Spanish (MAT)
- Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish (For applicants who possess an Illinois teaching certification)
- Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish (For applicants seeking Illinois teaching certification)
Mailing Address:
Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies (MC 315)
Office 1722 University Hall
601 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7117
Campus Location: 1729 UH
Program Codes: 20FS0297MAT (MAT); 20FS0297NDEG (Non-Degree)
Telephone: (312) 996-5218
E-mail: mexotic@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/depts/sfip/index.shtml
Head of the Department: Margarita Saona
Director of Graduate Studies: Steven Marsh
Graduate Program Administrator: Rocio Garcia
The Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies offers work leading to a Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish. This program is designed to meet the needs of certified elementary, middle, and high school teachers, as well as those who do not yet hold an Illinois Teaching Certification. A concentration in Heritage Language is available to students pursuing the MAT Spanish degree. The department also offers degrees in Hispanic Studies at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The MA and PhD program offer two concentrations: Hispanic Literary and Cultural Studies and Hispanic Linguistics.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements (please consult the department Web site http://www.uic.edu/depts/sfip/index.shtml for details):
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish
- Baccalaureate Field Spanish or related field.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.50/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of study.
- Tests Required Applicants are urged to take the GRE.
- Language Proficiency Applicants must give evidence of proficiency in spoken and written formal standard Spanish.
- Minimum English Language Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (new Internet-based TOEFL), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Sample of Writing in Spanish Applicants are required to submit one sample of their written work in Spanish in the form of an essay for an academic course.
- Letters of Recommendation For applicants who possess an Illinois teaching certification: three required from professors or supervisors in a teaching position; at least one should be from a professor in an upper-level or graduate Spanish course.
- For applicants seeking Illinois teaching certification: three required from professors; at least one should be from a professor in an upper-level or graduate Spanish course. Special cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Personal Statement A statement of 300 words is required in which applicants should address their reasons for applying to the Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish.
- Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants must apply and pay online, as well as submit transcripts from all institutions where a degree or academic credit was earned during the last eight years.
- Other Requirements Applicants for the Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish who possess an Illinois teaching certification need a current Type 03, Type 09, Type 10, or Type 29 Illinois certification to apply to the program.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish
For applicants who possess an Illinois teaching certification:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 36.
- Course Work All 36 must be taken in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies, the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, the Department of English, and the College of Education. No more than eight (8) semester hours of credit (two courses) will be accepted for transfer as part of the 36 required hours, and these credits must comply with University regulations and be approved by the program. Credit toward the degree is not given for any course in which the student receives a grade of less than B.
- Required Courses: SPAN 401, SPAN 407, SPAN 556/LING 556; and CI 413 or CI 504. Candidates must complete 5 additional courses chosen from the following categories:
- Literature and Latin American/Latino Cultures: SPAN 411, 414, 421, 422, 430, 431, 434, 435, 494.
- Linguistics, Language Policy, and Teaching: SPAN 400, 406, 408, 409, 427, 440, 487.
- Latin American and Latino Studies: LALS 501, LALS 502.
- Education: CI 464, 482, 540; EPSY 446, ED 430.*
- Of the five additional courses, at least 3 must be Spanish courses, at least 1 must be an Education course, and 1 course must be selected from the following: SPAN 400, 406, 408, 409, 427, 440, 487; CI 540.
- Comprehensive Examination Required.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Course work only. No other options are available.
* ED 430 is 3 hours; students will need to take one additional credit hour in order to meet the total hours required for the degree.
Concentration in Teaching of Spanish to Heritage Speakers
Candidates who wish to pursue the MAT in Spanish with a concentration in Teaching of Spanish to Heritage Speakers must complete the following: SPAN 401, 407, 556; and CI 413 or 504; either LALS 501 or 502; either SPAN 406 or 440; and 3 additional courses chosen from the above categories, one of which must be from the Education category.
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish
For applicants seeking Illinois teaching certification:
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 55.
- Course Work All 55 must be taken in the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies, the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, the Department of English, and the College of Education. No more than eight (8) semester hours of credit (two courses) will be accepted for transfer as part of the 55 required hours, and these credits must comply with University regulations and be approved by the program. Credit toward the degree is not given for any course in which the student receives a grade of less than B.
- Required Courses: SPAN 401, 448, 449,
451, 452; ED 402 or 403; ED 421 or 445; ED 432; CI 504, SPED 410. Candidates must complete three additional 400- or 500-level courses chosen from the categories below:
- Literature and Latin American/Latino Cultures: SPAN 411, 414, 421, 422, 430, 431, 434, 435, 494.
- Linguistics, Language Policy, and Teaching: SPAN 400, 406, 408, 409, 427, 440, 487, 505, 507, 540, 556, 557.
- Latin American and Latino Studies: LALS 501, LALS 502.
- Comprehensive Examination Required.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Course work only. No other options are available.
Concentration in Teaching of Spanish to Heritage Speakers
Candidates who wish to pursue the MAT in Spanish with a concentration in the Teaching of Spanish to Heritage Speakers and an Illinois teacher certification must complete the following: SPAN 401, 448, 449, 451, 452; CI 413 or CI 504, LALS 501 or LALS 502, and SPAN 406 or SPAN 440. In addition, students have to complete the following certification courses: ED 402 or 403; ED 421 or 445; ED 432; CI 504, SPED 410.
The teaching certificate is not automatically awarded upon successful completion of certification
and degree requirements. Before the certificate is issued, the candidate must file an application for the Illinois teaching certificate with the Council on Teacher Education. The candidate must also pass a series of examinations required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Basic Skills Test must be passed prior to applying for candidacy with theCouncil on Teacher Education. The Content Area Test must be passed before the candidate is allowed to student teach. The Assessment of Professional Teaching must be passed prior to certification. For information on application procedures, contact the Council on Teacher Education located in 3015 EPASW. See Council on Teacher Education and Secondary Education Program in the College of Education section of the catalog.
