Spanish Language and Literature PhD

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL) at the University at Buffalo, trains students to develop new knowledge about the languages, literatures and cultures of the Romance languages, as well as the cultures and diasporic communities with which they have remained in sustained contact. Students in RLL are prepared to participate in critical discussions in the discipline and engage meaningfully with the scholarship of colleagues in neighboring disciplines.

Curriculum

Some graduate courses from the core curriculum offer surveys of a particular period, genre or linguistic discipline, and students are encouraged to take advantage of such courses when they are offered. However, many graduate courses are more specialized classes designed to give students research experience with non-canonical texts, new ideas and innovative approaches that may later inform directly or indirectly the direction taken in the dissertation. These various components, along with the language requirement, prepare students to conduct research and contribute to their fields.

Students must complete at least 20 graduate courses (60 credits). A total of 10 courses (30 credits) of relevant coursework may be transferred from another institution. Graduate courses are designed to introduce students to a particular topic and to prepare them to do research in the field. Assessment is based primarily on a major research project and associated assignments leading up to it. The PhD program allows students the flexibility to design their own program of study in consultation with their advisor, but they must take at least one course in each general area of their field:

Required Core (12 credits)

RLL 501LEC - Intro Romance Lang & Lit Credits: 3
Plus, at least one course in each of the following areas:
- Peninsular Literature
- Spanish American Literature
- Spanish Linguistics

Elective Courses (60 credits)

Select from all SPA and RLL graduate courses

Dissertation (12 credits)

SPA 700TUT - Dissertation Guidance Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

72 Hours

Time-To-Degree

5 Years

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.