Italian and Spanish Studies

MA Program (Coursework-Only Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of 7.0 undergraduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) in Italian, including the following: 3.0 FCEs in Italian literature (students must have at least 0.5 FCE in each of three out of four different periods: medieval, Renaissance, seventeenth to eighteenth centuries, nineteenth to twenty-first centuries) and an appropriate upper-year 1.0 FCE in language.

• Minimum B+ standing in their University of Toronto 300- and 400-series courses (or in equivalent courses).

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors most familiar with the applicant's work.

• A personal statement of intent.

• The department will determine whether applicants need to complete prerequisite work in order to qualify for admission. Applicants will be advised accordingly.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • ITA1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian.

  • 3.5 graduate FCEs including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

• A student's program of study must be approved by the department.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS); 15 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

MA Program (Coursework Plus Thesis Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of 7.0 undergraduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) in Italian, including the following: 3.0 FCEs in Italian literature (students must have at least 0.5 FCE in each of three out of four different periods: medieval, Renaissance, seventeenth to eighteenth centuries, nineteenth to twenty-first centuries) and an appropriate upper-year 1.0 FCE in language.

• Minimum B+ standing in their University of Toronto 300- and 400-series courses (or in equivalent courses).

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors most familiar with the applicant's work.

• A personal statement of intent.

• The department will determine whether applicants need to complete prerequisite work in order to qualify for admission. Applicants will be advised accordingly.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • ITA1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian.

  • 2.5 graduate FCEs including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

• MA thesis, subject to approval by the MA thesis supervisor.

• A student's program of study must be approved by the department.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS); 15 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of the University of Toronto MA or its equivalent with an overall average of at least A– in courses. Please note that an A– average does not guarantee admission to the program.

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors most familiar with the applicant's work.

• A personal statement of intent.

• A statement of research and proposed plan of study.

• A writing sample.

• A curriculum vitae (CV) in English.

• Notes:

  • Applicants with an Italian laurea magistrale/specialistica may apply for admission to the PhD program.

  • Applicants with a degree equivalent to a PhD (for example, an Italian dottorato di ricerca, a PhD, a diploma di perfezionamento, etc.) cannot be accepted to the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students normally complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 3.5 graduate FCEs including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

  • ITA1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian.

• Language requirements. Students must show evidence of written and oral command of Italian; and, not later than the beginning of Year 3 of PhD registration, must have demonstrated a reading knowledge of at least two languages to be approved by the students' thesis supervisor. If no supervisor has been assigned, an approval from the Associate Chair, Graduate is needed.

• Program progress. All students must maintain a minimum A– average in order to remain in the program.

• Upon completion of all course requirements, and not later than Year 2 of the PhD program, students will complete the series of written and oral qualifying examinations.

• Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis. Permission to write the thesis in Italian (subject to final approval by the School of Graduate Studies) may be granted to students who first pass a supervised essay-type English examination to demonstrate proficiency in writing correct and idiomatic English prose.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Exceptional students may be admitted directly to the PhD program from the BA with a minimum A– average. Such applicants will apply to the MA program, but indicate in a separate letter to the Graduate Coordinator that they wish to be considered for direct admission to the PhD program.

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors most familiar with the applicant's work.

• A personal statement of intent.

• A statement of research and proposed plan of study.

• A writing sample.

• A curriculum vitae (CV) in English.

• Notes:

  • Applicants with an Italian laurea magistrale/specialistica may apply for admission to the PhD program.

  • Applicants with a degree equivalent to a PhD (for example, an Italian dottorato di ricerca, a PhD, a diploma di perfezionamento, etc.) cannot be accepted to the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students normally complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 7.5 graduate FCEs, including a mandatory extra-departmental course (0.5 FCE) and up to two other extra-departmental courses (1.0 FCE) chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

  • ITA1000H Methodologies for the Teaching and Study of Italian.

• Language requirements. Students must show evidence of written and oral command of Italian; and, not later than the beginning of Year 3 of PhD registration, must have demonstrated a reading knowledge of at least two languages to be approved by the students' thesis supervisor. If no supervisor has been assigned, an approval from the Associate Chair, Graduate is needed.

• Program progress. All students must maintain a minimum A– average in order to remain in the program.

• Upon completion of all course requirements, and not later than Year 2 of the PhD program, students will complete the series of written and oral qualifying examinations.

• Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis. Permission to write the thesis in Italian (subject to final approval by the School of Graduate Studies) may be granted to students who first pass a supervised essay-type English examination to demonstrate proficiency in writing correct and idiomatic English prose.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

MA Program; Field: Hispanic Linguistics

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree in Spanish or a cognate discipline from a recognized university with at least a B+ average in the final year or over senior courses.

• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish with a general background in Hispanic linguistics, normally demonstrated through undergraduate coursework.

• Applicants must have completed an introductory 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) in linguistics at the undergraduate level (LIN101H and LIN102H, or equivalent). Applicants who have not completed an introductory linguistics course as part of their undergraduate studies must complete LIN101H and LIN102H in the summer directly preceding their admission to the MA program.

• Applicants apply online and should arrange for electronic submission of the following materials:

  • A one-page statement of purpose, outlining the applicant's areas of interest (in English).

  • A sample of written work in Spanish (10 to 12 pages double spaced).

  • Two letters of recommendation, ideally in English (one of the letters must comment on the applicant's fluency in Spanish).

  • A curriculum vitae in English.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) at the graduate level as follows:

  • 1.5 FCEs in Hispanic Linguistics courses offered by the Department of Italian and Spanish Studies.

  • 1.5 FCEs in linguistics courses offered by the Department of Linguistics. Students without a strong background in linguistics are encouraged to select from the following: LIN1028H, LIN1029H, LIN1032H.

  • 0.5 FCE in linguistics courses offered by cognate units, with departmental approval (for example, French Language and Literature; Linguistics).

  • SPA1096H From Reflective Planning to Delivery in Language Teaching.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW); 6 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

MA Program; Field: Hispanic Literatures and Cultures

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree in Spanish or a cognate discipline from a recognized university with at least a B+ average in the final year or over senior courses.

• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish with a general background in Hispanic literature, normally demonstrated through undergraduate coursework.

• Applicants apply online and should arrange for electronic submission of the following materials:

  • A one-page statement of purpose, outlining the applicant's areas of interest (in English).

  • A sample of written work in Spanish (10 to 12 pages double spaced).

  • Two letters of recommendation, ideally in English (one of the letters must comment on the applicant's fluency in Spanish).

  • A curriculum vitae in English.

Completion Requirements

• Students must select and specialize in one geographic area of study in accordance with distribution requirements for the field:

  • Latin American Literature and Culture.

  • Spanish Peninsular Literature and Culture.

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 1.5 FCEs in their chosen geographic area of study.

  • 0.5 FCE in the other geographic area of study.

  • For students specializing in Latin American Literature and Culture, an additional 0.5 FCE in pre-1700 literature and culture.

  • SPA1096H From Reflective Planning to Delivery in Language Teaching.

  • 1.0 to 1.5 elective FCEs dependent on the geographic area of study. Courses should be in the student's area of academic interest and chosen in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies. Up to one half course (0.5 FCE) may be taken outside the department from a cognate unit (for example, Comparative Literature; French Language and Literature; History; Linguistics; Medieval Studies; Women and Gender Studies).

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FW); 6 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

PhD Program; Field: Hispanic Linguistics

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Master's degree from a recognized university in an appropriate discipline with an average of A– or higher. Applicants apply online and should arrange for electronic submission of the following material:

  • A one-page statement of purpose, outlining the applicant's areas of interest (in English).

  • A sample of written work in Spanish (10 to 12 pages double spaced).

  • Two letters of recommendation, ideally in English (one of the letters must comment on the applicant's fluency in Spanish).

  • A curriculum vitae in English.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs).

  • Course selection is proposed to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, who reviews and approves the plan in consultation with the faculty supervisor to ensure they relate to the proposed research area of the thesis. Students are expected to select from available courses in Hispanic Linguistics and appropriate courses offered by cognate units (for example, French Language and Literature; Linguistics). For the purpose of general academic preparation, each student must also choose courses in three other areas of linguistics to be chosen from those offered by the Graduate Department of Italian and Spanish Studies (phonetics/phonology; morphology/syntax; sociolinguistics; acquisition [L2 or L1]) or by cognate units (e.g., semantics; psycholinguistics, computational linguistics).

  • 0.5 FCE in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures if not previously completed at the master's level.

  • SPA1096H From Reflective Planning to Delivery in Language Teaching.

  • Students are expected to complete their coursework in Year 1. However, with the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, up to 1.0 FCE may be taken in Year 2.

  • Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in order to remain in good academic standing.

• By March 25 of Year 1, each student must seek approval from the Graduate Advisory Committee for the proposed area of their thesis and the membership of the Field Examination Committee (normally the proposed thesis supervisor and two other members of the graduate faculty). The Graduate Advisory Committee will respond in writing by May 1 of the same year. The final decision in this matter rests with the Graduate Advisory Committee. In consultation with their committee, students must start their preparation for their field exams in the Summer session of Year 1.

• The field examination centres on two subfields: the subfield of the student's proposed thesis research and a subfield relevant to the student's research and general preparation.

• By October 1 of Year 2, each student must submit to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies a brief statement (three to four pages double spaced) concerning the primary and secondary subfields for their field examination and two reading lists (one for each subfield). Each reading list should consist of 25 to 30 items and should include primary and secondary sources. The student's Field Committee will review this material and meet with the student to indicate revisions or additions to the reading lists. The student must file final copies of the two reading lists and statements, as approved by the committee, with the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies by November 1.

• The field examination will take place between January 15 and February 15 of Year 2. It has two parts: a written examination of six hours and an oral examination of two hours. Each part will cover the primary and secondary subfields that the student has prepared.

  • The written examination will consist of three questions. At least one of the questions must be answered in Spanish, and at least one of the questions must be answered in English.

  • The oral examination will follow two weeks after the written exam; it will normally be conducted in Spanish, although English may be used to accommodate committee members from cognate units. The Field Committee will grade the two parts of the examination together, on a credit/non-credit basis. A student who does not receive credit on the first attempt must retake both parts of the examination by May 10.

• Each student must submit a written thesis proposal to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies by April 25 of Year 2 of enrolment in the program. The written proposal articulates the topic, the research questions and methodology of the student's proposed research, and presents a sample of analysis, in approximately 25 pages double spaced. In addition, the proposal should include a bibliography, an outline of the thesis, and a plan of action which associates the outline with activities of research and writing within a timeline for the three sessions per year. The proposal should be written in the language that the student intends to use in writing the thesis (Spanish or English).

  • Each student must defend their thesis proposal (including the outline and plan of action) in a two-hour, public oral examination to be held by May 15, normally conducted in the language of the student's proposal.

  • The student's Field Committee will grade the written proposal and the oral examination on a credit/non-credit basis. A student who does not receive credit on the first attempt must revise and resubmit the thesis proposal by September 15 of Year 3 of enrolment and retake the oral examination on the proposal by October 15 of that year.

• Language requirements must be fulfilled before registering for Year 4. Each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French and of a third non-English language relevant to their area of research. These language requirements may be satisfied by passing the appropriate reading knowledge courses or examinations offered by the corresponding departments of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto (including the exams offered in-house by the Graduate Department of Italian and Spanish Studies).

  • Significant prior training in a language (such as an undergraduate major or minor) will also be accepted as demonstration of reading knowledge.

  • Native speakers of languages other than English and Spanish, who have received their formal education in that language (minimum of a high school diploma) may request an exemption for the third-language requirement.

• Years 3 and 4 are devoted to researching and writing the doctoral thesis. The Supervisory Committee must normally approve the complete draft of the thesis before the candidate can proceed to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Students fulfil the residence requirement by being registered as full-time on-campus and must reside in sufficient geographical proximity to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the program in a timely fashion. They are also expected to participate fully in departmental activities. While writing the thesis, candidates are expected to be in residence, with the exception of absences for research purposes and approved leaves.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program; Field: Hispanic Literatures and Cultures

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the additional admission requirements stated below.

• Master's degree from a recognized university in an appropriate discipline with an average of A– or higher. Applicants apply online and should arrange for electronic submission of the following material:

  • A one-page statement of purpose, outlining the applicant's areas of interest (in English).

  • A sample of written work in Spanish (10 to 12 pages double spaced).

  • Two letters of recommendation, ideally in English (one of the letters must comment on the applicant's fluency in Spanish).

  • A curriculum vitae in English.

Completion Requirements

• Students must specialize in one geographic area of study in accordance with distribution requirements for the field:

  • Latin American Literature and Culture.

  • Spanish Peninsular Literature and Culture.

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). Course selection is proposed to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, who reviews and approves the plan in consultation with the faculty supervisor to ensure they relate to the proposed research area of the thesis:

  • A minimum of 1.5 FCEs in their chosen geographic area of study.

  • 0.5 FCE in the other geographic area of study.

  • For students specializing in Latin American Literature and Culture, an additional 0.5 FCE in pre-1700 literature and culture if not previously completed at the master's level.

  • 0.5 FCE in Hispanic Linguistics, if not previously completed at the master's level.

  • SPA1096H From Reflective Planning to Delivery in Language Teaching.

  • Of any remaining coursework, up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside the department from a cognate unit.

  • Students are expected to complete their coursework in Year 1. However, with the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate, up to 1.0 FCE may be taken in Year 2.

  • Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in order to remain in good academic standing.

• By March 25 of Year 1, each student must seek approval from the Graduate Advisory Committee for the proposed area of their thesis and the membership of the Field Examination Committee (normally the proposed thesis supervisor and two other members of the graduate faculty). The Graduate Advisory Committee will respond in writing by May 1 of the same year. The final decision in this matter rests with the Graduate Advisory Committee. In consultation with their committee, students must start their preparation for their field exams in the Summer session of Year 1.

• The field examination centres on two subfields: the subfield of the student's proposed thesis research and a subfield relevant to the student's research and general preparation.

• By October 1 of Year 2, each student must submit to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies a brief statement (three to four pages double spaced) concerning the primary and secondary subfields for their field examination and two reading lists (one for each subfield). Each reading list should consist of 25 to 30 items and should include primary and secondary sources. The student's Field Committee will review this material and meet with the student to indicate revisions or additions to the reading lists. The student must file final copies of the two reading lists and statements, as approved by the committee, with the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies by November 1.

• The field examination will take place between January 15 and February 15 of Year 2. It has two parts: a written examination of six hours and an oral examination of two hours. Each part will cover the primary and secondary subfields that the student has prepared.

  • The written examination will consist of three questions. At least one of the questions must be answered in Spanish, and at least one of the questions must be answered in English.

  • The oral examination will follow two weeks after the written exam; it will normally be conducted in Spanish, although English may be used to accommodate committee members from cognate units. The Field Committee will grade the two parts of the examination together, on a credit/non-credit basis. A student who does not receive credit on the first attempt must retake both parts of the examination by May 10.

• Each student must submit a written thesis proposal to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies by April 25 of Year 2 of enrolment in the program. The written proposal articulates the topic, the research questions and methodology of the student's proposed research, and presents a sample of analysis, in approximately 25 pages double spaced. In addition, the proposal should include a bibliography, an outline of the thesis, and a plan of action which associates the outline with activities of research and writing within a timeline for the three sessions per year. The proposal should be written in the language that the student intends to use in writing the thesis (Spanish or English).

  • Each student must defend their thesis proposal (including the outline and plan of action) in a two-hour, public oral examination to be held by May 15, normally conducted in the language of the student's proposal.

  • The student's Field Committee will grade the written proposal and the oral examination on a credit/non-credit basis. A student who does not receive credit on the first attempt must revise and resubmit the thesis proposal by September 15 of Year 3 of enrolment and retake the oral examination on the proposal by October 15 of that year.

• Language requirements must be fulfilled before registering for Year 4. Each student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French and of a third non-English language relevant to their area of research. These language requirements may be satisfied by passing the appropriate reading knowledge courses or examinations offered by the corresponding departments of the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto (including the exams offered in-house by the Graduate Department of Italian and Spanish Studies).

  • Significant prior training in a language (such as an undergraduate major or minor) will also be accepted as demonstration of reading knowledge.

  • Native speakers of languages other than English and Spanish, who have received their formal education in that language (minimum of a high school diploma) may request an exemption for the third-language requirement.

• Years 3 and 4 are devoted to researching and writing the doctoral thesis. The Supervisory Committee must normally approve the complete draft of the thesis before the candidate can proceed to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Students fulfil the residence requirement by being registered as full-time on-campus and must reside in sufficient geographical proximity to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the program in a timely fashion. They are also expected to participate fully in departmental activities. While writing the thesis, candidates are expected to be in residence, with the exception of absences for research purposes and approved leaves.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time