Program: Spanish BA - University at Buffalo

Jul 18, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

As one of our students said, they chose Spanish because, “I knew the importance of being bilingual and the rapid growth of the Spanish-speaking population.” In fact, Spanish is one of the five most common languages on the planet, spoken from Spain and South America to Mexico and the U.S.-which is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. This program is for people who love learning about languages and enjoy being immersed in some of the world’s most diverse cultures.

Visit the Spanish academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Romance Languages and Literatures department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Spanish BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Major Requirements

Introductory Language Core (0-16 credits)*

Select one of the following Introductory Spanish Courses:

Sequence 1:
SPA 101LEC - Elementary Spanish 1st Semester Credits: 5
SPA 102LEC - Elementary Spanish 2nd Semester Credits: 5
SPA 151LEC - Intermediate Spanish 1st Semester Credits: 3
SPA 152LEC - Intermediate Spanish 2nd Semester Credits: 3
Sequence 2:
SPA 111DIS - Elementary Spanish I Credits: 3
SPA 112DIS - Elementary Spanish II Credits: 3
SPA 201DIS - Intermediate Spanish I Credits: 3
SPA 202DIS - Intermediate Spanish II Credits: 3

Spanish Core (36 credits)

Two 200 level courses:
SPA 207LEC - Spanish Conversation and Language Workshop Credits: 3
SPA 208LEC - Spanish Composition and Language Workshop Credits: 3
SPA 210LEC - How to Read a Spanish Text Credits: 3
One Earlier Literature course:
SPA 301LEC - Survey of Spanish Literature: Middle Ages to Seventeenth Century Credits: 3
SPA 303LEC - Romanticism and Realism in Spain Credits: 3
SPA 304LEC - Early Spanish American Literature Credits: 3
SPA 305LEC - Spanish Literature of the Middle Ages Credits: 3
SPA 317LEC - Spanish Literature of the Golden Age Credits: 3
One Linguistic Focus course:
SPA 313LEC - Advanced Grammar Credits: 3
SPA 314SEM - Advanced Communication for Students of Spanish Credits: 3
SPA 325LEC - Phonetics Credits: 3
SPA 382LEC - Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Theory Credits: 3
SPA 413LEC - Grammar: Writing and Translation Credits: 3
One Non-European Literature and Culture course:
SPA 311LEC - Survey of Spanish American Literature Credits: 3
SPA 320LEC - Contemporary Spanish American Literature Credits: 3
SPA 328LEC - Spanish American Culture and Civilization Credits: 3
SPA 330LEC - Spanish American Themes Credits: 3
SPA 350LEC - Topics in Spanish American Short Story Credits: 3
One Non-Literary Cultural Production course:
SPA 323LEC - Business Spanish Credits: 3
SPA 324LEC - Medical and Health-Related Spanish Credits: 3
SPA 416LEC - Spanish American Theatre Credits: 3
SPA 435LEC - Latin American Film Credits: 3
Six Spanish 300/400 level Electives (See AAR for list of course options)

Notes

*Students are required to complete Introductory Language Core courses unless some or all are waived by the Department based on demonstrated proficiency. Students with absolutely no prior instruction in Spanish may enroll in SPA 111. All other students must take the online exam to determine correct placement: https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/romance-languages-literatures/language-placement-testing.html

The introductory sequence consists of four courses: Elementary I, Elementary II, Intermediate I, and Intermediate II.

Total Credits Required for Major: 36-52

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.000 in all Spanish coursework.

Students who wish to complete most of the requirements of a major in two distinct but related fields may choose to do a joint major. The Spanish half of a joint major requires completion of two 200-level courses and seven 300- or 400-level courses with a minimum major GPA of 2.000. In addition, the student must complete the joint major requirements for the other selected department.

Transfer Credit Policy

The department’s residency requirement stipulates that at least 50% of required credits for a major or minor be completed via Spanish courses taken on campus.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

All students are encouraged to use this plan in conjunction with other academic planning resources such as your academic advisor, the HUB Academic Advisement Report , My Planner and Path Finder tool.

In addition to following this course roadmap, all other admission and academic requirements of this major as listed in the Undergraduate Catalog must be met in order to successfully complete this degree.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

UB Seminar Credits: 3
Introductory Language Core Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry Lab Credits: 1
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
Total Credits: 13 or 14

Spring Semester

Elective Credits: 3
Introductory Language Core Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 2 Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15 or 16

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

SPA 200 level Requirement Credits: 3
Math and Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester

SPA 200 level Requirement Credits: 3
Earlier Literature Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

Two (2) SPA 300/400 level Electives AND Three (3) Electives Credits:15 OR Departmentally-approved study abroad (if not done senior year) Credits: 15
Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

Non-European Literature and Culture Credits: 3
Linguistics Focus Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
Total Credits: 13

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

Non-Literary Cultural Production AND Two (2) SPA 300/400 level Electives AND Two Electives Credits: 15 OR Departmentally-approved study abroad (if not done junior year) Credits: 15
UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1
Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester

SPA 300/400 level Electives Credits: 3
SPA 300/400 level Electives Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 2
Total Credits: 14

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

Develop Language competence and communicative strategies: Language competence involves the development of listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in the target language
Apply knowledge of language history
Identify and utilize linguistic core concepts
Identify and analyze rhetorical strategies in different texts and genres
Apply knowledge of cultural and/or theoretical contexts
Locate and interpret sources, produce original research
Incorporate sources and modes of analysis from multiple disciplines and media
Appraise material critically
Recognize and cultivate personal growth

(HEGIS: 11.05 SPANISH, CIP: 16.0905 Spanish Language and Literature)