A group of students talking to each other in a classroom.

Spanish Language Teaching (MA)

Teach others a rich cultural heritage as you teach them Spanish. Designed for current or future educators, our flexible program equips you with the knowledge and confidence to teach high school or college students.

Where It Is Offered
Commerce Online
Duration 2 years
Total Credit Hours 30-36 credit hours
Thesis Requirements Thesis and non-thesis options available
Foreign Language No foreign language credits required

Sumérgete en Español

Advance your understanding of the diverse expressions of the Spanish language in a multiplicity of Hispanic communities and cultures. Offered fully online, our master's degree in Spanish Language Teaching provides a solid foundation in Spanish language and linguistics. Designed for current or future educators, our flexible program equips you with the knowledge and confidence to teach high school or college students. Our degree also prepares you for Ph.D. programs in Spanish literature or Hispanic linguistics. Enlighten the future generations through the wonders of language. Es tiempo de seguir tu pasión.

Group of students around a table studying Spanish books.

See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Spanish Language Teaching

Students looking at computer together in lab.

Dedicated Faculty

Take your love for Spanish to greater heights. Receive one-on-one mentorship from our renowned faculty as you develop your language skills and research topics that interest you.

Career Readiness

Thinking critically and communicating effectively. That’s what employers are looking for. The College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts is dedicated to providing you the knowledge and resources for excelling in the workforce.

Enrich Your Education

Take a closer look at Hispanic literature, film, visual arts, mass-media and architecture within its historical context. Learn how to take this knowledge to the high school or college classroom by studying pedagogy and curriculum development.

Global Cultural Festival - People holding international flags.

Join Our Community

Participate in meaningful conversations with like-minded scholars. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with professors and peers as you explore Hispanic culture, language and linguistics.

Smiling asian girl student study in library with laptop books.

Focus Your Passion

The Department of Literature and Languages offers four different tracks to cater to your research interests and career goals. Discover which program works best for you.

Thesis (MA)

Work with a committee of faculty as you research and write your original project. If you plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Hispanic linguistics or Spanish pedagogy, we recommend this track. The program requires a minimum of 6 hours of thesis coursework.
Total credit hours: 30

Non-Thesis (MA)

Are you looking to improve your language literacy and pedagogical expertise? The non-thesis track is designed for you. You’ll take courses in language pedagogy, curriculum design and instructional methods for the Spanish classroom.
Total credit hours: 36

View Full Curriculum

What You Will Learn

A master’s degree in Spanish Language Teaching will offer you the opportunity to:

  • Study Spanish language, literature, film and culture
  • Take courses in pedagogy and curriculum design
  • Participate in academic conferences and panel discussions
  • Research relevant topics that interest you from language theory to Hispanic culture
  • Critically explore second language learning and acquisition
Female teacher with elementary age girl at school desk.

Internship opportunities

Internship experience provides the foundation employers are often looking for. Although not required for your degree, internships are an important part of your education experience. These are just a few of the companies that partner with Student Career Preparedness and offer opportunities for A&M-Commerce Spanish students.

Pen/Faulkner logo.
Inter-American Foundation (IAF) logo.
Crossroads Community Service (CCS) logo.

Featured Courses

Teaching Heritage Languages SPA 513

Examine core concepts and instructional perspectives in the field of Heritage Language Education, focusing on the teaching of Spanish to bilingual learners of Hispanic heritage. Analyze aspects of heritage language acquisition, development and maintenance, and explore topics related to the U.S. Hispanic communities and Spanish varieties in the U.S. Examine and adapt pedagogical approaches and specific content for teaching Spanish to heritage learners.

Spanish Literature and Film of the 20th and 21st Centuries SPA 575

An exploration of the modern and postmodern thought that has shaped Spanish culture in the 20th century, and those that continue to affect Spanish culture and the production of art in the 21st century.

Sociolinguistics for Teaching Spanish SPA 543

Critically explore social and cultural variables in the development and diversification of the Spanish language around the world. Analyze language variation from multimodal and pedagogical perspectives, and create and adapt diverse resources, technologies and activities for Spanish language instruction.

Children's and Adolescent Literature in Spanish SPA 505

A comparative, analytical and theoretical approach of canonical children's and adolescent literature (Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and others) and the Spanish versions of these works and its presentation in the classroom.

From Multiculturalism to Nationalism: Early Spanish Literature and Culture SPA 550

This course represents a survey of major works of literature and art of the Spanish Medieval and Golden Age periods within the context of politics, religion, gender, and society.

Spanish Curriculum Design SPA 544

Revise key concepts in language curriculum design and analyze different curriculum models adapted to specific instructional settings. Examine and evaluate different frameworks and curricular approaches for designing Spanish curricula, including analysis of programs, syllabi, and materials. Special emphasis will be given to the needs analysis perspective to support informed decisions in the design process.

View Full Curriculum In The University Catalog
Hispanic man standing in computer lab.

Course Delivery and Resources

Our flexible program is designed for current educators and working professionals. We offer face-to-face courses at our main campus location, but you can also complete this degree fully online.

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.

Tuition Calculator
Financial Aid
Scholarships

Spanish (MA) :: Program Admission Requirements US

Admissions

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Note: International students are not accepted at this time.

Submit Application

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Spanish Language Teaching, MA” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:

If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

Please write in Spanish. Please include no more than two pages.

  • Why do you want to study Spanish?
  • What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals? Short term education goals, long term career goals.
  • Why are you a good fit for our university?

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

You do not need to complete a departmental interview if

  • Spanish is your first (maternal) language,
  • You lived and studied in a Spanish-speaking country for 5 or more years or
  • You have completed a minor or major in Spanish

Interviews may be conducted face-to-face or by phone with Dr. Flavia Belpoliti.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Back to menu

Spanish (MA) :: Program Admission Requirements Intl.

Deadlines

  • Fall admission consideration: June 1
  • Spring admission consideration: October 15
  • Summer admission consideration: March 15

Submit Application

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Spanish Language Teaching, MA” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $75 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

  • Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
    Texas A&M University-Commerce
    Attn: Graduate School
    2600 S. Neal St.
    Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Request one signed, and dated letter of recommendation; on official agency or organization letterhead, preferably from a past professor, college instructor, or from a professional who currently supervises the applicant or who has in the past and can attest to their academic preparedness to succeed in the program. That individual should:

If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428

Please write in Spanish. Please include no more than two pages.

  • Why do you want to study Spanish?
  • What do you hope this degree leads to? What are your goals? Short term education goals, long term career goals.
  • Why are you a good fit for our university?

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:

  • a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.00 GPA overall or higher
  • a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.00 GPA overall or higher
  • 3.00 GPA or higher on last 60 hours of undergraduate degree

If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.

You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.

Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:

  • TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
  • IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
  • PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
  • Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)

*Scores must be less than two years old.

Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted

  • Official sponsor statement
  • Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old

You do not need to complete a departmental interview if

  • Spanish is your first (maternal) language,
  • You lived and studied in a Spanish-speaking country for 5 or more years or
  • You have completed a minor or major in Spanish

Interviews may be conducted face-to-face or by phone with Dr. Flavia Belpoliti.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Back to menu

We are here to help!

Alum Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist for College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts/Adjunct Faculty
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator: College of Business, College of Humanities Social Sciences and Arts, and Non-Degree
Flavia Belpoliti, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director of Spanish Grad Studies
Hunter Hayes, Ph.D. Department Head and Associate Professor

Contact Us

START YOUR JOURNEY! Two buttons

START YOUR JOURNEY!

Apply
Visit
Back to menu

Related Degree Programs

Navigate This Page