Graduate Admissions

The Spanish Graduate Program at Texas Tech University offers two tracks:  one in Literary and Cultural Studies and one in Linguistics. Both tracks encompass a range of theoretical frameworks and perspectives that reflect the research expertise of our professionally active faculty. As a community of engaged scholars, we are committed to providing our graduate students with opportunities for intellectual growth, critical and analytical skill-building, a solid theoretical foundation, and the professional preparation needed for careers in and outside of academia.
 
Our M.A. program offers students a comprehensive understanding of key fields within each discipline through a curriculum that promotes both breadth and depth of learning. At the Ph.D. level, students expand on this foundation, solidifying their theoretical frameworks and developing advanced expertise in a chosen research area.

The Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures (CMLL) financially supports graduate students through assistantships and instructorships available during the traditional academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), with additional summer teaching opportunities for students in good standing. This financial support includes Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Part-Time Instructor (GPTI) positions. As soon as a complete application is submitted, the Spanish program will consider prospective students for various funding opportunities through the Texas Tech Graduate School. For this reason, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their complete applications as early as possible, before the priority application deadline of January 15. 

Graduate students enrolled in our programs are required to work 20 hours a week. We pride ourselves on being flexible with these assignments and the distribution of these 20 hours includes but is not limited to: teaching one or two Spanish language courses a semester, working with a professor on a service, teaching, or research project, and assisting the Spanish program on other high-priority projects. Project and teaching assignments are determined on a semester-by-semester basis. We prioritize giving our students a wide range of teaching, research, and service experiences during their time in our program.

Our Programs

• M.A. in Romance Languages, Spanish - Literary and Cultural Studies

• M.A. in Romance Languages, Spanish - Linguistics

• Ph.D. in Spanish, Literary and Cultural Studies

• Ph.D. in Spanish, Linguistics

How to Apply

The Fall 2026 application portal opens October 1, 2025.

The priority application deadline is January 15. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their complete applications as early as possible to be considered for university-wide fellowships. Applications for the Fall will be accepted until April 1.

Application Materials

Transcripts: All applicants must provide transcripts for each degree-awarding post-secondary college or university attended. If the transcripts are NOT provided in English or the institution does NOT issue transcripts in English, an official word for word English translation of all transcripts and/or all mark sheets is required.

Official Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency before their applications can be considered for admission. A list of acceptable proficiency measures is available here.

Non-refundable Application Fee: $75 initial application fee. Fee waivers may be available upon request. To request a fee waiver code, candidates should reach out to the Graduate Admissions Officer according to their area of interest.

CV-Resume: An academic CV focused on the applicant’s achievements and credentials.

Personal Statement: A short (1 page) statement that reflects on the applicant’s trajectory and their academic plans for graduate school. We strongly recommend that either the personal statement or the writing sample be written in Spanish.

Writing Sample: A piece of academic writing that showcases the applicant’s ability to conduct scholarly research in the prospective field and to engage with Spanish in an academic context. We strongly recommend that either the personal statement or the writing sample be written in Spanish.

Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation should preferably come from professors who are familiar with the applicant’s academic work.

Who to Contact

For details regarding the application process, prospective students may contact the Graduate Admissions Officer according to their area of interest: 

Dr. Susan Larson (Iberian Studies, susan.larson@ttu.edu)
Dr. Pavel Andrade (Latin American Studies, pavel.andrade@ttu.edu)
Dr. Brendan Regan (Linguistics, brendan.regan@ttu.edu)

Dr. Carmen Pereira-Muro, Director of Graduate Studies (Carmen.Pereira@ttu.edu)

Graduate Manual

Detailed information about our graduate programs can be found in the CMLL Spanish Graduate Manual.