COURSE CURRICULUM

The Romance Languages MA at The University of Alabama is a flexible 30–36 credit graduate program that trains students in French, Spanish, or a combination of Romance languages, with options for both thesis and non-thesis tracks and two main focus areas: literature/culture and linguistics. Students can specialize in French, Spanish, or combine both languages without a concentration, and each pathway is designed to build advanced language proficiency, intercultural competence, and strong analytical skills in literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. The curriculum typically includes a core teaching practicum (required for graduate teaching assistants), foundational coursework in theory and methodology, graduate seminars, and specialized electives covering topics such as Francophone or Hispanic literature, language acquisition, phonetics, bilingualism, translation, cinema, gender studies, and critical theory. In thesis options, students complete around 6 thesis credit hours alongside coursework, while non-thesis options replace the thesis with additional electives and a comprehensive examination. A key feature of the program is its emphasis on applied training: students develop pedagogical skills through a practicum, gain experience in research methods and theoretical frameworks, and are expected to demonstrate high-level written and spoken proficiency in their target language(s) through writing samples, oral/video assessments, and comprehensive exams. The program also supports Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) students and offers teaching assistantships with stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance for qualified candidates. Comprehensive exams vary by concentration and focus area but generally assess knowledge across literature, linguistics, culture, and methodology through multi-day written and oral components. Overall, the degree is structured for students aiming toward PhD study, academic careers, or professional roles requiring advanced multilingual, analytical, and teaching skills, combining rigorous academic coursework with practical communication and instructional training in a global cultural context.