Program Contact: Aileen Dever  203-582-8500

The major in Hispanic and Latin American Studies offers students the opportunity to embark upon a life-changing journey into new cultures and enriching experiences. Students at every level of proficiency in Spanish can complete the major alone or in conjunction with another major in four years. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and personalized to meet each student’s learning goals. Students can take courses in English, History, Political Science, and other fields of study across the university that interconnect with Hispanic and Latin American Studies. This major frees students to make choices that align with their own personal and professional interests as they expand their intellectual horizons in unique and exciting ways.

With its notable flexibility, the Hispanic and Latin American Studies major works exceptionally well as a double major and is an excellent way to pursue passions, open career opportunities, and stand out in a competitive job market. Study Abroad is enthusiastically encouraged to fulfill major or university requirements and as a gateway to explore our world.

The major in Hispanic and Latin American Studies requires the completion of 30 credits. At least 15 of the 30 credits needed for the major must be completed on campus. Please note that students can opt to take culture and literature courses in English by registering for "HSP" designated courses. Students who wish to read and write in Spanish should register for "SP" culture and literature courses.

The department rewards students who do outstanding work in their language, literature and culture courses with membership in Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society. 

                                                                                                                                     “To educate is to free.”

                                                                                                                                                             ~ José Martí

Students majoring in Hispanic and Latin American Studies must meet the following requirements for graduation:

University Curriculum 146
Modern Language Requirement3-6
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
Complete the following courses (or their equivalents) to demonstrate written and oral fluency:6
Intermediate Spanish II
Advanced Spanish
Complete the following courses to demonstrate cultural literacy: 29
The Culture and Civilization of Spain
The Culture and Civilization of Spain
Latin American Cultures I
Latin American Cultures I
Latin American Cultures II
Latin American Cultures II
Complete 6 credits in courses on Spanish and Latin-American literatures: 26
Masterpieces of Spanish Literature
Masterpieces of Spanish Literature
Classics of Spanish-American Literature Literature
Classics of Spanish-American Literature
Complete 6 credits of electives from the following: 26
Literature of the Americas
Colonial Latin America
Introduction to Latin America
Introductory Spanish for Health Professions
Environmental Spanish
Environmental Spanish
Puerto Rican Culture
Puerto Rican Culture
Spanish for Business
Legal Spanish
Cuban Culture
Cuban Culture
Exploring Global Engagement Through Language
Exploring Global Engagement Through Language
Spanish for Health Professions I
Spanish for Health Professions II
Advanced Conversation
Approaches to Literary Genres
Spanish American Literature from the Conquest to 1880
Spanish American Literature from 1880 to Present
Nineteenth-Century Literature of Spain
Culture of Spain
Spanish Drama and Poetry of the Golden Age
The Modern Spanish Short Story
The Modern Spanish Short Story
History of the Romance Languages
History of the Romance Languages
The Spanish Caribbean
Spanish Caribbean
Advanced Spanish Grammar
Advanced Spanish Grammar
Students may take 3 credits from the following list of 1 credit micro-courses to count in the elective category:
Spanish Film Club
Spanish Film Club
Folklore of the Americas
Folklore of the Americas
Food and Culture in the Hispanic World
Food and Culture in the Hispanic World
Environmental Issues in Hispanic Countries
Environmental Issues in Hispanic Countries
Conversations in Spanish
Art in Spain and Latin America
Art in Spain and Latin America
Free Electives35-38
Total Credits114-120
1

All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements.

2

Students may select other courses in consultation with their adviser and department chair approval. 

Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree in Hispanic and Latin American Studies, students will demonstrate the following proficiences:

1. Oral and Written Communication: Attain a high degree of linguistic proficiency in spoken and written expression. Students will achieve reading and writing literacy as well as oral and aural ability to communicate in Spanish.

2. Critical and Creative Thinking: Re-envision new ways to think about themselves and the multifaceted world in which they live.

3. Diversity Awareness and Sensitivity: Demonstrate intercultural competency to interpret and address complex problems that require knowledge and understanding of diverse perspectives in order to work collaboratively and constructively with others. Students will acquire knowledge of the traditions as well as the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of Spanish-speaking peoples.

4. Analysis: Evaluate ideas, sources and contexts to base arguments on evidence and reason. Students will analyze a variety of recognized works of peninsular Spanish and Latin-American literatures.

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BA in Hispanic and Latin American Studies

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BA in Hispanic and Latin American Studies program. Below is a recommended plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Elementary Spanish I 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Spring Semester
English II 3
Elementary Spanish II 4
Elective 3-4
Elective 3-4
 Credits13-15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Intermediate Spanish I 3
Elective 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Spring Semester
Intermediate Spanish II 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits59-62

Quinnipiac encourages transfer students to consider studying abroad at Colegio Delibes in Salamanca, Spain, during the summer after the sophomore year. Students could take "Intensive Course A" for 5 weeks and 100 contact hours to transfer SP 301 and SP 302 to Quinnipiac, or could study for 4 weeks for credits for SP 301 only. For more information on this study-abroad opportunity, please contact Professor Aileen Dever.

Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.

First Year
Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher.
Fall Semester
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing3
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
Math course. Satisfies UC Foundational Inquiry3
SP 202Intermediate Spanish II (Based on Placement)3
University Curriculum Disciplinary Inquiry Course3
Spring Semester
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
SP 301Advanced Spanish3
University Curriculum Disciplinary Inquiry Course3
University Curriculum Disciplinary Inquiry Course3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry I Course3
Second Year
Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities.
Fall Semester
HSP 210The Culture and Civilization of Spain (or SP 210)3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry I Course3
University Curriculum Course Natural Science and Lab4
University Curriculum Intercultural Course3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry I Course3
Spring Semester
HSP 221Masterpieces of Spanish Literature (or SP 221)3
Major Elective3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry II Course3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry II Course3
University Curriculum Personal Inquiry II Course3
Third Year
Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities.
Fall Semester
SP 373Latin American Cultures I3
Advanced Elective at 300-400 level3
Major Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
SP 374Latin American Cultures II3
Advanced Elective at 300-400 level3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Fourth Year
Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation.
Fall Semester
HSP 371Classics of Spanish-American Literature (or SP 371)3
Advanced Elective at 300-400 level 3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Total Credits121