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Spanish and Portuguese

We are dedicated to helping ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs form strong oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and Portuguese — and to developing ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs' capacity for critical thinking and cultural literacy. Our department offers a rich undergraduate program that allows for the study of the literature, language, and cultures of the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds from a broad range of perspectives: film studies, gender studies, creative writing, history, and more. A variety of opportunities are available to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs outside of the classroom as well, such as study abroad programs, faculty-led workshops in Latin America, and service learning initiatives in the surrounding Hispanic communities. We also offer a combined BA/MA program. Whether in the classroom, in a one-on-one- collaboration with the faculty, or in the larger community, our ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs develop the practical skills and cultural preparedness they need for their future as citizens and professionals in a world in which Hispanic/Latino cultures play an increasingly important role. ¡Bienvenidos! Bem-Vindos!

Connections

Our ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

The Department offers a major, a minor, and a combined BA/MA program in Spanish, as well as specialized modified Spanish courses for the Basic Language Sequence (SPN 101, 102, 201, and 202) for ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs who have diagnosed learning disabilities and for ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs who have demonstrated a significant difficulty in learning a foreign language. The department offers accelerated Portuguese courses that can meet a year's worth of language requirement in one semester. Outstanding ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in Spanish are invited by the faculty to participate in our departmental honors program. We offer a wide range of courses, from introductory language classes to MA-level seminars. Students should check the course listings regularly since offerings rotate and faculty frequently update their content.

Spanish

In addition to forming strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish, the department offers a rich undergraduate program that allows ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to study the literature, language, and cultures of the Hispanic/Latino and Lusophone worlds from a broad range of perspectives: film studies, gender studies, creative writing, history, and others. A variety of opportunities are available to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs outside of the classroom as well, such as faculty-led workshops in Latin America and Spain and service learning initiatives in the surrounding Hispanic communities. Whether in class, in one-on-one collaboration with the faculty, or in the larger community – our ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs develop the practical skills and cultural preparedness they need for their future as citizens and professionals in a world in which Hispanic/Latino and Lusophone cultures play an increasingly important role.

Portuguese

From offering intensive language courses that allow ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to complete the equivalent of first-year Portuguese in one semester, to those with a background in Spanish or another Romance language, to offering a broad spectrum of thought-provoking courses such as the Afro-Brazilian Diaspora Through Film and Arts and Brazilian Women through Literature and Film — the department's Portuguese courses challenge you to open your mind and broaden your cultural perspective in terms of the Latin American and Lusophone worlds.

Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Winners

2025 Spanish Scholarship Awardees

Congratulations to our Spanish Department scholarship and award winners for this academic year! The annual scholarship dinner was held on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025. Students received awards from the L.P. Irvin Essay Prize, the Dr. Glenn Barr Scholarship, the Willis K. Jones Award, the Robert Newman Memorial Award, the Timothy Rogers Memorial Scholarship, and the Washington R. Vazquez Scholarship.

Pictured: Yaw Osei-Tutu, Katelyn Wang, Michael Valentino, Eliana Riley, Sara Calderon, Paige Bolton, Lauren Combs, and Saul Salgado

Not Pictured: Catherine Werthmann, Jacey Cassandra, Leah Steinbrecher, Hannah Alvarez, Jaden McDonald, and Sydney Watson.

Meet Our Students

Amelia Miller

Amelia Miller '28

Spanish and Portuguese • Mallory Wilson Center for Healthcare Education • Chemistry and Biochemistry

Addison Ellis

Addison Ellis '28

Spanish and Portuguese • Honors College • Global and Intercultural Studies

Our Resources for Students

Immerse Yourself and Study Abroad

The Department offers an array of study abroad programs in Spanish-speaking countries. Workshops and Education Abroad programs in Winter and Summer Terms are run by Miami faculty in Spain and Latin America.

For example, with the Miami in Spain program, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs experience Spanish culture from different perspectives. The program offers courses on Spanish language, literature, and linguistics courses taught by Miami faculty in Gijón, where ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs live with host families. Additionally ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs learn about Spanish culture through a Culinary Trip around Spain. Miami ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs have the opportunity to examine cinema and literature while taking conversation and composition courses in Spain or to study Medical Spanish while working with local doctors in Costa Rica.  Miami also sponsors study abroad programs for the intermediate language learner which take place in different locations throughout Argentina.

Discover Our Resources for Your Time at Miami and Beyond

We don't just work with ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in the day-to-day academic world, but we prepare them for their future. Students can pursue an internship with a non-profit or business that allows them to enhance their critical thinking, research skills and communication abilities as well as further develop their knowledge of the career paths of Spanish graduates.  Students will also enhance their Spanish-language skills and further develop their knowledge of Hispanic/Latino communities.

While at Miami, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs can take advantage of our specialized academic advising office, get extra help in our Spanish & Portuguese Open Tutoring office, and partake in all sorts of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø groups and extra-curricular activities, such as the Spanish Language Table.

Learn about our department scholarships and how they can help you with a study abroad program!

Give to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Help us prepare the next generation of leaders. We have numerous scholarships, grants, and programs accepting contributions from donors like you.

 

Contact the Department

Irvin Hall South Entrance