• 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.
  

A concentration 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 concentration advisor to develop a program of study that best corresponds to their interests and career plans.

LSA Spanish Concentration Requirements

Spanish Concentration worksheet (PDF)

Academic minors in Romance Languages and Literatures are not open to students with any concentration or any other academic minor in Romance Languages and Literatures.

Students wishing to pursue an academic minor must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with a Spanish concentration advisor. Appointments may be scheduled at 4108 Modern Languages Building, (734) 764-5344.

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.

Prerequisites to the Academic Minor:  SPANISH 277 (or 275&276). The prerequisite will be waived for Residential College students who complete one RCLANG 324 readings course in Spanish. Students who complete a second and/or a third RCLANG 324 course will receive concentration credit for a Spanish elective at the 300 level.  For eligible students, SPANISH 278, Spanish for Heritage Language Learners, can be substituted for SPANISH 277.

Academic Minor Program: A minimum of 21 approved credits beyond the prerequisite, including:

• 12 credits chosen from courses numbered SPANISH 279 to 399
• 9 credits chosen from courses at the 400 level
• Specific course selections must include three literature courses. Other courses, or "electives in Spanish," may be selected in Hispanic culture, linguistics, and film. Students should consult a concentration advisor and develop a balanced program of study that includes the cultural production of various countries and historical periods. 
• It is possible for students to take their third Spanish 279-399 course concurrently with their first 400-level course. Students wishing to do so should contact the RLL main office at rll.undergrad@umich.edu.

Constraints. No more than one Independent Study or Internship course (3 credits) can be included in an academic minor.

Residence Requirement. At least 12 of the required 21 credits for the academic minor must be taken either in residence or through a study-abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan.

Spanish Minor Worksheet (PDF)

Course Offerings

For a complete, at-a-glance list of all Spanish courses offered in any given semester, see the LSA Bulletin. For information on currently offered Spanish courses, visit the LSA Course Guide.

Spanish Cognate Courses

A Spanish cognate course is a course in which a majority of the content focuses on Hispanic studies, but which does not give instruction primarily in Spanish. Click here for the list of Spanish cognates. 

RLL Spanish Cognate Request Form (PDF)

Spanish Literature Courses

Spanish Literature Course List

Check the LSA Course Guide to see when these courses are offered.

Note: Spanish 373, 430, 438, 485, and 488 are topics courses which vary by term. Some sections count toward the literature requirement and some count as electives. Please refer to the class descriptions in the LSA Course Guide or contact the RLL main office for more information.

Students interested in completing teaching certificates may either apply to the School of Education, as a cross-campus transfer or remain in LSA and apply to the School of Education just for certification. In the first case, the School of Education will grant the degree, and in the second, the student will receive the degree from LSA. For more information, visit the School of Education's website.