Students sitting in grass talking

Undergraduate Admissions

Our department offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in Spanish language, literature, and culture, as well as a Brazilian Studies minor and Portuguese language instruction.

Apply to KU

We offer an intensive program for students seeking fluency in Spanish or Portuguese or both. If you have studied Spanish or Portuguese in high school, the Department's advisors can help you determine which courses you should take. You may be eligible for retroactive credit for high school language courses. 

Advanced courses in grammar, composition, conversation, literature and culture are offered every semester on campus, and in summer study abroad programs in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Spain. We offer flexibility in the choice of fields. Our students are a diverse group, and we encourage applicants from traditional and nontraditional backgrounds.

If you're thinking about earning an advanced degree in Spanish, you should know that the department offers Master's and Doctoral degrees in literature. 

To make an appointment with an undergraduate advisor, go online to Jayhawk GPS, call 785-864-2834, or go to Summerfield Hall room 315.

Admission Requirements FAQ

To apply to study Spanish & Portuguese at KU, you must submit the following: 

  • an online application at the Admissions website.
  • application fee of $30.00
  • Meet 1 of these 3 conditions:
        -ACT/SAT scores:
          Kansas residents, 21 or higher on ACT; 980 or higher on SAT
          Out of state, 24 or higher on ACT; 1090 or higher on SAT or
        -Rank in top third of your high school class or
        -Complete Kansas Regents Qualified Curriculum: 
          Kansas Residents, with a 2.0 or higher
          Out of state with a 2.5 GPA or higher
     

In order to apply for a Brazilian Studies minor, you need to have taken PORT 212 (or the equivalent). Students need six 3-credit-hour courses (total of 18 credit hours) to complete the minor. To make an appointment with an undergraduate advisor, go online to Jayhawk GPS, call 785-864-2834, or go to Summerfield Hall room 315.

For more information about the Minor in Brazilian Studies, view the Brazilian Studies Minor Requirements.

For more information about the undergraduate programs offered by the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, view the Academics page.

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a minor in Spanish consisting of eight courses, 20 credit hours, in which students pursue studies at the intermediate and advanced levels. Many students fulfill some of the requirements for the minor through courses taken in study abroad programs offered by the department and the Office of Study Abroad. The Spanish Minor requirements are available here.

To declare a minor in Spanish, make an appointment with an undergraduate advisor by going online to Jayhawk GPS, calling 785-864-2834, or going to Summerfield Hall room 315 to fill out a minor declaration form. The advisor will review the requirements with you and assist with the paperwork for declaring a minor.

In order to apply for a Spanish major, you need to have taken SPAN 324 (or the equivalent) and SPAN 328. Make an appointment with an undergraduate advisor by going online to Jayhawk GPS, calling 785-864-2834, or going to Summerfield Hall room 315 to fill out a major declaration form. For more information about the undergraduate programs offered by the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, view the academics page.

If you've taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate high school courses, you may be able to receive college credit and placement in higher level KU SPAN courses. Please visit KU’s Admission page on earning credit for high school work for current details.

Advanced Placement Credit

If you score a or 5 on a Spanish AP exam, you should start with SPAN 324: Grammar and Composition (3 hr.) and/or SPAN 328: Intermediate Spanish Conversation (2 hr.) at KU. You will receive credit for SPAN 108 (hr.), SPAN 212 (3 hr.), and SPAN 216 (3 hr.).
Total: 11 credits                

If you score a on a Spanish AP exam, you should start with SPAN 216: Intermediate II (3 hr.) at KU. You will receive credit for SPAN 108 (5 hr.) and SPAN 212 (3 hr.). 
Total: 8 credits

International Baccalaureate Credit

SubjectScoreLevelCredit Earned
Spanish A4+ (Lang)HL, SL9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322
Spanish A4+ (Lit)HL, SL9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322
Spanish A4+ (Lang + Lit)HL, SL9 hours, SPAN 212, 216 & 322
Spanish B6-7HL9 hours, SPAN 212 & 216
Spanish B4-5SL5 hours, SPAN 111
Spanish B6-7SL8 hours, SPAN 111 & 212

Please visit KU’s Admissions webpage or use the table above to determine what credit you earn based on the IBE exam you take and the score earned. If you have credit through SPAN 216 and/or SPAN 322, you can begin Spanish coursework with SPAN 324 and SPAN 328 at KU. If you earn credit for SPAN 212, you begin with SPAN 216. If you earn credit for SPAN 111, you begin with SPAN 212.

For questions involving these credits, please make an appointment with an undergraduate advisor by going online to Jayhawk GPS, calling 785-864-2834, or going to Summerfield Hall room 315

Students with no prior college or university Spanish course credit are eligible for retroactive credit according to this formula:

         • 3 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a third-level Spanish course (SPAN 212) and receives a grade of C or higher.

         • 6 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a fourth-level Spanish course (SPAN 216) and receives a grade of C or higher.

         • 9 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a 3-credit-hour Spanish course (SPAN 322, 323 or 324) with a fourth-level course as a prerequisite and receives a grade of C or higher.

Students interested in retroactive credit should consult the department before enrolling.

To apply for retroactive credit, bring a complete application to the Spanish and Portuguese main office in 2650 Wescoe. A complete application for retroactive credit includes:

        • A copy of your high school transcript (this can be obtained at Admissions and Scholarships).

        • A copy of your Degree Progress Report from the myKU portal.

        • A note from you stating that you wish to apply for retroactive credit.

Regardless of the number of credits, you will be charged $50.00 by the Bursar’s office after the credits have been applied to your transcript.