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Spanish and Portuguese

We are dedicated to helping ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs form strong oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and Portuguese — and to developing ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs' 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ

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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs who have diagnosed learning disabilities and for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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

Vanessa Polster

Vanessa Polster '26

Spanish and Portuguese • Microbiology • Mallory Wilson Center for Healthcare Education

Chi Truong

Chi Truong '26

Spanish and Portuguese • Global and Intercultural Studies

Amelia Miller

Amelia Miller '28

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

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, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs experience Spanish culture from different perspectives. The program offers courses on Spanish language, literature, and linguistics courses taught by Miami faculty in Gijón, where ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs live with host families. Additionally ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs learn about Spanish culture through a Culinary Trip around Spain. Miami ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs 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 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ 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