The degrees offered are the master of arts in Portuguese and the doctor of philosophy with a major in Portuguese. In addition, the department offers a doctoral minor in Spanish or Portuguese, consisting of 9 credits of graduate study.
An integrated curriculum in Portuguese languages, literatures, and linguistics provides training at the master's and Ph.D. levels and assures that graduates are prepared to contribute as professionals in the fields of teaching and research. An active program of research contributes to new knowledge in Spanish and Portuguese. A comprehensive group of courses is offered in rotation during the academic year so that candidates may take courses in all fields. Classes are conducted in Portuguese.
The department's graduate program in Portuguese is consistently among the finest in the country. Twenty to twenty-five teaching assistantships are offered each year to graduate candidates in Spanish and Portuguese. A full complement of courses in Portuguese, Brazilian, and Luso-African literatures, culture, and linguistics is offered on a regular basis.
Fellowships, scholarships, teaching assistantships, and project assistantships are available to qualified graduate degree candidates.
Students pursuing advanced degrees in this department are advised to include in their training work in other languages and literatures, art, social sciences, linguistics, film studies, and philosophy. A knowledge of other languages is strongly recommended for advanced work in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian fields.

