The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers graduate degree programs in Spanish and French, as well as an MA emphasis area in foreign language teaching. The department's faculty and graduate student seminars are an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental series seeking to provide a collegial atmosphere in which scholars can present their recent work. The department strongly encourages study abroad as a way to reinforce language skills, broaden one's horizons, and add an unforgettable experience to a meaningful university education. The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Missouri has the country's only focus area in the field of Afro-Romance Studies. In order to facilitate research collaboration between our faculty members working in this field and scholars outside our institution, we have established the Institute for Languages and Literatures of the African Diaspora. The Institute serves first and foremost to expose black writers of French, Portuguese and Spanish expression to a wider audience.<br><br>Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours at the graduate-level to earn their MA degree. At least 15 hours must be in courses at the 8000 level or above. The total number of credit hours in special readings (7960), problems (8085) or any combination of both may not exceed 12. The number of credit hours in special readings (7960) within the student's major field may not exceed three per semester. Graduate Instructors with no pedagogical experience, or those who have not completed a graduate course in foreign language teaching methodology, will be required to take FRENCH 7120, Foreign Language Teaching Methodology.<br><br>Non-native speakers will be required to complete an online proficiency assessment with the appropriate course coordinator before a decision on their admission status is finalized by the department.