Masters in Hispanic Studies

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MRP-based MA

The Graduate Program in Hispanic Studies offers two options for the MA. As of September 2023, students will have the option of doing a one year MRP based Masters or a two year thesis based Masters. Applications for Fall 2024 will open October 15, 2023.
In consultation with the Graduate Chair and with the appropriate Supervisor, students complete 6 half-courses (2 mandatory and 4 optional), attend the colloquium (Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hispanic Studies), complete the Second Language Proficiency & Professionalization milestone, and write a Major Research Paper (MRP).  The topic is selected in consultation with the Supervisor. 
Among the 6 half-courses: SP9505 'Research Methods and Professionalization' and SP9613 'Principles of Language Teaching and Acquisition' are mandatory. Both courses are taught in the fall term and are foundations for the development of the Major Research Paper (MRP) and for the teaching responsibilities of our graduate students. 
The aim of the Second Language Proficiency & Professionalization milestone is to provide students with a set of skills to properly conduct research in two languages: domestic students will improve their Spanish, and international students their English. This milestone may be waived for fully bilingual students, who can demonstrate that they have previous formal education in both languages.
In line with University policy, international students must submit proof of their English Language Proficiency before they can graduate from the program. Details on the proof of English Language Proficiency accepted at Western can be found on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website here.

A One Year M.A. will look like this:

Fall

  • Colloquium-Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hispanic Studies. Fall and Winter/bi-weekly meetings.
  • SP 9505 Research Methods (Course 1). The final assignment in the course will be a brief proposal for the MRP
  • SP 9613 Principles of Language Teaching and Acquisition (Course 2)
  • Course 3

Winter

  • Colloquium-Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hispanic Studies. Fall and Winter/bi-weekly meetings.
  • Course 4
  • Course 5
  • Course 6
  • MRP Proposal to Grad Chair with Supervisor approval (March 1)
  •  Set ELP date and communicate with grad chair or program coordinator

Summer

  • Work on MRP
  • Submit MRP to supervisor for review (May 31)
  • Submit MRP to Grad Chair with Supervisor approval (June 10)
  • MRP returned by reviewer to Grad Chair with pass/fail result (June 30)
  • Student resubmits MRP to examiner with corrections (July 10)
  • Examiner final verdict to Grad Chair (no later than July 15)
  • Complete ELP and submit to program coordinator
Dates and Details for MRP Completion

These dates are based on completing by the end of the third term, thereby allowing the student to be eligible for Fall Convocation.

Dates may be adjusted on individual supervisor/student schedules.

  • i) MRP possible results: Pass/Fail; with option of Pass with Distinction. It is advisable that the reviewer provides the student with a paragraph with comments/feedback about their work. Pass/Fail is assessed on a minimum grade of 70% to pass.
  • ii) Two weeks will be given for the examiner to review the MRP.
  • iii) One week will be given to the student in the case of corrections requested by the examiner.
  • iv) One week will be given to the examiner to review the corrections.
  • v) MRP can be written in either English or Spanish.
  • vi) MRP should be 40-60 pages, including notes, bibliography, and other appendices (if necessary).

 

Thesis-based MA

With the approval of the Graduate Committee and with the appropriate Supervisor, students complete 6 half-courses and write a thesis.  The topic is selected in cosultation with the Supervisor.  The decision to pursue the thesis option should be decided by the end of the first term of the first year in the program. 
In accordance with University regulations for graduate supervision, each student writing a thesis will have a Supervisor and a Second Reader.  A student approved to write a M.A. thesis, must complete a 5-10 page proposal by the end of the second term of the first year. 
For formatting guidelines, submission details, and examination procedures, please visit Western's School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Thesis web page. 
Thesis Regulations can be found on the SGPS website as well, at the following link
A Hispanic Studies Masters Thesis ranges in length from 60 to 100 pages excluding the bibliography and other appendices.  Every thesis is unique, this should be determined in discussion with your thesis supervisor. 

A typical thesis-based M.A. will look like this:

First Year in The Program:  

Coursework

Term 1 (Fall)

  • Transatlantic Studies Seminar or Research Methods (courses are offered in alternate years, and may be offered in either term) This is course 1
  • Course 2
  • Course 3

Term 2 (Winter)

  • Transatlantic Studies Seminar or Research Methods (courses are offered in alternate years, and may be offered in either term) course 1
  • Course 4
  • Course 5

Term 3 (Summer)

  • English Proficiency

Thesis

Term 1 (Fall)

  • Draft ideas for M.A. Thesis topic
  • By the end of the term, speak with potential thesis supervisor and seek approval of the Graduate Committee

Term 2 (Winter)

Term 3 (Summer)

  • After approval, begin work on M.A. Thesis

Second Year in The Program:  

Coursework

Term 4 (Fall)

  • Transatlantic Studies Seminar or Research Methods (courses are offered in alternate years, and may be offered in either term) This is course 1
  • Course 2
  • Course 3

Term 5 (Winter)

  • Transatlantic Studies Seminar or Research Methods (courses are offered in alternate years, and may be offered in either term) course 1
  • Course 4
  • Course 5

Term 6 (Summer)

  • English Proficiency

Thesis

Term 4 (Fall)

  • Draft ideas for M.A. Thesis topic
  • By the end of the term, speak with potential thesis supervisor and seek approval of the Graduate Committee

Term 5 (Winter)

Term 6 (Summer)

  • After approval, begin work on M.A. Thesis