All Graduate Programs

Spanish concentration in the MA in Foreign Languages (On-Campus option, Online option)

--The Spanish concentration can be completed FULLY ONLINE--

The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish offers students an opportunity to study a wide variety of topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Coursework includes the academic study of the language, literature, and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (including the US) as well as applied linguistics, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, film studies, and Latinx studies. 

Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.

Spanish and French concentration in the MA in Foreign Languages

The MA in foreign languages with a concentration in French and Spanish allows graduate students to pursue a multilingual path of scholarship and an array of international opportunities. This expanded master’s degree combines the basic requirements of the concentrations in French and Spanish, with additional opportunities for electives and an optional thesis.

Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.

Spanish/Bilingual-Multicultural Education concentration in the MA in Foreign Languages

The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish/Bilingual- Multicultural Education combines courses in Spanish offered in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages with select courses in multicultural education offered by the College of Education and Human Development. This degree prepares individuals to effectively teach Spanish in diverse settings, including second language, heritage language, and mixed classes, as well as multicultural learning contexts. Virginia Licensure is available with additional coursework beyond the degree. 

Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.

Accelerated MA in Foreign Languages

The Accelerated Master’s Degree program allows Mason’s highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduates to begin graduate study while still completing their BA. This allows them to earn an MA in a reduced amount of time, and at significantly reduced cost. Students accepted to the Accelerated Master’s Degree (BAM) program can complete both degrees with as few as 138 credits!

Students in the Accelerated Master’s degree in Foreign Languages can choose either the concentration in Chinese, Spanish or the concentration in Spanish/Bilingual-Multicultural Education.

Spanish concentration in the Accelerated MA in Foreign Languages

Spanish/Bilingual Multicultural Education concentration in the Accelerated MA in Foreign Languages

Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education (On-Campus option, Online option)

The Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education is a 15-credit online program that can be taken alone or in conjunction with the MA in Foreign Languages or another Mason graduate degree (and may not require additional credits!). Students develop familiarity with the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy and practice; and social justice-oriented and critical approaches to teaching Spanish. The certificate prepares educators and affiliated professionals to advocate for heritage speakers of Spanish as well as to develop and implement teaching materials, curricula, and pedagogies for Spanish heritage language education.