The undergraduate minor in Spanish requires a minimum of 18 s.h. in Spanish courses, including at least 15 s.h. in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses at the University of Iowa numbered SPAN:2000 or above. At least 6 s.h. must be numbered SPAN:3000 or above. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

All courses taken for the Spanish minor must be numbered SPAN:2000 or above. Advanced Placement Program (AP) credit is considered to be equivalent to a Spanish course at the 2000 level. Students may count 3 s.h. in AP Spanish Language and Culture or Literature and Culture exams with a score of a 4 or higher as elective credit toward the minor. Students with previous knowledge of Spanish language, should take the World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) to determine the best level for your first enrollment in a language course.

Portuguese and Spanish are closely related languages; if you know Spanish you can build on that base to learn Portuguese. Whatever career you pursue, speaking these two languages can multiply your chances for success. Portuguese courses can count toward your Spanish major.

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the minor in Spanish, visit the UI General Catalog.

Study Abroad

The department participates in study abroad programs in Spain and Latin America; most of these programs offer both summer and semester or yearlong programs. The programs in Spain include the Board of Regents Hispanic Institute program in Valladolid (summer only); Cultures of Spain (Madrid, summer only), USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) programs in Alicante, Bilbao, Madrid, and San Sebastián; and CIEE programs in Alcalá de Henares, Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, and Seville.

The programs in Latin America include USAC programs in Chile (Santiago) and Costa Rica (Heredia, Puntarenas, and San Ramón); CIEE programs in Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago and Valparaíso), Dominican Republic (Santiago), and Peru (Lima). They also include the CIC Latin America Health, Nutrition, and Environmental Issues Program in Santiago, Dominican Republic. For information about other international study programs in Spanish, contact International Programs Study Abroad.

Participation in a number of different programs allows the department to offer study abroad opportunities that take into account a variety of student interests and needs. Credit earned in these or other study abroad programs may be applied toward the requirements for the Spanish minor. The amount of credit that may be accepted varies according to the program.

Interested students should contact the department's study abroad advisor. Credit earned in study abroad programs other than those listed above counts as transfer credit and is subject to the 3 s.h. maximum allowed for the minor.

Teacher Licensure

Students who plan to use their work toward a minor in Spanish as academic background for earning teacher licensure should contact the Office of Student Services in the College of Education about requirements.