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The PhD with en route MA

Students who wish to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Hispanic Languages and Literatures who do not already hold an MA in this field, or an appropriate MA in another department of the University of Pittsburgh or another accredited university must first earn an en route Master of Arts degree in our department.

To receive the en route Master of Arts (MA) degree in Hispanic Languages and Literatures, students must successfully complete the following requirements:

30 credits:  Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of coursework, chosen in consultation with an advisor, with grades of B or better.  This must include a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits of substantive coursework (eight [8] classes) in the department.  This should include

        -- a minimum of three (3) departmental core courses;

        -- at least four (4) courses in Latin American literature and cultural studies; and                  
        -- at least two (2) courses in the area that will constitute their minor field:
            Brazilian or Peninsular literature or cultural studies.

Core courses can often also count toward the major or minor field.  The remaining six (6) credits may be earned by any combination of courses taken outside the department (including transfer credits and 1000-level courses), and a maximum of three (3) credits of Directed Study (SPAN 2902) (permission required).  A Directed Study course could be used to develop a topic related to the PhD Preliminary examination research paper.  The six (6) credits can also be earned by taking two (2) additional departmental courses.

The PhD Preliminary examination: The PhD Preliminary exam is given in the spring term of every academic year.  It consists of two parts.  The first is a 30-page research paper that is submitted before the written exams and is graded as one part of the exam.  The second part consists of a two-day, written exam covering major and minor areas of specialization selected by the students in consultation with their graduate advisors.  The PhD Preliminary exam is usually taken during the fourth term in residence and is required of all students who intend to earn the PhD degree, including those who have received an MA degree elsewhere.

Successfully passing the PhD Preliminary examination with a grade of high pass or better satisfies the requirements for the en route MA and allows the student to continue working toward the PhD.

The requirements for the PhD include: 

72 credits.  Students must complete a total of 72 credits, including a minimum of 48 credits of substantive course work in departmental offerings in Hispanic Languages and Literatures.  The remaining 24 credits can be taken in preparation for examinations, independent study and dissertation studies (up to 12 credits) and additional coursework in this or another department or program (12 or more credits).

Portuguese Language Requirement:  All students are required to present evidence of reading knowledge of Portuguese prior to the presentation of their PhD proposals.

PhD Comprehensive Exam: The PhD Comprehensive exam is a focused and in-depth examination designed to test the students’ knowledge of major problems and debates within the areas of specialization related to their dissertation proposals.  The PhD Comprehensive, which is usually taken in the seventh or eighth term, consists of both written and oral components.

Oral Overview of Dissertation Proposal: The oral overview, conducted concurrently with the PhD Comprehensive exam, is the exegesis and defense of the dissertation proposal.  The prospectus is a detailed outline of the dissertation project laying out the topic, theoretical context, structure, and arguments of the project.

PhD Dissertation and Oral Defense: The completion and defense of the doctoral dissertation fulfills the final requirements for the PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literatures.  The dissertation is usually presented in English; however, prior permission to present it in another language may be requested from the Graduate School.

Areas of Specialization: 

All students specialize in Latin American literature and cultural studies.  In consultation with their graduate advisors, students must designate a minor field of specialization (Peninsular or Brazilian literature or cultural studies).  Reading lists (available on request in the graduate office of the department) of major works within these fields and core courses form the basis of the PhD Preliminary exam.

Prior to taking the PhD Preliminary exam, within the eight (8) substantive courses taken in the department, students must complete at least four courses in the major field and two in the minor field.