The Spanish major and Spanish minor gives you the opportunity to develop language proficiency while expanding your knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literature. Many Spanish majors and minors combine their studies with fields such as political science (pre-law), pre-med, American culture, organizational studies, communications, psychology, and economics. Starting in Fall 2017, there are new Catalan course offerings for the Spanish major and minor.
Why Study Spanish?
- Over 300 million people speak Spanish worldwide, making it one of the largest markets for businesses and one of the most useful languages in the world for travel.
- Close to 30 million people living in the U.S. are Hispanic, and soon one out of every six people living in the U.S. will be Hispanic. In the past, learning Spanish used to be a way to open doors, but soon it will be a necessity.
- Employers are seeking applicants who can speak Spanish in nearly every profession (medical, government, legal, journalism, finance, education, sales, etc.).
- A large body of literary work is written in Spanish and Spanish-language films continue to receive praise from the film industry and viewers. At last count, there were more than 16,000 Spanish publications, 250 Spanish TV stations and 5,100 Spanish radio stations.
- Learning Spanish can help you learn the other Latin-based languages such as French and Italian. These languages all have Indo-European roots and share some characteristics (such as gender and extensive conjugation) that are present in Spanish but not English.
- Because of its Latin roots, nearly identical alphabet and pronunciation rules, Spanish is one of the easiest languages for an English speaker to learn.
- Knowing Spanish can make your travel experiences more enjoyable. It is estimated that U.S. citizens spend more travel time in Spanish-speaking countries than in any other foreign countries (excluding English-speaking countries).
- Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and an official language in the European Union, UNESCO, GATT and many other international organizations.
Major Requirements
A major in Spanish allows students considerable flexibility in developing a program of study leading to competence in the language and a basic knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literatures. All students should consult with a RLL advisor to develop a program of study that best corresponds to their interests and career plans.
Spanish Major Requirements
Suggestions for Starting a Spanish Major (PDF)
Spanish Cognates & Additional Course Options
Spanish Major Worksheet (PDF)
Spanish Honors Major
Using AP/IB Credit for Spanish Major
Minor Requirements
If you are majoring in another field, the Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture minor offers you an opportunity to complement the knowledge gained in your principal field, while adding a cultural and linguistic dimension to your academic experience.
Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture Minor Requirements
Please note, Fall 2020 requirements apply only to students entering UM as of Fall 2020. Students who entered the University prior to Fall 2020 should refer to the Fall 2016-Summer 2020 requirements towards the bottom of the requirements page.
Spanish Minor Worksheet (PDF)- for students entering UM prior to Fall 2020
Spanish Minor Worksheet (PDF) -for students entering UM Fall 2020 and beyond
Spanish Literature Course List
Additional Course Options
Using AP/IB Credit for Spanish Minor
Course Information
Course Offerings
For a list of Spanish courses offered in recent semesters, visit the LSA Undergraduate Course Catalog. For information on currently offered Spanish courses, visit the LSA Course Guide.
RLL course information and highlighted courses
Areas of Specialization - A Guide
Non-UM Study Abroad and Domestic Transfer Credit
Review and follow this PDF checklist, which outlines the approval process for non-UM study abroad and domestic transfer credit.
Please note: students are required to have coursework pre-evaluated by an RLL faculty advisor prior to enrolling or going abroad; syllabi and specific course descriptions are needed. A final evaluation of coursework is required upon completion of the course or upon return from abroad. Specific courses and credits must appear on the transcript; syllabi and completed coursework are needed.
Credits earned for online courses are not accepted toward the Spanish major or minor.
For information regarding earning credit for UM/CGIS study abroad programs, please reference the RLL Study Abroad page.
Teacher Certification
Students who are interested in learning more about pursuing Teacher Education should contact Dr. Maria Coolican. For further information about teacher certification options in the School of Education, please review their Educator Preparation Program website. To review the specific courses that are required for the various teaching majors, please see the Teaching Major and Minor Requirements.
