Requirements for the Ph.D. are:

• Twenty-four hours of graduate courses beyond the M.A. for those holding an M.A. in Spanish from the University of Virginia; thirty-six credit hours of graduate courses beyond the M.A. for those holding an M.A. in Spanish from
• Reading knowledge of two other foreign languages.
• Comprehensive written and oral exams on four periods of Spanish and Spanish American literature or on three periods and a special topic selected by the student and a faculty committee; the period examinations are based upon the Ph.D. reading list.
• A dissertation.
• An oral defense of the completed dissertation.

The department believes that learning to teach must be an integral part of any graduate program. All graduate students are required to teach (usually six hours a week) and are carefully trained and supervised by Professor Emily Scida; and other members of the department.

Most Ph.D. candidates receive the degree four years after entering the Ph.D. program. Over the last twelve years, every Ph.D. graduate of the program has obtained academic employment in his or her specialty.

The graduate Spanish program here at the University of Virginia offers a Spanish MA degree and a separate PhD degree. The program is not combined. Applicants must apply to the MA program and may continue on to the PhD program at the invitation of the department. In this instance, you will not need to reapply to the PhD program.

To apply to either the MA or Ph.D. program at the University of Virginia, please visit the Admissions Office website for the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. There you will find information concerning the requirements for admission as well as a link to the on-line UVA Graduate Admission's Application

International applicants should consult the Office of International Students and Scholars website.

Virtually all entering graduate students are granted financial support in the form of Fellowships or Teaching Assistantships. Students with exceptionally strong qualifications are nominated for President's Fellowships, awarded by the Graduate School, which are currently about $18,000 plus tuition costs and health insurance, and which are guaranteed for three years. Presidential fellows generally begin teaching in the second year. The department is usually able to offer up to three President's Fellowships each year. Other entering students currently receive from $17,300 to $17,600 as a teaching assistantship stipend, depending upon experience, plus tuition costs and health insurance. Financial support is normally renewable. Students who are awarded Fellowships or Assistantships do not pay any tuition, and receive health insurance. In addition, graduate students are frequently employed in Summer School courses, in Charlottesville or in the Department's summer undergraduate program in Valencia, Spain.