Degree Programs

The Spanish Program at the University of South Carolina invites you to pursue the in-depth study of literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world through its MA and PhD in Spanish, and provides the opportunity to participate in the intellectual and social life of a vibrant department while obtaining an advanced degree. You can work with renowned scholars to experience firsthand how new ideas are created through the research process. Our department fosters interdisciplinary growth through its strengths in cultural studies, film studies, gender studies, literary history and theory, linguistics and pedagogy, and comparative literature. The PhD in Spanish Studies aims to bridge both sides of the Atlantic with students pursuing original research in Hispanic Studies, Transatlantic Studies, as well as literary and cultural studies of the Spanish-speaking world.

In addition to literary and cultural studies, for the MA, students may select a concentration in Hispanic Linguistics, and may concurrently pursue the PhD in Comparative Literature or in Linguistics (with possible minor specialization in Hispanic Studies), or the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Students interested in certification to teach Spanish in the public schools pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching, and complete graduate study in the Spanish Program and in the College of Education.

For information about the M.A.T. in Foreign Languages (Spanish), see here.

Financial Support

The Spanish Program offers graduate assistantships for students admitted to graduate degree programs, and are awarded on the basis of merit. All graduate assistants undergo both theoretical and practical training in order to prepare them to teach language courses. In addition, they may assist with other duties, including working in the Foreign Language Learning Center, tutoring and leading extracurricular activities for undergraduate students. Graduate students may apply for financial support to attend academic conferences and for dissertation completion.

Special support is available through Presidential Doctoral Recruiting and Diversity Fellowships, the Office of the Provost and College of Arts & Sciences’ Bridge Humanities Corps, Trustee Fellowships, and Dissertation Completion Fellowships from the Graduate School, College of Arts & Sciences, and the Bilinski Foundation.

Professionalization & Cultural Activities

The Spanish Program organizes a bi-annual Conference on Transatlantic Studies and a Research Lecture Series with outside scholars. The departmental graduate student organization organizes professional activities, including an annual Graduate Student Conference and is inaugurating a Graduate Student Journal. There is also a Spanish Club, conversation group (Tertulia), Honor Society (Sigma Delta Pi), film series, and more.

Job Placement

Graduate students receive extensive training and experience in teaching and conducting research at the university level in preparation for a broad range of both academic and non-academic positions upon completing their degree. Graduates have been successful in securing teaching positions at such universities as Clemson, Florida State, Indiana, Tulane, Vanderbilt, and the University of Virginia, as well as in secondary education, translation, business and law/government.