The Department of Spanish & Portuguese provides a range of options for undergraduates to major, minor, meet language requirements, or broaden their linguistic and cultural proficiency. Regardless of your proficiency level, you'll find a suitable pathway.
This page will walk you through how to get started in studying Spanish and/or Portuguese.
Quick References
The Quick Reference Diagrams summarize the information on this page and provide a visual map of the pathways through language learning and beyond.
Satisfying the Language Requirement
Students furthering their Spanish and/or Portuguese education will start by satisfying the language requirement.
There are a few ways to fulfill the language requirement, depending on whether you're pursuing Spanish or Portuguese and your prior experience with the language.
Spanish Language Requirement
In most cases, students will take the Spanish Language Placement test and complete the course sequence in which they're placed. In some cases, students may also fulfill the language requirement through advanced placement.
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Fulfill via Course Sequence
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Students who have previously studied Spanish will start by taking the Spanish Language Placement Test.
- Take the Spanish Language Placement Test.
- Complete the course sequence you're placed in.
Once you've completed your course sequence, you will have fulfilled the language requirement.
New to Spanish?Students who have not previously studied Spanish can enroll directly in SPA 101 and complete Sequence 1 to fulfill the language requirement. They do not need to take the Placement Test.
Spanish Course Sequences
Once all courses in the sequence have been completed, the Language Requirement will be fulfilled.
- Sequence 1
- SPA 101
- SPA 102
- SPA 107
- Sequence 2
- SPA 103
- SPA 107
- Sequence 3
- SPA 105
- SPA 108
- Sequence 4
- SPA 108
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Fulfill via Advanced Placement
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Students who received qualifying standardized test score, as outlined on the AP table on the Undergraduate Advising site, have fulfilled the language requirement.
- Spanish SAT: 760 or greater
- Spanish AP: 5
- IB Score (Higher Level): 7
- British A-level: A
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Fulfill via High School Education in Spanish [International]
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International students who have completed their high school education in Spanish or have achieved academic fluency in Spanish by other means may be able to fulfill the language requirement.
Eligible students should contact the Associate Director of the Spanish Language Program to discuss how to demonstrate proficiency
Portuguese Language Requirement
In most cases, students will meet with the Director of the Portuguese Language Program to determine the appropriate course sequence. In some cases, students may also be able to fulfill based on Portuguese fluency.
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Fulfill via Course Sequence
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- Meet with Director for Placement: Each student will be placed in a course sequence after meeting with the Director of the Portuguese Language Program.
- Contact: Reach out to the Director of the Portuguese Language Program via email to schedule a meeting.
- Contact: Reach out to the Director of the Portuguese Language Program via email to schedule a meeting.
- Complete Course Sequence:
Completing all courses in the sequence where you're placed will fulfill the language requirement.
New to Portuguese?Students who have not previously studied Portuguese can enroll directly in POR 101 and complete Sequence 1 to fulfill the language requirement.
Portuguese Course Sequence
Once all courses in the sequence are completed, the Language Requirement will be satisfied.
- Meet with Director for Placement: Each student will be placed in a course sequence after meeting with the Director of the Portuguese Language Program.
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Fulfill via Fluency
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International students who are fluent in a language may be able to fulfill the language requirement based on their fluency.
Students will need to demonstrate their proficiency and receive special permission from the professor.
For more information, please reach out to the Director of the Portuguese Language Program.
Continuing in the Language
Once you've satisfied the language requirement, you can take advantage of all the various classes and opportunities that the department offers.
Expand your horizons and enrich your education by immersing yourself in the culture, language, and people of locations across the Spanish-speaking & Portuguese-speaking world.
Learn about the literature, culture, and societies of the Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking world. View the requirements on how to declare a Spanish or Portuguese major.
Check requirements and application information for declaring a minor in Spanish or Portuguese.
Contacts
For questions about the Spanish language placement test or demonstrating Spanish language proficiency, Spanish tables and tutoring, please contact:
For questions about the Teacher Prep Program, or receiving credit for Spanish language-level course taken outside of Princeton, please contact: