2023-2024

Spanish, Master of Arts in Teaching

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

The Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish is designed to prepare you to apply the most current methods, strategies, and technologies for teaching Spanish in a classroom environment that fosters cultural diversity.

The MAT Spanish offers a professional foundation in the academic areas of Teaching and Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, and Linguistics to prepare teachers to excel in a rapidly changing classroom with an increasing number of bilingual and heritage language speakers.

Students (both native and non-native Spanish speakers) will be enrolled in graduate-level courses conducted entirely in Spanish. This will allow you to attain a high level of proficiency in the language.

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam is required.
Foreign Language

A foreign language is required.
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional

Purpose Statement

The Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish (MAT) is designed to prepare you to apply the most current methods, strategies, and technologies for teaching Spanish in a classroom environment that fosters cultural diversity.

The MAT Spanish offers a professional foundation in the academic areas of Teaching and Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, and Linguistics to prepare teachers to excel in a rapidly changing classroom with an increasing number of bilingual and heritage language speakers.

Students (both native and non-native Spanish speakers) will be enrolled in graduate-level courses conducted entirely in Spanish. This will allow you to attain a high level of proficiency in the language.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Develop detailed lesson-plans and assessment instruments, as well as effective activities and resources for teaching secondary and/or junior college level Spanish
  • Teach Spanish at the secondary and/or junior college level using the latest methodologies
  • Integrate technology into the teaching of Spanish to enhance students’ learning
  • Participate in scholarly activities related to the teaching of Spanish in the state of Arizona and in the US
  • Critically examine a variety of methods of Spanish Instruction
  • Critically examine current theories of Second-Language Acquisition
  • Integrate literature into the Spanish classroom to promote cultural awareness and provide context to language instruction
  • Develop teaching-related research projects that combine knowledge of the three areas of the MAT program: Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature
  • Analyze the linguistic features of the Spanish language at the sound, word, sentence and discourse levels and explain how they change across time, place and social groups

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • An academic essay written in Spanish
    • A Spanish oral interview after application the is submitted (a program coordinator will contact the applicant)
    • Personal Statement or Essay
Master's Requirements

  • This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

    • Teaching and Pedagogy Coursework: 12 units
    • Literature and Culture Coursework: 9-12 units
    • Linguistics Coursework: 9-12 units
    • Electives: 3 units


    Take the following 36 units:

  • Comprehensive Exam

    Please note that this academic plan does not lead to Arizona state teacher certification. Contact the College of Education for information about certification programs.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • While completing the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, students can start a Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish at NAU.

    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.

      Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Master's Requirements

      This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

      • Undergraduate Capstone: 6 units
      • Teaching and Pedagogy Coursework: 9 units
      • Literature and Culture Coursework: 9 units
      • Linguistics Coursework: 9 units
      • Electives: 3 units


      Take the following 36 units:

    • Comprehensive Exam

      Please note that this academic plan does not lead to Arizona state teacher certification. Contact the College of Education for information about certification programs.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.