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Spanish and Portuguese

We are dedicated to helping students form strong oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and Portuguese — and to developing students' 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 students 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 students 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 Programs

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 students who have diagnosed learning disabilities and for students 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 students 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 students 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 students 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 students 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 students 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.

Meet Our Students

Aiden Atkinson '26

Aiden Atkinson '26

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

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

Diversity and Inclusion

The faculty and staff of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese are committed to diversity and inclusion, as the goal is to cultivate an inclusive learning environment for all students. We value persons of all identities, including dimensions such as age, culture, national origin, ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and others. Through the study of literature, languages, and cultures of the Hispanic/Latin@/Latinx/Latine and Lusophone communities, we will strive to foster a diverse examination of these cultural perspectives. Moreover, we encourage students to participate in cross-cultural experiences, including workshops in Latin America and Spain, service-learning initiatives in the surrounding Latinx communities and internship positions in the local area and abroad. These opportunities promote students’ intercultural competency in a world in which Hispanic, Latinx and Lusophone cultures play an increasingly important role. Our course offerings seek to incorporate diverse topics such as social justice, indigenous cultures, blackness, historical constructions of racial inequality, migration, gender identities, sexual orientation, religion, and multicultural and multilingual identities. Furthermore, our department organizes and supports events that integrate diverse voices in areas of literature, culture, linguistics, and social justice. In sum, we aim to foster a positive learning environment for all students and to promote diverse experiences in our classes, local and global opportunities and events, while also promoting and supporting diverse initiatives in our communities.

Certificate of Accrediation

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Scope of Accreditation

Accreditation is quality assurance through external peer review. When an institution or specialized program is accredited, it has demonstrated that it meets standards set by organizations representing the academic community, professionals, and other stakeholders. To maintain accreditation the institution or program must undergo a similar review on a regular basis. Typically reviews are conducted every 7 to 10 years.

There are two types of accreditation: institutional and professional (sometimes called programmatic).

Professional accreditors review departments, schools, and colleges usually within a higher education institution. An institution, especially a larger university, might simultaneously maintain accreditation from a regional accreditor as well as from several professional accreditors.

CAEP is a professional accreditor because it reviews departments, schools, and colleges which prepare teachers and other educators. After completing a program, teachers seek licensure or certification from the state in which they wish to teach.

To avoid encountering dubious providers of educational offerings (“degree mills”) or dubious providers of quality assurance (“accreditation mills”), CAEP recommends that students and the public check the list of accredited institutions and recognized accrediting agencies on the websites for the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For additional information on the harm of degree mills and accreditation mills, visit the CHEA website. CHEA is often referred to as an accreditor of accreditors.  Under CHEA, professional accreditors undergo a peer review process to ensure the quality and integrity of standards and processes.

 Photo of Certificate of Accrediation

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.

 

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Contact the Department

Irvin Hall South Entrance