Where can I take the Spanish language placement exam?

The Spanish Language Placement Exam takes place every Friday. Students need to contact Jeremiah Webb at jaw@email.arizona.edu (520) 621-1048 to set up a time to take the placement exam. The test takes about 20-25 minutes to complete, and the University charges $20.00 to the Bursar's Account once the exam has been taken. Since this is only a placement exam, students may only take the exam once during their academic career at the University of Arizona, and they must not have any university or transfer units in the Spanish language.

Only students who have never taken Spanish before can call 621-3124 to obtain information on how to register for Spanish 101.

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Where can I get information on the Spanish major and minor?

Right here on our website! Or you can make an appointment to speak with Professor Andrea Pope, Director of Undergraduate Studies, by calling 520-626-3517. Her office hours are Tue. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. You may also email her at ampope@email.arizona.edu. If you are a minor make an appointment with minor advisor Teresa Lorenz by calling 520-621-3123 or email her at tlorenz@email.arizona.edu.

If I take a course that would fulfill a requirement for my Spanish major AND a General Education requirement, can I apply it to both?

Yes. A maximum of 10 units may be used to fulfill both General Education and major/minor requirements. However you must have a minimum of 124 total units (42 of which must be upper division) in order to graduate.

Do I have to have a minor if my major is Spanish?

Yes. All students in the College of Humanities must declare and complete a minor in order to graduate. We recommend Portuguese, Latin American Studies or Mexican American Studies.

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Do I have to take SPAN 340/343 (Spanish Phonetics)?

Not necessarily. The answer to this question depends upon the student’s situation. The following is a brief guideline:

Students that major in Spanish in the Language and Linguistics track must take SPAN 340/343 (as well as SPAN 452).
Students in the College of Education with a teaching major in Spanish must take SPAN 340/343.
Students that minor in Spanish do NOT have to take SPAN 340/343, as long as they have a minimum of nine upper division units in Spanish. However, those students that complete this requirement entirely at the 300-level will do so by completing 325/323, 330/333 and EITHER 340/343 or 350.

If I am a Spanish major and I receive a Proficiency Exam, what do I do?

All students must take the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam between their 40th and 75th units earned. If you receive an "unsatisfactory" you must take ENG 397a (Writing Workshop). You will take ENG 397b if you are an international student.

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What’s the difference between the concentration in Language and Literature and the concentration in Language and Linguistics for the Spanish major?

By choosing a major in the Language/Linguistics track, students will study the structure of the Spanish language in depth. Coursework typically entails the study and analysis of different aspects of language structure (e.g. pronunciation, grammar and syntax), as well as other aspects of language learning and use (e.g. issues of language teaching, sociolinguistics, dialects of Spanish, Spanish in the Southwest, etc.)

Do I have to have the prerequisite to get into 300 and 400 level courses?

YES!!! Exceptions will be made only in the following circumstances:

• If you are an international student who was raised, and attended school in the Hispanic world.
• If you placed into the particular level by taking the Computer placement exam in Modern Languages 512 and have PROOF (via a form with the appropriate signature).
• If you are a return missionary or student who has studied in the Hispanic world at least 1 year (in this event you would still need permission via a written document provided by Professor Pope).
• If you took the Advanced Placement exams in Spanish language and/or literature (and have this recorded on your UA transcript) and received a high enough score.
  A score of 5 in the AP language OR literature exam would give you credit for 201,202, 251/253, and 325/323 (14 units). You would need to register for 330/333.
  A score of 4 on the AP language OR literature exam would give you credit for 201, 202 and 251 (11 units). You would register for SPAN 325 (or 323 for Heritage speakers).
  A score of 3 on the AP language OR literature exam would give you credit for 201 and 202 (8 units). You would need to register for SPAN 251 (or 253 for Heritage speakers)
• If you took BOTH the language and the literature exams and received a 5 on each one, you will get 20 units, credit for 201, 202, 251, 325, 350, and 3 additional units of upper division credit. You should register for SPAN 330 (or 333 for Heritage speakers) or 340 (343 for Heritage speakers) before going on to the 400 level courses.
• If you took BOTH the language and literature AP exams and received a combination of 4 and 5, you will receive 17 units (201,202,251,325, 350). You should register for SPAN 330 (or 333 for Heritage speakers) or 340 (343 for Heritage speakers) before going on to the 400 level courses.
• If you took BOTH the language and literature AP exams and received a 4 in each, you will receive 14 units and credit for 201, 202, 251 and 325. You would need to register for 330(or 333 for Heritage speakers) or 340 (343 for Heritage speakers) before going on to the 400 level courses.
• If you took BOTH the language and literature AP exams and received a 3 in each or a combination of 3 and 4, you will receive 11 units and credit for 201, 202, 251/253. You would need to register for 325 (or 323 for Heritage speakers), 330 (or 333 for Heritage speakers) or 340 (343 for Heritage speakers).
• If you took the CLEP exam (offered in OLD Main, Room 223, phone: 621-7589) and received a 47, you would receive credit for 101 and 102 (8 units) and you should register for SPAN 201.
• If you took the CLEP exam and received a 54, you would receive credit for 101, 102, 201 and 202 (16 units). You should register for SPAN 251 (or 253 for Heritage speakers)

Remember if taking the CLEP exam that credit will not be given for courses equivalent to or at a lower level than formal course work already completed and that exams must be taken prior to the completion of 55 units of college coursework.

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Where can I get information on the Portuguese minor and major?

Make an appointment to speak with the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies by calling 621-3123, or Professor Pope, by calling 520-626-3517. Or visit the Portuguese Language Program website.

Where can I get information on study abroad programs in Spanish-speaking countries?

Check out the website; Study Abroad! Our department programs are offered in Spain and Chile. UA also has the oldest program of study in Guadalajara, Mexico. You may find out about other programs by going to the Center for International Student Programs at 915 N. Tyndall Ave. Phone 621-4627.

Where can I get information on a teaching certificate in Spanish?

See an advisor in the College of Education. The Department of Teaching and Teacher Education is located in Rm 702 and the phone number is 621-1602. Appointments with advisors may be made by calling 621-7820. Susan O'Hagen is in charge of teacher certification and her number is 621-1573.

Is there a program in Spanish-English translation?

Yes. We have recently added another option for Spanish majors: Translation and Interpretation track. A minor in this track is not currently offered through our department. You may find more information on a minor in Translation and Interpretation by going to the Mexican American Studies Department.

In addition, The University of Arizona hosts each summer the Agnese Haury Institute for Court Interpretation in Modern Languages 445. Call 621-3615 for more information.

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Do you have a course in reading Spanish for graduate students from other departments?

Not at present but we are considering it for the future.

What can I do with a liberal arts degree?

LOTS! Liberal Arts majors have been demonstrated to advance more quickly than their more specialized degree recipient peers in large corporations due to many skills acquired during college such as critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as the capacity to be flexible and deal with different populations. They are also shown to be very strong in research and presentational skills.

In the Department of Spanish and Portuguese we will be offering a meeting each spring for our majors to discuss all of the career options available. Students hear of job possibilities in government, tourism, business and education and receive a packet that includes information on how to market oneself as a language major and tips for job interviews. This packet is available from Professor Pope by request during the rest of the year.

Students are also encouraged to use the UA Career Services Center in the Student Union Memorial Center Suite 411 (phone 621-2588).

What if I decide to pursue my teaching certification after completing my BA degree?

That is a great idea! You will need to see an advisor in the College of Education and tell him/her you are interested in a Post-Bac for teaching certification. The program will probably take one to one and one-half years to complete.

Appointments with advisors in the College of Education may be made by calling 621-7865. Also look at their website.

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I have college credit in Spanish from another institution, how do I transfer that over to UA?

If you attended an Arizona institution check out exactly how the credits in Spanish transfer by going to the online CEG (Course Equivalency Guide). If you attended an institution outside of the state, you must either email or bring all course descriptions to the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies and he/she will determine what the equivalent courses are in the department of Spanish and Portuguese.

I'm going abroad on a university program other than those offered by UA, how do I know my credits will transfer?

First, you must have your program approved by the Office of International Student Programs at 915 N. Tyndall Ave. Phone 621-4627. Then, you must get complete descriptions of all coursework in Spanish or Portuguese to be taken abroad and it must be approved by the the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies (by email or in person). Not doing either of these two steps may result in not receiving credit for the work done abroad.

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How do I file for my Senior Degree Check?

You must go to the graduation advisor Jenny Bravo in ML 347 (tel. 621-3517) and tell her that you need to initiate your Senior Degree Check process.

When your paperwork is ready, make an appointment with Professor Pope in Modern Languages 569 by calling 520-626-3517 if you are a major, or the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies if you are a minor. Do so by calling 621-3123. She will review your coursework in Spanish, write out the courses needed to complete the major and sign the pink form.

Then you must go to the Humanities Academic Advising Center and meet with an advisor so that s/he may review your general coursework. The Center is located in Modern Languages 345 (phone 621-1048). You will turn in your paperwork there.

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