Spanish - Degrees & Policies

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: BA, Minor
Graduate: MA, PhD

Advisement

Meeting with a departmental faculty advisor is strongly encouraged before students begin to pursue a Spanish major or minor. These advisors - who are also professors of some of the department's courses - can answer important questions about program requirements, course offerings, study abroad, and they can also help students map out projected plans of study.

For questions regarding all Spanish courses from the 200-level and higher or the Spanish B.A. and minor,students should schedule an appointment during the fall and academic semesters using the link on the department's webpage for majors and minors. At all other times they should write to rll-info@buffalo.edu or call the department main office at 716.645.2191

Questions regarding 100-level courses (SPA 101, SPA 102, SPA 104, SPA 151, SPA 152) should be directed to Dr. Barbara Avila-Shah (716.645.0867; bia@buffalo.edu).

SUNY Seamless Transfer Path

SUNY Seamless Transfer is a SUNY-wide program intended to make transferring to UB and other SUNY Schools simple and efficient for SUNY students. SUNY has defined courses that SUNY students can take before transferring which will apply to the major at UB and ensure timely graduation.

Information about the Transfer Path for this major can be found on the SUNY Website.

Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or department to discuss how their coursework will apply to their degree.

Acceptance Information

In order to be accepted into the Spanish major, a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses or their equivalents (SPA 101- SPA 102 sequence or SPA 104, and SPA 151-SPA 152) is required.

In order to be accepted into the Spanish minor, a minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses or their equivalents (SPA 101- SPA 102 sequence or SPA 104, and SPA 151-SPA 152) is required.

Academic Requirements

The department has a residency requirement: all students must complete at least 50% of required credits for a major or minor through Spanish coursework at a local UB campus. This means that a maximum of 50% of credits awarded due to exams (AP, IB, etc.) or earned from transfer courses with passing grades (including study abroad) may be applicable to required Spanish coursework and credits. Departmental review may be necessary. If students have questions, they should consult a departmental faculty advisor or the department's website (rll.buffalo.edu). The following chart explains the credit breakdown:

	Total Credits Required	Total credits to be fulfilled for the residency requirement
Regular major	39	21
Joint Major	30	15
Minor	18	9

Graduation requirements for the regular Spanish major also include completion of three 200-level courses (9 credit hours and ten 300/400-level courses (30 credit hours), all with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Graduation requirements for the double major are the same as those for the regular major.

A joint major exists for students who are interested in two fields of study but who find that completion of all requirements for regular majors in both fields is not possible. Department graduation requirements for the joint major include completion of three 200-level courses (9 credit hours) and seven 300/400-level courses (21 credit hours), all with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. In addition, the student must complete the joint major requirements for the other selected department. For the university's policy on the joint major, see Major Requirements under University Degree Requirements.

Graduation requirements to graduate with the Spanish minor include completion of two 200-level courses (6 credit hours) and four 300/400-level courses, all with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

See also University Degree Requirements.

Spanish - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses (see below) or their equivalents.

Prerequisite Courses

SPA 101-SPA 102 Elementary Spanish 1st-2nd Semester* or SPA 104 Transitional Elementary Spanish* or the equivalent
SPA 151-SPA 152 Intermediate Spanish 1st-2nd Semester* or the equivalent

*Appropriate level is based on placement and/or previous education, training, or experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Dr. Barbara Avila-Shah at 716-645-2131; bia@buffalo.edu

Required Courses

Three 200-level courses
Ten 300/400-level courses
SPA 314 also fulfills the UB Curriculum Communication Literacy 2 (CL2) requirement

Note: Three courses for the major may fulfill the UB Curriculum Global Pathway requirement through the Language and Culture track. Alternatively, courses for the major may help fulfill the Global Reflections track or the International Experience track of the Global Pathway. Please use the Pathfinder tool to learn more about sequences and options.

Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart

Prerequisites**	16
Requirements	34
Total Credits Required for Major**	50
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum	31
Additional Credits Required for Electives	39
Total Credits Required for Degree	120

**This total may vary depending on previously earned credit-bearing work (e.g., transfer courses, AP) or placement due to previous study/experience; please contact the department with any questions.

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (UB Curriculum) for general education and remaining university requirements.

Advising Notes

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the 200-level through the 400-level courses is necessary for degree conferral.

The joint major is reduced by three 300/400-level electives.

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

View the Curricular Plan for the Spanish BA which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in five years.

For students wishing to study abroad, different sequences of requirements should be reviewed in advance; see the Study Abroad section earlier in this program description for contact information.

Spanish - Minor

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses (see below) or their equivalents.

Prerequisite Courses

SPA 101-SPA 102 Elementary Spanish 1st-2nd Semester* or SPA 104 Transitional Elementary Spanish*
SPA 151-SPA 152 Intermediate Spanish 1st-2nd Semester*

*Appropriate level is based on placement and/or previous education, training, or experience, unless exempted. For clarification, contact Dr. Barbara Avila-Shah at 716.645.2191; bia@buffalo.edu.

Required Courses

Two SPA 200-level courses
Four SPA 300/400-level courses
SPA 314 also fulfills the UB Curriculum Communication Literacy 2 (CL2) requirement

Note: Three courses for the minor may fulfill the UB Curriculum Global Pathway requirement through the Language and Culture track. Alternatively, courses for the minor may help fulfill the Global Reflection track or the International Experience track of the Global Pathway. Please use the Pathfinder tool to learn more about sequences and options.

Minor Credit Requirements Chart

Prerequisites**	16
Requirements	18
Total Credits Required for Minor/Certificate**	34

**This total may vary depending on previously earned credit-bearing work (e.g., transfer courses, AP) or placement due to previous study/experience; please contact the department with any questions.

Minors and certificates must be completed in conjunction with a major and all university degree requirements must be met.

Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.

For students wishing to study abroad, different sequences of requirements should be reviewed in advance; see the Study Abroad section earlier in this program description for contact information.

Advising Notes

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the 200-level through the 400-level courses is necessary for successful completion of the minor.

Last updated: November 22 2021 21:01:55