Spanish-MA-Handbook

Spanish MA

Handbook

Last update: April 2022

Table of Contents

I. Presentation of the Spanish MA Program

A. Overview of the MA in Spanish …………………………………………………. 2

B. Advisement …………………………………………………………………………. 2

Date completed: __________________

C. Degree Steps ………………………………………………………………. 3

Admission …………………………………………………………………. 3

Conditionally Classified …………………………………………………. 3

Graduate Standing …………………………………………………………. 3

Spanish Language Exam …………………………………………………. 3

Plagiarism Workshop …………………………………………………………. 4

Classified Graduate Standing …………………………………………………. 4

Graduate English Writing Requirement …………………………………. 4

Advancement to Candidacy …………………………………………………. 6

The Culminating Experience: …………………………………………………. 7

Comprehensive Exam …………………………………………………. 7

Guidelines for Writing the Thesis …………………………………. 8

Thesis …………………………….……………………………………. 8

Projet …………………………….……………………………………. 10

MA Coursework in Spanish …………………………….……………………. 12

Application for MA Degree …………………………….……………………. 13

Appeal Process …………………………………….……………………. 13

II. Financial Assistance for Graduate Students …………………………………. 14

III. Students With Disabilities …………………………….…………….………………. 14

IV. Qualifications for the Position of Teaching Associate (TA) in Spanish……………. 15

V. Professional and Ethical Behavior of Spanish MA Students …………..………. 17

VI. Appendices

Appendix A: MA Spanish Roadmap: Checklist for Students …………..………. 19

Appendix B: Approved Courses From Other Departments …………..………. 20

I. PRESENTATION OF MA SPANISH PROGRAM

A. OVERVIEW OF THE MA PROGRAM

The Spanish MA requires the completion of 30 units of approved coursework as listed under the

Department of Modern and Classical Languages in the General Catalog, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in

applicable coursework and successful performance on the Spanish Language Exam.

The student will also decide on a culminating experience: either take the Spanish Comprehensive Exam or

write a thesis or project. Please note that all students are required to know how to use either a computer.

Additionally, all students are required to adhere to the requirements of the Division of Graduate Studies

included toward the end the General Catalog (or http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/). A

five-year limit applies to the completion of all requirements for the degree. The purpose of the present

Spanish MA Handbook is to provide useful, supplementary details concerning the MA Program in Spanish

and does not substitute General Catalog statements concerning Graduate Studies at Fresno State, or the

MA program in Spanish for which the student is responsible. It is also essential that students take the

initiative and adhere to published deadlines in taking tests and submitting necessary paperwork. It is

suggested that the student uses Appendix A to keep track of progress toward the degree.

B. ADVISEMENT

Professors of Spanish who teach in the MA program are available to respond to general questions

regarding the graduate program. However, it is recommended that MA Spanish students meet with

Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Gloria Medina-Sancho, at least once each semester to review their

progress toward the degree. Send an email to her at [email protected] for an appointment.

Students are asked to be mindful of appropriate protocol when speaking or writing emails to any faculty

member.

*Any student who has a specific issue or problem related to the program, including their progress,

financial aid appeal letters, and signatures for required Graduate Studies paperwork should contact

Dr. Medina-Sancho immediately for an appointment.

Office hours and summer availability: Faculty members maintain regular office hours in

Fall and Spring semesters. Over the summer, many faculty members travel to conduct

research; therefore, faculty availability over the summer may be limited, and cannot be

guaranteed. Please allow extra time for responses to emails in the summer.

C. DEGREE STEPS

ADMISSION

To apply to the MA Spanish program, a student must possess:

● A BA in Spanish (otherwise students are assigned Spanish 119, 121A and/or 121B, 140, 142 and

143 as prerequisite coursework in Spanish to make up prior to Classified Standing);

● A GPA of 3.0 or higher in all previous coursework in Spanish;

● A GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units of college work; • 3 letters of recommendation;

● A writing sample of 10–12 pages in Spanish or two essays (5-6 pages each); • A statement of

purpose, in Spanish or English.

Complete the online application at www.csumentor.edu, and submit any transcripts from other

universities to Graduate Admissions as directed. The Graduate Admissions Office will forward your

Application to the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. There is no separate

application to the MA Spanish Program, and GRE scores are not required; however, please submit the

recommendation letters, writing sample, and statement of purpose directly to the Spanish Graduate

Program Coordinator (Dr. Medina Sancho).

CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED GRADUATE STANDING

Most students are admitted to the MA Spanish Program as “Conditionally Classified.” This means that

they must satisfy certain conditions during their first semester(s) of graduate studies. For example, they

must take and pass the Spanish Language Exam and complete a plagiarism workshop. Students who did

not major in Spanish as undergraduates must complete prerequisite courses prescribed by the coordinator:

Spanish 119, 121A and/or 121B, 140, 142, and 143.

SPANISH LANGUAGE EXAM

All students are advised to take the Spanish Language Exam during their first semester in the program

since it is a requirement to attain Classified Graduate Standing. The purpose of this test is to verify the

ability of students to write effectively at an appropriate level in Spanish.

The M.A. Language Exam is a diagnostic exam that assesses knowledge of basic areas of Spanish grammar

and writing relevant to a career path in this field. The exam covers fundamental grammar areas that

students are expected to understand upon graduating with the B.A. in Spanish and/or upon entering the

M.A. program in Spanish. The areas the exam assesses are taught in several of our undergraduate Spanish

courses. Topics that may be covered on the exam include the following:

● Verb conjugation in all tenses and moods. Students need to know the names of verb tenses and

how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in all tenses.

● The uses of the pronounse

● Correct spelling and rules of accent mark usage

● Subject and object pronouns

● The correct use of relative pronouns in relative clauses

● Formal and informal commands (= the imperative)

● Morphology reflecting agreement between words

● Essays of different styles

● Comprehension of reading texts

The Language Exam is given at the start of every semester, usually in late August or early September and

late January or early February. Pre-registration is required.

A student may take the Spanish Language Exam a total number of two (2) times. If a student does not

pass the exam twice, the student may write a formal letter to the Spanish Section to petition to take the

exam for a third and final time. If a student does not pass the exam for a total number of three (3) times,

the student will be disqualified from the Spanish MA program.

Plagiarism Workshop

The Spanish MA program requires all new MA students to complete an on-line tutorial on plagiarism and

academic integrity. To take the "Preventing Plagiarism (Advanced)" course, students must go to the Henry

Madden Library website at https://library.fresnostate.edu/info/ guides-tutorials/canvas-tutorials and

Please contact Dr. Medina-Sancho for more information regarding the procedure for fulfilling this

requirement.

Classified Graduate Standing

Once the Spanish Language Exam is passed, the student has taken and passed a total of 9.0 units with a

GPA of 3.0 or above, and has completed any other conditions of “Conditionally Classified Standing,” it is

the responsibility of the student to notify the Graduate Coordinator to complete a “Classified Graduate

Standing Request” to the Division of Graduate Studies on the student’s behalf. This should happen no

later than the end of the semester in which the student completes 10 units to be used toward the MA in

Spanish (see General Catalog).

SPANISH MA: GRADUATE ENGLISH WRITING REQUIREMENT

Goals:

This is a University Requirement for Advancement to Candidacy. During their first year of graduate

studies, MA Spanish students are required to write one research paper in English for the graduate seminar

Spanish 203 (Applied Literary Theory). In this essay, students will be required to meet the writing

objectives set forth in the Graduate Writing Requirement document endorsed by the Academic Senate,

including “comprehensibility, clear organization of ideas, an ability to arrange ideas logically so as to

establish a sound scholarly argument, thoroughness and competence in documentation, and an ability to

model the discipline’s overall style as reflected in representative journals.” The student’s research paper

will be read and evaluated by the Spanish MA Coordinator. In the event that students demonstrate poor

English writing skills the first year of their graduate studies, they will be required to continue to work on

those skills.

Policy:

In order to command scholarly and professional credibility, graduate students in Spanish must

demonstrate writing skills commensurate with society’s expectations of persons who hold advanced

degrees and develop the ability to write in formats and styles appropriate to our discipline. In accordance

with requirements of the State of California, students must demonstrate competence in written English

before they apply for advancement to candidacy. For pedagogical reasons, they should demonstrate such

competence as early in their programs as possible.

Objectives:

The student’s writing should demonstrate:

1. Comprehensibility;

2. Clear organization and presentation of ideas;

3. An ability to arrange ideas logically so as to establish a sound scholarly argument;

4. Thoroughness and competence in documentation;

5. An ability to express in writing a critical analysis of existing scholarly / professional literature in the

student’s area of interest; and

6. An ability to model the discipline’s overall style as reflected in representative journals.

Standards:

Writing competency should be measured against specific standards (e.g., representative journals in the

field), which are stated in the program’s catalog entry, and in similar material.

Appeals process:

The student will have two opportunities to turn in a research paper that meets the requirements stated

above. If after two opportunities, the student’s paper does not meet the requirements, the student may

appeal for a third and final time to turn in work that meets the aforementioned standards established by the

State of California and the University.

ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY

Once the student has achieved Classified Graduate Standing, the student must contact the Graduate

Coordinator to advance to candidacy – the final step in completing the Spanish MA. The Advancement to

Candidacy process provides you with a list of approved coursework, including a culminating experience,

for you to complete your degree. To be eligible for the Graduate Program Coordinator to submit your

Advancement to Candidacy form to the Division of Graduate Studies Office, you must first have

accomplished the following:

1. Pass the Spanish Language Exam;

2. Achieve Classified Graduate Standing;

3. Satisfy the Graduate English Writing Proficiency Requirement;

4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all coursework from the semester in which the first

course is taken toward the MA Spanish degree; NOTE: “all courses” also includes courses not used

toward the degree;

5. Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in courses taken toward the MA Spanish program; no grade below a

“C” in program courses may count toward the degree;

6. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on Fresno State coursework if part of your MA Spanish

program includes coursework transferred form another university;

(Reference: General Catalog, “Division of Graduate Studies”). The Advancement to Candidacy

form is available online at http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/forms/atc.html

Please note: you must select “Spanish” and the year you entered the Spanish MA program

for the form to be correct.

DEADLINE: You must achieve Advancement to Candidacy by the Division of Graduate Studies

no later than the semester prior to the one in which you plan to finish all requirements and

formally apply for the granting of the MA degree.

Besides the Language Exam the student must pass, the student must also choose a culminating

experience: Take the Spanish Comprehensive Exam or write a thesis or write a project.

The Culminating Experience (choose one):

Comprehensive Exam, Thesis or Project

To be eligible to take the Comprehensive Exam the student must be ADVANCED TO CANDIDACY.

The same is true of those who enroll in Thesis 299 or Project 298 units.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

A comprehensive examination is an assessment of the student’s ability to integrate the knowledge of the

area, show critical and independent thinking, and demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. The results

of the examination must evidence independent thinking, appropriate organization, critical analysis, and

accuracy of documentation. A record of the examination questions and responses shall be maintained.

The Comprehensive Exam is normally taken during the student’s final semester. Only one exam may be

taken in a given semester.

All students who select this option will take an exam in Literature. In order to prepare for the

Comprehensive Exam, it is highly advised that students become acquainted with the examination process,

as described below:

1. Every academic year the Spanish graduate faculty will create a list of SIX (6) questions for the

Comprehensive Exam. The questions will be based on recent graduate seminars and will originate

from the following areas:

a. Spanish Peninsular Literature (Medieval and Early Modern)

b. Spanish Peninsular Literature (19th-20th century)

c. Latin American Literature (20th century)

d. Mexican Literature (20th-21st century)

e. Caribbean Literature

f. Poetry

2. The semester before the exam, the student must notify the coordinator of the student’s will to take

the Comprehensive Exam.

3. In dialogue with the coordinator, the student a) will receive the list of SIX (6) questions that the

student should study in-depth for the exam, and b) must define a specific area of interest in

Hispanic literature

4. In dialogue with the coordinator, and derived from the above, the student must contact a faculty

member who is a specialist in the student’s area of interest, and prepare a reading list with the

faculty member’s assistance.

5. The Comprehensive Exam will consist of two parts:

Part I: On the scheduled day for the Comprehensive Exam, the student will write on THREE (3)

questions chosen at random. These three questions will come from the list of six questions created

by the Spanish graduate faculty. Each question is to be answered as a formal essay where students

must demonstrate their ability to effectively analyze literary works. Students will be allowed three (3)

hours to answer the three questions. In order to pass this portion of the exam, a student must

receive a minimum score of 80% on each of the three questions.

Part II: After finishing the first part of the exam,one research question will be given to the student.

The topic and theme of this research question will be related to the list of readings that the student

created in his or her area of interest. The student will have EIGHT (8) days to write a research

essay in response to the question. The essay must have a minimum length of 12 pages (21,600

words) and must reference at least five (5) critical secondary sources that have undergone a

professional editorial process (Wikipedia and similarly weak sources are not allowed), and five (5)

quotes minimum. The essay must present a clear introduction with a clear thesis developed by the

student; the student’s original supporting arguments; and a clear conclusion based on the arguments

developed.

PLEASE NOTE: Every semester an Examination Committee will be in charge of evaluating the

three questions for Part I and the research question for Part II of the Comprehensive Exam.

During the grading process, students should not discuss any aspect of their answers with any of the

Spanish faculty members of the Examination Committee until after the exam results have been

released. A breach of confidentiality is a serious matter; as a result, any student who fails to

maintain this confidentiality may be disqualified from the exam for that semester. The student may

take this exam a total number of two (2) times. If a student does not pass the exam twice, the

student may write a formal letter to the Spanish Section to petition to take the exam for a third and

final time. If a student does not pass the exam for a total number of three (3) times, the student will

be disqualified from the Spanish MA program.

THESIS (SPAN 299)

For those who intend to enter a doctoral program, or those who would like to leave a part of their own

philosophy recorded for the years to come, the thesis is the best option. A thesis implies a time

commitment and desire to develop an original and innovative thesis based entirely on the student’s own

research. The thesis gives the student the opportunity to present his or her own original interpretations

and

theoretically grounded analysis on a literary work. Students who desire to write a thesis should consult with

available faculty as soon as possible to determine the viability of their ideas, and to plan the timeline for

thesis completion, as a thesis normally takes at least two semesters to research and write. After a professor

of Spanish has been selected to direct the thesis, two additional readers may be found from among the

Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Faculty, or according to Thesis Committee

Policy, one member may be from another relevant discipline or profession. The thesis director and the

second reader must be tenured or tenure-track. The third reader may be a full time lecturer with a terminal

degree in the field. Thesis Information and Master’s Thesis Committee Assignment Forms are available

through the Graduate Division Office website:

http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/thesis/

Before embarking on writing a thesis, a thesis candidate should view the thesis information session video

posted by the Thesis Consultant, Chuck Radke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTxmP9CsF7g .

Deadlines for submitting theses to the Graduate Office are published in calendars included in the General

Catalog, the Schedule of Classes, and on the Division of Graduate Studies website. An earlier deadline will

be set by the thesis committee chair so that there will be sufficient time for all members of the committee

to review the thesis prior to the deadline published by the Graduate Office. A maximum of 6 units of

Thesis 299 may count toward the 30 units required for the degree.

SPANISH MA: GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE THESIS:

1. The thesis committee cannot guarantee that the student will be able to graduate by a specific date.

The thesis will not be approved until and unless it meets the approval of all three thesis committee

members.

2. It is solely the student’s responsibility to download and learn how to use the thesis template from

the Graduate Studies website and to put the thesis in the format required by Graduate Studies. It is

also the student’s responsibility to put the citations and bibliography in the format required by the

latest MLA Handbook. It is strongly recommended that the student purchase the MLA Handbook.

3. The thesis must contain an original idea that the student will develop and support. The thesis must

constitute an original, significant contribution to Spanish letters.

4. The student’s thesis topic and bibliography must be approved by the advisor before the student

begins writing the thesis. In addition, the student will write a proposal explaining the topic of the

thesis in detail. Once the topic and proposal have been approved by the advisor, the student may

not deviate from the content of the proposal without consulting the thesis advisor.

5. The student must turn in each chapter for the advisor’s approval before beginning work on the

following chapter. The topic and general content of each chapter must be approved beforehand by

the advisor. It is advisable to turn in small portions of the thesis, rather than turn in sizeable

sections or multiple chapters.

6. It is the student’s responsibility to order all of the texts needed from the library or through

interlibrary loan in a timely manner. It is also the student’s responsibility to look for bibliographical

sources by searching all of the relevant databases, including (but not limited to) MLA, JSTOR,

MLA, and Project Muse. Please see: http://libguides.csufresno.edu/MCLL and

http://xerxes.calstate.edu/fresno/databases/subject/languages-and-literatures

7. The student must consult with his/her advisor in order to determine what Internet pages are valid

sources of information.

8. All deadlines are set by Graduate Studies, and it is the student’s responsibility to keep track

of all deadlines.

9. All advisors are available while courses are in session, unless explicit arrangements have been made

with the advisor to meet during the summer or the winter break.

PROJECT, SPANISH 298

GUIDELINES

This may be done in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam or Thesis, in particular if the student’s goal in

obtaining the MA is advancement in a job in the public school system. The Project should have practical

application in the field of education, or be an original creative work. The Project, unlike the Thesis, is

handled entirely through the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, and is not

submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies. Project students must follow procedures attached to the

Spanish 298 Project Committee Approval Form.

Membership on the Committee:

1. Participation on project committees is an academic obligation for professors of graduate courses;

2. The committee chair shall be a faculty member in Spanish and shall have the primary responsibility

for the supervision of the student’s work.

Responsibilities of the Committee:

1. The primary concern of every committee member shall be the quality of the student’s project

research and writing. The chair of the project is assumed to attest to the high standards expected of

a master’s project when s/he signs the final copies. The University Catalog (2007-2008, p. 493),

using the language of the CSU system, defines a project as follows:

● The finished project must evidence originality, appropriate organization, clarity of purpose,

critical analysis, and accuracy and completeness of documentation where needed.

● Critical and independent thinking should characterize every project. Mere description,

cataloging, compilation, and other superficial procedures are not adequate.

● The quality of writing, format, and documentation must meet standards appropriate for

publication in the scholarly journals of the field, or be consistent with the dictates of an

authorized stylebook.

Furthermore, the Graduate Studies website (http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/) defines

the project as follows:

● A project reflects applied field research or creative effort, often suited to the student’s

individual and/or professional goals;

● A project allows application of technical skills and knowledge with a practical emphasis.

2. The chair of the committee shall meet initially with the student to approve the project, bibliography

and methodology. A timetable shall be established to include reasonable deadlines for completion;

3. The chair of the committee will sign the project to indicate approval.

Eligibility for a Project (SPAN 298):

To be eligible to enroll in thesis or project units, students must have:

● been advanced to candidacy for the master’s degree;

● maintained a B (3.0) program grade point average;

● completed at least 9 units of their approved program on the Fresno campus;

Final Disposition of the Project:

1. A copy of the project will be deposited in the Department files, in order to be made available to the

committee that evaluates the Spanish MA program every five years;

2. Issuance of the MA Clearance Form is dependent upon filing the copy of the project in the

Department;

NOTE ON THESIS AND PROJECT GRADES: Enrollment in Thesis or Project units requires that

the student receive a final grade as is the case in any university course. However, each semester that the

student is working on the Thesis or project an “RP” (Report in Progress) grade is automatically recorded

on the student’s transcript. The Spanish MA Coordinator forwards the final grade to the Division of

Graduate Studies Office on a Graduate Degree Clearance form once the student has completed the Thesis

or Project. Students may not drop Thesis 299 or Project 298 units once an RP grade has been awarded.

Withdrawal from Thesis 299 or Project 298 must therefore take place by the published deadline for doing

so in the initial semester of enrollment.

Timeline to Completion of Thesis or Project

If the student has taken 6 units of Thesis (SPAN 299) or Project (SPAN 298) without completing the

thesis or project, s/he must enroll in SPAN 299C Thesis Continuation (0 units) or 298C Project

Continuation (0 units) until the Thesis or Project is finished, in accordance with University policy.

MA COURSE WORK IN SPANISH

In addition to the Language exam and a culminating experience (comprehensive exam, thesis, or project),

the MA Spanish degree requires students to complete 30 units of approved coursework. At least 18 of

these units must be Spanish graduate level courses 201 and above. A minimum of 24 units must be at the

200 level. Two courses from the 100 series may therefore be applied toward the degree if they were not

taken and used previously toward the BA in Spanish. Graduate students who wish to apply a 100 series

Spanish course toward their program must do additional work in the course since it is designed primarily

for undergraduates. Consult with the instructor for details. Three units are allowed for a course from

another department (see Appendix B). Credential courses, including CTET 161, are not allowed as part of

the 30 approved units. A maximum of 6 units of Spanish290 (Independent Study) are allowed.

Spanish 203 (Applied Literary Theory) is the only required course for the Spanish MA. The student may

choose the any of the rest of the courses to complete the 30 units required

PLEASE NOTE: 9 units per semester is considered “full-time” for graduate students. Spanish

MA coursework above 9 units will be dropped by the program unless the student petitions the

Graduate Coordinator for permission to take 12 units. Petitions will only be considered from

students with a 4.0 in the previous semester of their graduate work.

Culminating Experience: Again, for those who choose to enroll in Thesis or Project, a maximum of 6

units of Thesis 299 or Project 298 may count toward the 30 units required for the degree. No units are

given for taking a Comprehensive Examination.

Spanish courses that currently count toward the Spanish MA include:

100 series courses (if not previously taken)

Any 200 series courses in Spanish

145

Mexican Literature

The student MUST take:

147

Century Latin American Lit.

Spanish 203

148T

Major Figures in Hispanic Literature

149

Golden Age Literature

150

Century Peninsular Literature

165

Mod-1950

170

Senior Seminar *If a different topic than

previously taken by the student

For the description of these courses, consult the

General Catalog, Department of Modern

and Classical Languages and Literatures.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement

University policy requires graduate students to be continuously enrolled at the university: (1) while

completing a grade of “RP” in either thesis or project, or a grade of “RP” or “I” in any other course; (2)

while preparing to take a comprehensive examination; or (3) during the semester in which an application

for the degree to be granted is filed. This policy does not apply to those who are either enrolled in a course

for a letter grade or who have been officially granted a planned leave of absence. All students must

maintain continuous enrollment during all Fall and Spring Semesters and during any Summer Term in

which they apply to graduate. To maintain the required enrollment while completing a Thesis or Project,

students must enroll in Graduate Studies Continuation through University Enrollment (SPAN 299C or

SPAN 298C).

Application for Master’s Degree to Be Granted

An application for the Master’s degree to be granted (which includes a graduation application fee payable

at the Cashier’s Window in Joyal Administration Building) must be filed within the first two weeks of the

semester in which the work is to be completed. Applicants must be enrolled (See “Continuous

Enrollment” above). During the summer, the application must be filed before the end of the third week of

the first summer session.

D. APPEAL PROCESS

Grade Protests and Spanish MA Exams (Language and Comprehensive) Appeals are also

handled through this process.

The University Student Academic Petitions Committee has the responsibility of handling grade protests

for all students, undergraduate and post-baccalaureate/graduate. Students who believe they have been

graded unfairly or incorrectly by an instructor should consult first with the faculty member concerned

within the first 15 working days of the following semester and make every effort to resolve the issue. On

many occasions when students contact the instructor about a grade thought to be assigned unfairly, they

learn that the instructor actually made a recording error. This will be remedied when the instructor obtains

a Grade Correction Request form from the departmental secretary and submits the completed form to the

Admissions and Records Office. If the issue is not resolved, students should then consult with the

Department Chair who will give the student an answer in ten working days. If a student still believes that

the grade was assigned unfairly or incorrectly after completing this process, the student then may request

that the Student Academic Petitions Committee review the issue. Before requesting such a review, students

should make an appointment with an academic counselor in the Office of Advising Services (Joyal

Building, Rm. 224; Phone 278-1787) to discuss their particular situation and to receive a copy of the

university's grade protest policy as well as additional procedural instructions. Students then must submit a

written statement no later than mid semester setting forth all pertinent details to the Director of Advising

Services, who chairs the Petitions Committee.

Graduate Program Requirement Appeals

Appeals concerning State of California and University Graduate Program requirements are handled by the

University Graduate Committee.

II. Financial Aid and Assistance for Graduate Students

To find information on financial aid, go to the following web sites:

http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/financial/index.html

https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/financialaid/contact-us.html

III. Students with Disabilities

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures cooperates with the Office of

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students

with disabilities. If you have a disability and have not registered with SSD, we encourage your to do so.

After meeting with your SSD counselor, present your written accommodation request to your instructor as

soon as possible. If you experience any problems getting reasonable accommodations, please contact the

Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Dr. Natalie Muñoz

(278-2387),

nmunoz@csufresno.edu or SSD (278-2811).

IV. Qualifications for the Position of Teaching Associate (TA) in Spanish

A number of teaching associateships and graduate assistantships are available to graduate students who are

enrolled in a Master’s degree program and whose previous records show outstanding achievement in

academic work, outstanding subject matter competence in their major field(s), and the special qualities

necessary to do the duties assigned. Graduate Associate teaching positions are intended primarily to

provide financial support to students who demonstrate promise as future scholars and teachers. Under the

supervision of the TA Coordinator, Graduate Associates in Spanish acquire teaching experience through

paid teaching experience by teaching classes of elementary Spanish at Fresno State. Eligibility for an initial

appointment as a teaching associate or assistant in Spanish requires possession of a baccalaureate degree

and admission to the Master’s degree program in Spanish, with at least Conditional Classified Graduate

Standing. Subsequent appointments require that students maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and

demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of their graduate degree.

Spanish TAships are awarded each semester by a selection committee comprised of three Department

faculty members, one of whom shall be the TA Coordinator.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Must have taken SPAN 201: Teaching Spanish at the Post Secondary Level, or concurrently take

201 the first semester of teaching;

● Past academic performance in relevant coursework and future academic promise;

● Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish and English at advanced levels;

● Enrollment in a minimum of six units of approved coursework for use toward the MA in Spanish

(Note: In order to make satisfactory progress toward the MA degree, the student normally needs to

take a minimum of nine units, or three courses, of MA coursework each semester.)

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements stated above, the ideal candidate:

● will have knowledge of the grammatical structures of Spanish

● will be able to teach at least two semesters

● will have a clear idea of what skills and knowledge he or she possesses that will contribute to

making him or her an excellent language instructor

If interested, please contact the TA Coordinator, Elsa Castillo (elsac@csufresno.edu) for

application deadline and materials.

Reappointment Criteria:

● Availability of necessary funds in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and

Literatures;

● High academic performance;

● Satisfactory progress toward completion of the MA (not only in classes but on required MA exams

as well. In other words, number of classes successfully completed, no Incomplete Grades, not

putting off the taking of MA exams, etc.);

● Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in applicable coursework (See Advancement to Candidacy

above);

● Satisfactory evaluations from the Coordinator, and good student evaluations.

NOTE: Once TAs have completed 30 units of coursework,they are not eligible to continue as

Graduate Associates (with exception of the possibility of one extension to complete a culminating

experience: comprehensive exam, thesis or project).

V. Professional and Ethical Behavior of Spanish MA students

Spanish M.A. students are expected to behave ethically and professionally as teachers and scholars.

Therefore, these students must follow the University’s Honor Code as listed in the latest version

of the Academic Policy Manual. Additionally, these students must follow Spanish M.A. program’s

guidelines for professional and ethical behavior, which are based on excerpts taken from the

Modern Language association of America’s “Statement of Professional Ethics” (2004 revision of

that published in Profession 92). As M.A. students become full-time professional teachers and

scholars, and their duties as such increase, they should become familiar with the MLA’s Statement

in its entirety.

The entire statement is available online at:

www.mlajournals.org

“[…]” marks a break between material, or a substitution of (or addition to) words

excerpted verbatim from the Statement.

The following are excerpts that function as program guidelines:

As a community of teachers and scholars, [Spanish M.A. students] serve the larger society

by promoting the study and teaching of the modern languages and literatures. In order to

embrace this enterprise, we require freedom of inquiry. However, this freedom carries with

it the responsibilities of professional conduct. We intend this statement to embody

reasonable norms for ethical conduct in teaching and learning as well as in scholarship…

[…] Our integrity as teachers and scholars requires the responsible use of evidence in

developing arguments and fairness in hearing and reading the arguments of both

colleagues and students.

[…] As a community valuing free inquiry, we must be able to rely on the integrity and the

good judgment of our members. For this reason, we should not

● exploit or discriminate against others on grounds such as [language], race, ethnicity,

national origin, religious creed, age, gender, sexual preference, or disability

● sexually harass students, colleagues, or staff members

● use language that is prejudicial or gratuitously derogatory

● make capricious or arbitrary decisions affecting working conditions, professional

status,

● or academic freedom

● misuse confidential information

● plagiarize the work of others

● practice deceit or fraud on the academic community or the public…

[…]

[…] Our teaching and inquiry must respect our own cultures and the cultures we study.

Ethical Conduct in Service and Scholarship

[…] A [M.A. student] who borrows from the works and ideas of others, including those of

students, should acknowledge the debt, whether or not the sources are published.

Unpublished scholarly material—which may be encountered when it is read aloud,

circulated in manuscript, or discussed—is especially vulnerable to unacknowledged

appropriation, since the lack of a printed text makes originality hard to establish.

[…] Such relationships impose on researchers a special responsibility to guard the students

involved from such abuses as breach of confidentiality and research-related harm. [M.A.

students] should inform themselves of and observe institutional regulations and guidelines

on the use of human subjects in research.

[…]

VI. Appendices

APPENDIX A: MA Spanish Student’s Check List

Date Completed

Major Degree Steps

Remarks

TO APPLY TO THE SPANISH MA, COMPLETE THE FIRST THREE STEPS

GRE

**NOTE: The GRE requirement is waived for the Spanish MA.

Submit Graduate Post-baccalaureate

Application

Fill out an application online through Cal State Apply:

https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/Pages/default.aspx

Submit 3 letters of recommendation

to Dr. Medina-Sancho

Address letters to Dr. Medina-Sancho, Graduate Program Coordinator, MA Spanish.

*Email Dr. Medina-Sancho for more information: gmedina@csufresno.edu

Submit a writing sample to Dr.

Medina-Sancho

The writing sample (written in Spanish) should be between 10 and 12 pages. A

combination of essays will suffice, or a long essay will do as well.*Please

remove your name from the essay pages.

Submit a statement of purpose to

Dr. Medina-Sancho

You may submit the same statement of purpose you wrote for the University

application; this document may be written in Spanish or English.

ONCE ADMITTED, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Complete Conditionally Classified

Standing prerequisites, if any.

Complete the on-line

Plagiarism Workshop

*Take and pass Spanish Language Exam.

*The Spanish Language Exam is administered once a semester, at the very

beginning of the semester. Submit the registration form sent by email to all

Spanish MA students.

*Email Dr. Medina-Sancho after completion of the Plagiarism Workshop:

gmedina@csufresno.edu

*Complete any course prerequisites prescribed.

Ask G. Coordinator to Request

Classified Standing

Email Graduate Coordinator for an appointment: gmedina@csufresno.edu

Complete Graduate English Writing

Requirement

The research paper is described in Spanish MA Handbook. * Email Dr.

Medina-Sancho concerning Advancement to Candidacy: gmedina@csufresno.edu

Attain Advancement to

Candidacy (ATC)

Requirements are listed in Spanish MA Handbook.

Graduate Coordinator will recommend your candidacy to the Dean, Division of

Graduate Studies.

Complete All Coursework Listed

on the ATC form.

See details in Spanish MA Handbook.

Complete Culminating

Experience Listed on the ATC form.

See details in Spanish MA Handbook.

*The Comprehensive Exam is offered once a semester, toward the end of the

semester. Submit the registration form sent by Graduate Coordinator.

Observe Continuous Enrollment

Requirement, if Applicable.

See details in Spanish MA Handbook.

Observe Deadline for

Degree Application

See details in Spanish MA Handbook.

Deadline is published in General Catalog and Schedule of Courses.

APPENDIX B

Approved Courses From Other Departments

The following courses have been approved by the Spanish Graduate Committee for use toward the

student’s MA Spanish Program. Only three (3) units from this list may be used as part of the 30-unit

program. To include any other course not on this list, the student must obtain the prior approval in writing

from the Spanish Graduate committee. Note that credential courses in the Kremen School of Education,

such as CTET 161, may not be used toward the MA degree in Spanish.

Art

173

Pre-Columbian Mexico

Art

175

Pre-Columbian Andes

CLAS

112

Pre-Hispanic Civilizations

English

250T

Seminar in Literature

Seminar in Critical Theory

Geography

170T

Latin American Regions

Geography

172

Cultural Geography of Ancient America

History

145

Spain and Portugal

History

160

The Great American Civilizations: Maya, Aztec, Inca

History

162

South America

History

166

United States-Latin American Diplomacy

History

169T

Studies in Latin American history

History

188

Early California

Linguistics

100

General Linguistics

Linguistics

139

General Phonetics

Linguistics

148

Sociolinguistics

Linguistics

165

Language Acquisition

Linguistics

244

Curriculum Design and Classroom Evaluation

Linguistics

249

Field Methods in Linguistics

Philosophy

146

Philosophy of Language