internationally administered tests: TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language); or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The applicant should take one of these tests at the earliest available date to ensure that the scores are reported in time to meet application deadlines.
  7. A minimum seven (7) page sample of work written in Spanish that a) demonstrates original critical prospective, b) develop coherent line of argument, c) demonstrate the ability to organize paper properly, and d) possess appropriate research skill for  primary and secondary sources.
  8. Demonstration of English Language Proficiency for Teaching Assistant/Associate Employment (not required for admission): International and U.S. Permanent Resident graduate students who are not citizens of countries where English is either the primary or dominant language as approved by the UCI Graduate Council, who wish to be considered for appointment as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate, must pass an approved oral English proficiency examination. There is no exception to this requirement. Oral English proficiency may be demonstrated by achieving a score of at least: 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English, administered by ETS); 26 on the Speaking component of the TOEFL iBT; 8 on the Speaking component of the Academic Modules of the IELTS.

For a detailed description of the graduate degree in Spanish and Portuguese, please visit the UCI General Catalog:
M.A. & Ph.D.

Housing Information

The University of California, Irvine guarantees an offer of on-campus housing to every newly-admitted, full-time Ph.D. and M.F.A. student. Ph.D. students will be guaranteed housing for a term of one year less than normal time to degree for their academic program. M.F.A. students will be guaranteed housing for a term of three years. For specific information regarding the terms of the guarantee please visit the Graduate & Family Housing Website.

 

 
 
   
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