The M.A. degree programs provide advanced preparation for the teaching of French or Spanish in high schools or community colleges, and for further graduate study. Following is information pertaining to admission to the program, requirements for conferral of degrees, graduate seminars list, graduate seminars schedule as well as the reading lists.
Trudeau, Danielle
French Professor, French Graduate Advisor
Clark Hall 429
408-924-4594
danielle.trudeau@sjsu.edu
Sempere, Juan Antonio
Spanish Professor, Spanish Graduate Advisor
Clark Hall 431
408-924-4592
jsempere@email.sjsu.edu
Graduate Studies Office
Student Services Center
9th and San Fernando Street
Mon-Thu: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: (408) 924-2480
Students who meet minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division, but do not meet one or more of the requirements for admission to Classified standing, may be admitted to Conditionally Classified graduate standing. A student who does not have a bachelor's degree in French or Spanish, but has an excellent command of the language, will be required to complete upper division courses (including at least 15 units of upper division work in the major) in addition to the Master's program with a GPA of 3.0 before they may petition for change of status from Conditionally Classified to Classified standing. Conditionally classified students must pass the proficiency exam to become classified.
French reading list [pdf]
Spanish reading list [pdf]
French exam preparation material [pdf]
French handbook [pdf]
Students must consult with the Graduate Advisor when they begin graduate studies and each semester thereafter to update records and check their progress. After completing at least nine units (9) of graduate work, but no later than one semester before completing course requirements for the degree, they must advance to candidacy for the degree. This entails filling out, in consultation with the Graduate Advisor, an official "Graduate Degree Program" form, listing all courses and other requirements for the degree. This form must then be approved by the Department Graduate Committee and the University Dean of Graduate Studies. They can be found in the Graduate studies website.
The minimum program for an M.A. in French or Spanish includes 30 semester units with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, of which at least: 15 must be at the graduate level (courses numbered 200-299) for the Spanish concentration and 18 for the French concentration. To complete the 30 units, additional courses can be taken at the 200-level and at the 100-level; the latter cannot be more than 12 units (French) 15 units (Spanish) and must not be required for the B.A. The graduate program of study must include as core courses three units in each area, Linguistics, Culture and Literature:
Three units (3) in Linguistics:
Three units (3) in Culture:
Three units (3) in Literature:
With the Graduate Advisor's approval, a maximum of nine (9) units of subjects closely related to the degree objective may be taken from other disciplines within the University. A maximum of six (6) graduate units are transferable from other universities, if approved by the Graduate Studies Office. Up to six (6) units of "Special Study" may be taken with the consent of the Graduate Advisor and the instructor, by a student who is already in the second semester of graduate work. Courses labeled 298 (Special study) and 299 (Master's Thesis) also require pre-registration in the Foreign Language Department.
Out of the total number of units for the M.A. program, no more than 12 units (40%) can be graded CR/NCR, including thesis. The grading CR/NCR applies to 298 and 299.
At the discretion of the Department, the candidate selects one of the following plans for completion of the degree:
Though the minimum university requirement for the M.A. degree is two semesters, the Department considers two academic years to be a more realistic time-frame in which to complete the various elements of the program. Students should devise, in close consultation with the Graduate Advisor, a program of studies which will lead to the timely completion of the degree. At the start of every semester, students must meet with the Graduate Advisor to report coursework completed the previous semester and to get approval for coursework currently pursuing, as well as to file the appropriate documents required by the university.
The Reading List of required texts for all M.A. candidates is included in the Master's Handbook, which all students receive upon their admission to the program. The readings constitute the foundation and common ground for discourse for all graduates of the program. They are used in the preparation of the final comprehensive examination and they serve as the literary, linguistic and cultural framework for the development of all Master's theses. Students who are not familiar with the works listed must read them on their own or enroll in the appropriate courses covering them.
All candidates to the M.A. must fulfill the University B.A. requirement in advanced English composition by taking FL 100W if their B.A. degree does not include a 100W class. Students who did not complete their undergraduate studies within the CSU system will need first, to take the WST (Writing Skills Test), then to enroll in FL100W. Those who score higher than 10/12 in the WST essay and 69 in the objective part may waive the course. Please consult with the Testing Office (as early as you can) for information regarding WST dates, deadlines and registration.
San José State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0039
Industrial Studies Building, room 228
Email: testeval@sjsu.edu
Phone: 408-924-5980
Fax: 408-924-5909
The completion of the program will culminate with either the taking of the Final Comprehensive M.A. Examination or the writing of the M.A. Thesis. The Petition for Plan Option must be presented to the Graduate Advisor two semesters prior to the semester of graduation. The Final Examination is administered once per semester during the thirteenth or fourteenth week of classes. Students writing a thesis will need to follow the guidelines provided by the Graduate Studies Office in its "General Instructions for Master's Thesis" and observe all specifications and deadlines set by the same office for completion of the project.
Please contact the Graduate Advisors for additional information and/or appointment.
Trudeau, Danielle
French Professor, French Graduate Advisor
Clark Hall 429
408-924-4594
danielle.trudeau@sjsu.edu
Sempere, Juan Antonio
Spanish Professor, Spanish Graduate Advisor
Clark Hall 431
408-924-4592
jsempere@email.sjsu.edu
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