Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Spanish and Portuguese

BA Degree with a Major in Spanish and Portuguese

Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Spanish and Portuguese, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced level of communicative proficiency when writing, speaking, listening to, reading and translating Spanish or Portuguese, including a high degree of ability in interacting with native Spanish or Portuguese speakers and text.
2. Demonstrate analytical competence and independent and critical thinking skills by analyzing and responding to Spanish or Portuguese communications, including: identifying and evaluating arguments, ideas, and evidence, constructing critical responses to Spanish or Portuguese texts, and pursuing independent study or research in some facet of Spanish or Portuguese language or culture.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the social, historical, political, and cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world and Spanish-speaking communities and apply this knowledge to reading and analyzing authentic cultural products, including literature, art, and film. They will understand how these cultural products reflect or construct facets of the Spanish-speaking world’s history, culture, and identity.

BA Degree with a Major in Spanish and Portuguese

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing BA degree with a major in Spanish and Portuguese must complete: 

• A minimum of 50 courses (30 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 520 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 8 courses (24 credit hours) taken at 300-level or above.
• A maximum of 4 courses (52 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see Policies tab. 

courses listed below satisfy this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways:

1. Completing at least two years of full-time study in an English language curriculum prior to submitting an application.

2. Submitting one of the following official test scores.

• The Coalition Application or the Common Application and Rice writing supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee (must be paid online)
• Official high school transcript in English (or a certified English translation)
• Recommendation Letters
  • School Counselor
  • Teacher 5
  • Teacher 2
• Demonstration of English proficiency
• International Student Financial Statement
• Architecture portfolio (Architecture applicants only)