Spanish Studies

Our faculty and students examine, collaborate and promote a humanistic and artistic engagement as we navigate the complexities of today’s world. We strive to prepare globally-aware graduates with a profound knowledge of the language as well as the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking worlds.

We offer

Individualized Instruction

Small class sizes with award-winning faculty

Experiential Opportunities

Study abroad, internships, and community outreach

Professional and Career Preparation

Career advising and co-curricular activities related to professional goals

Degree Areas

Major

Our program fosters the study of the human experience as expressed in the language, dialects, literatures, and cultures of Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The program connects the learning of the Spanish language to the acquisition of practical skills that are immediately useful in real-world settings.

minor

The Minor in Spanish promotes the study of the liberal arts and assists in creating more globally aware, internationally focused graduates with knowledge of the language as well as the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

ma in Hispanic Literature

Our program provides study in the language, literatures, and cultures of Spain and Latin America, with an emphasis on Spanish and Spanish–American literatures and scholarly investigation. The program is designed primarily for students who plan to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

ma in Spanish/bi-lingual studies

Our program provides the foundation and academic preparation to pursue advanced work in Spanish linguistics and further develop fluency in the Spanish language. Students gain a cultural understanding and behavior as they study language acquisition and social patterns of language use.

phd in hispanic cultural studies

The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Hispanic Cultural Studies provides study in the literature, language and cultures of Spain and Latin America. Students will select a primary and a secondary area of emphasis.

10 programs

8 cities

3 Countries

Study Abroad Programs

To further foster exploration of the language and culture, classroom experiences are enhanced by students’ participation in any of the multiple department-sponsored study abroad programs. Students can earn credit towards their major or minor programs.

Placement Testing

Anyone with prior French and Spanish experience (except heritage/native speakers or students with AP/IB scores) and/or two or more years of high school instruction should plan to take the placement test.

Contact Information

Spanish 100- and 200-level course placement:
Francisco Morales

French 100- and 200-level course placement:
Matt Kanefsky

For questions regarding equivalencies of language courses from other institutions, consult: transfer.msu.edu

featured News

Tony Grubbs Appointed Chair of RCS

Associate Professor of Spanish Tony Grubbs has been appointed Chair of the Department of Romance and Classical Studies (RCS) in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University. The five-year appointment is effective August 16, 2020 through August 15, 2025. Dr. Grubbs has been the Interim Chair for the Department of Romance and Classical Studies since August 1, 2018.

Valentina Denzel: Exploring Our Past to Better Understand Our Present

Sometimes to understand our current worldview, it is necessary to examine and understand the events of our past, at least according to Assistant Professor of French Valentina Denzel, whose area of research focuses on how the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual and philosophical European movement during the 18th century, continues to shape our everyday life.

MSU Receives $160,000 in HWW Global Midwest Grants

Three project teams that include MSU College of Arts & Letters faculty and students were among the 10 teams receiving funding in the 2016 Humanities Without Walls (HWW) Global Midwest Grants. In total, the teams received over $160,000 in grants.