Spanish is spoken by nearly 550 million people worldwide and is an official language in 21 countries and a number of international organizations. Spanish is among the four most spoken languages in the world and has more native speakers than any language except Chinese. Fluency in Spanish opens countless career opportunities for students.

The Spanish minor provides exceptional preparation for students interested in a career in business, international affairs, social services, government, health care, communication, translation, marketing, teaching or any profession that requires bilingual written or oral communication skills and cultural understanding. Whether you already have some Spanish communication skills or are starting at the beginning, you will develop both your language capabilities as well as your cultural competence as part of our program. Classes focus on not only language, but literature, linguistics, customs, values, and culture so that students leave UWM ready to speak, read, write and understand Spanish in business and social contexts. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize our Center for International Education to take advantage of study abroad experiences available in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Spain. Some students go short-term such as a week or two while others choose to stay abroad for a summer program, a semester or a year.

The Spanish minor can be completed with most Spanish courses at the 300-level and above. Students who plan to pursue healthcare careers will find value in our Certificate in Spanish for Health Professionals. The certificate is similar to a minor in terms of the number of credits required and can enhance a student's resume. 

Requirements

The minor in Spanish consists of 18 credits at the 300 level or above, at least 9 of these in residence at UWM. These credits may include a maximum of 3 credits selected from SPANISH 371 and PORTUGS 360. No literature-in-translation courses may count toward the minor.

The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work, is required.

Letters & Science Minor Advising

Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.

Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.

Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.