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>A total of 30 hours selected from courses receiving graduate credit must be completed for the MALT (Master of Arts in Language Teaching). A minimum of 21 of the 30 hours must be taken in either French or Spanish. At least 15 hours must be in courses at the 8000 level or above. Of these 8000-level courses, six hours must be in the Department of Romance Languages. The remaining 9 hours may be taken from course work outside the department with the approval of the student's academic advisor.<br><br>The number of hours of credit allowed for Special Readings (7960) and Problems (8085) may not exceed twelve. MA candidates may not take more than one of these two independent readings course per semester.<br><br>Students wishing to transfer MA credits from another university may transfer up to six hours, provided these courses were taken within the last eight years.<br><br>MALT candidates must submit a completed M-1 Program of Study to the Graduate School at least one semester before completing their comprehensive examinations.