Frequently Asked Questions
 FAQs for Prospective and Current Undergraduates
FAQs for Prospective and Current Graduate Students
FAQs for Prospective and Current Undergraduates
Q: When can I take the Spanish placement exam?
A: High School students may take the Placement Exam during regional testing, which takes place in the spring. (Contact your school or school district office for local information.) During this testing, students take the Math and English exams in the morning, and take the Foreign Language exam in the afternoon. If students do not take the Foreign Language portion at that time, they can make an appointment to take it at different regional sites throughout the state. Finally, the UWM Testing Office offers walk-in testing times about a week before the semester begins and for the first two weeks of classes (during the add period). For more information, call the Testing Office at (414) 229-4689.
Q: How do I get retroactive credits? How many can I get?
A: It is possible to receive up to fourteen (14) retroactive credits of Spanish if, after having been placed in a certain course because of previous work in the language, the student passes it with a grade of at least B. The Spanish courses that grant retroactive credits are 104 (4 credits), 203 (8 credits), 204 (11 credits), 308, 318 or 341 (14 credits). In their description in the bulletin it states that they generate "L&S credits for demonstrated equivalent preparation". For more information about retroactive credits in Spanish, and for information on other aspects of the Spanish Language Program, contact Ester Suárez-Felipe (ester@uwm.edu).
Q: How do I declare a Spanish major or minor? How do I declare a double major?
A: Contact Stellia Jordan, the Undergraduate Advisor for Spanish. You may e-mail her (sAdvisor@uwm.edu) or call her (414-229-2828) to schedule an appointment.
Q: Is there a major or minor in Portuguese?
A: Students may minor in Portuguese, but a Portuguese major is not available at this time. Language and culture courses in Portuguese are offered on a regular basis. For more information on opportunities in the Portuguese language and Luso-Brazilian studies, take a look at the Portuguese Program's Undergraduate Program page. You may also contact the Department Chair Jeffrey Oxford (oxford@uwm.edu) for more information.
Q: When can I talk to an undergraduate advisor?
A: The Undergraduate Advisor is Stellia Jordan. You may e-mail her (sAdvisor@uwm.edu) or call her (414) 229-2828 to schedule an appointment.
Q: How can I get certified to teach Spanish?
A: See the School of Education's website, including the page dedicated to Certification.
Q: Which classes will give me credit in Spanish and satisfy the Cultural Diversity requirement at the same time?
A: Introduction to Latino Literature (Spanish 371) and Topics in Latino Literature (Spanish 373) both satisfy the Cultural Diversity requirement.
Q: Which classes will give me credit in Spanish and fulfill the General Education Distribution Requirements in the Humanities?
A: Many of our courses fulfill these requirements, including: Understanding the Hispanic World (Spanish 225), Introduction to Literary Studies (Spanish 350), Introduction to Latino Literature (Spanish 371), and Topics in Latino Literature (Spanish 373). A complete list of eligible courses is in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Q: Can I get a Master of Arts degree in Spanish? How do I apply?
A: The Department of Spanish and Portuguese is one of the three departments that participate in the Master of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literatures (MAFLL) Program. For more information on MAFLL, please visit the MAFLL website. For information on how to apply, and for information specific to graduate studies in Spanish, see the Graduate Programs section of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese website. For more details you may also contact the Graduate Advisor, Jeffrey Oxford (oxford@uwm.edu).
Q: How do I find out about study abroad opportunities?
A: UWM sponsors or participates in several semester-long, year-long, UWinteriM, and summer study abroad programs. Take a look at the Overseas Programs page for details.
Q: Is there money available to support a semester abroad?
A: Yes. Take a look at the description of the Donald R. Shea Undergraduate Scholarship on the Scholarship Opportunities page.
Q: Where are the course schedules and course descriptions?
A: General course descriptions are listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin, and course schedules are accessible through the Undergraduate Spanish Program page as well as the Portuguese Undergraduate Program page. These course schedules also contain detailed descriptions for some courses.
Q: Are there any clubs or organizations through which I can meet other Spanish majors and minors?
A: Yes. The Spanish language conversation club, known formally as Club eņe, is designed for anyone-beginners to advanced-who wants to practice or is learning Spanish. Its purpose is to promote the language and cultures of Hispanic countries. Please contact the Department (414-229-4257), or watch for flyers, for more information. In addition, for students in Spanish who meet the academic criteria, the Spanish Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi, is an excellent option. Sigma Delta Pi not only sponsors Club eñe, the Spanish language conversation club, but also holds meetings and social events throughout the year. For more information, contact Prof. César Ferreira (cferr@uwm.edu).
FAQs for Prospective and Current Graduate Students
Q: What do I need to do to apply to Graduate School?
A: See Application Procedures and Apply Online.
Q: What about financial aid?
A: See Scholarships.
Q: What's the difference between the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the Master of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literatures (MAFLL)?
A: The Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese is one of the three departments that make up MAFLL. The others are the Dept. of French, Italian, and Comparative Literature and the Dept. of Foreign Languages and Linguistics. All grad students in these fields are admitted to the MAFLL Program and their degrees will read Master of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literature with a concentration is a specific field, such as Spanish Literature. All students must take certain MAFLL core seminars, but most of their course work will be in their home department.
Q: Do I have to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or any other special admissions exam?
A: Although the Grad School does not require it, MAFLL still requires that all prospective students take the GRE (there is no required minimum score!). International students must take the TOEFL. See Center for International Education.
Q: Is there any sort of placement test?
A: Prospective Teaching Assistants must take a proficiency test prior to being awarded a TAship.
Q: Can I study abroad and, if so, will the courses count?
A: If they haven't done so already, MAFLL students are encouraged to study abroad with the consent of their advisor. In order to receive credit, such courses must be approved in advance of travel.
Q: Can I take courses outside of the Department?
A: Yes, with the consent of the Grad Advisor, MAFLL students in Spanish may take some electives outside of the department.
Q: Is there a special form for Recommendation Letters?
A: We prefer that you ask your recommenders to use institutional stationery and to send their letters directly either to Prof. Jeffrey Oxford (oxford@uwm.edu), the Graduate Advisor in Spanish, or to Prof. Gabrielle Verdier (verdier@uwm.edu), the Coordinator of MAFLL.
Q: What is the deadline for applying to grad school?
A: See the Graduate School Bulletin. The Department has no fixed deadline.
Q: What programs of study are offered in Spanish at the graduate level?
A: MAFLL students in the Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese may choose either the "Standard Track" or the "Translation Track". In the Standard Track, students may have an emphasis on culture, literature or linguistics, but it is also possible to take certain electives outside of the department. The Translation Track allows for few electives.
Q: How long does it take to get an M.A.?
A: The MAFLL degree requires 30 credits and a Comprehensive Exam. It is possible to complete this work in 4-5 semesters.
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