Introduction to the Major
The Spanish and Portuguesemajor is designed to gain competence in written and spoken Spanish and/or Portuguese. This is accomplished through both the formal study of the linguistic structure and social history of one or both of these languages and a critical understanding of the development and achievements of their literatures in the Old World and in the New.
The major is ideal for students seeking preparation for:
- careers in international relations, law, journalism, business, social work, K-12 teaching, medicine, public service, and the arts and humanities
- graduate study in Spanish and Portuguese Literatures and Culture
- graduate study in Hispanic Linguistics or Linguistics
“The Spanish and Portuguese Department at Cal creates a welcoming environment that allowed me to be vulnerable while learning a new language.”
- Madison Dunlap, Class of 2019
Getting Started
Students pursuing the major choose a concentration based on general area of interest:
- Concentration A: The Languages, Literatures, and Cultures of the Spanish-speaking World
- Concentration B: The Languages, Literatures, and Cultures of the Portuguese-speaking World
- Concentration C: Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
- Concentration D: Hispanic Languages, Linguistics, and Bilingualism
Visit the Undergraduate Advisor if you are unsure about which concentration is the right fit for you.
Amplify Your Major
- Strengthen your language skills in Spanish or Portuguese by studying abroad.
- Do a deep dive into a research topic with the Spanish & Portuguese honors program.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Review major and college requirements.
- See the Spanish Placement Guide to determine your language level.
- Think about which concentration is right for you.
- Enroll in Freshman Seminars on interesting topics.
Connect and Build Community
- Discover hundreds of student organizations at the Calapalooza fair.
- Get matched with a graduate student mentor through Berkeley Connect.
- Form a study group via the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
- Explore new topics in student-facilitated DeCal courses.
- Take L&S1 for an introduction to the College.
- Attend the Summer Opportunities Fair to start planning your summer.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Research study abroad options in Spanish and Portuguese language and culture.
- Volunteer on campus or within the Berkeley community.
- Engage in community service through the Public Service Center.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Develop a plan for getting career ready.
- Map your skills and talents to career goals with the help of the Career Counseling Library.
- Join Handshake to find Berkeley-specific internships and career development workshops.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with the undergraduate advisor for pre-major advising on choosing a concentration, prerequisite courses, and declaring the major.
- Consider a double major or a minor and summer minor or certificate to amplify your major.
Connect and Build Community
- Join the Spanish Conversation Club Amig@s or Portuguese conversation meetup Bate-Papo.
- Attend lecture events hosted by the department.
- Go to office hours to build relationships with professors and graduate student instructors.
Discover Your Passions
- Assist a professor in their research through the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program
- Follow a Course Thread of your interest.
- Take a Big Ideas course to connect the dots between disciplines.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Study abroad as a sophomore, junior or senior with Berkeley Study Abroad
- Visit the International House to find cultural opportunities and events.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Meet alumni and learn about their career paths in the Career Connections Networking Series
- Conduct Informational Interviews to learn more about different career fields
- Attend internship fairs to find internship opportunities.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Begin enrolling in the upper division requirements for your concentration.
- Utilize the resources at the Berkeley Language Center
- Talk with the undergraduate advisor about the Spanish & Portuguese honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Connect with campus organizations, student government, and co-curricular activities through the LEAD Center
- Continue to build relationships with Spanish & Portuguese faculty by going to office hours.
Discover Your Passions
- Apply for fellowships to fund your own research.
- Connect with Spanish & Portuguese faculty members who share your research interests.
- Apply to summer research opportunities such as the SURF Program and Haas Scholars Program.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
- Take classes at another UC or college through a visitor and exchange program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Explore post-graduation options at career and graduate school fairs
- Join Employer Information Sessions and network with professionals from a variety of industries.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Finish completing the upper division requirements for your concentration.
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Check-in with an L&S advisor to ensure you are on track to fulfill all college and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
- Join the SLC Language Exchange Program to practice your language skills with a peer.
- Apply to become an L&S peer advisor
- Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to the Berkeley community.
Discover Your Passions
- Facilitate your own DeCal course on a topic you are interested in or passionate about.
- Look to publish your research in academic undergraduate journals on-campus.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Pursue fellowships as an option after Berkeley.
- Explore gap year opportunities for a break before the next adventure.
- Consider the Alternative Breaks program to go on service-learning trips over school breaks.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Get help from Berkeley Career Engagementthe Career Center with job searches, interviews, and applying to graduate school.
- Boost your Networking skills by attending events with Berkeley alumni.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Apply for jobs or graduate school.
Jobs and Employers
- Archaeology Intern, Presidio Trust
- Clinical Research Coordinator, UCSF Medical Center
- Community Affairs, Consulate General of Mexico in SF
- Community Engagement, Immigrants Rising
- Community Manager, Localwise
- Consultant, Triage Consulting Group
- Cyber Threat Analyst, Darktrace
- Fellow-Case Management, Americorps
- Health Educator, Public Health Institute
- Human Resources Assistant, UC Berkeley
- Office Manager, Oasis Legal Services
- Recruiter, Pinpoint Partners
- Researcher, Ceres Policy Research
- Spanish Interpreter/Translator, New Haven Unified School District
- Teacher, KIPP LA Schools
Graduate Programs
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Comparative Literature
- Education
- Elementary Education
- International Relations
- Law School
- Linguistics
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Romance Language & Literature
- Secondary Education
- Social Work
- Spanish Language & Literature
- Speech Pathology
Sampled from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit spanish-portuguese.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can email the undergraduate advisor with any questions, and/or set up an in-person or zoom advising appointment here: spanua@berkeley.edu
For general information about the Spanish & Portuguese major, visit spanish-portuguese.berkeley.edu/undergraduate.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
