Spanish and Portuguese Studies - University of Washington
  300/400 Level Frequently Asked Questions



SEEING THE ADVISER


Q: Where can I find the Adviser's schedule?


A: The Adviser's typical office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 3:00pm; and include drop-in advising for questions that can be answered briefly, and appointments for in-depth advising such as study abroad and course planning. For information on the adviser's current schedule or to make an appointment, please call (206) 543-2020 or stop by the main office in Padelford C-104. Please note that the main office is closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm Monday through Friday.



Q: I just have a quick question. Do I have to make an appointment to see the Adviser?

A: No. If your question can be answered briefly, you may contact the Adviser via e-mail at spsadv@u.washington.edu. You are also welcome to stop by during drop-in hours. Typically, drop-in advising is available in the early mornings and afternoons Monday-Thursday. For information on the adviser's current schedule, please call (206) 543-2020 or stop by the main office in Padelford C-104. Please note that the main office is closed from 12:00pm to 1:00pm Monday through Friday.



Q: I am trying to reach the Adviser, but I get her voice mail. What should I do?

A: Frequently, Suzanna is meeting with students or faculty and cannot answer the phone. If you are calling from a local number, leave her a message and she will return your call as soon as possible. If you have a long distance phone number, please send an e-mail message to spsadv@u.washington.edu.



MAJOR REQUIREMENTS


Q: What are the admission requirements for the Spanish major and where can I get the necessary forms?

A: Our prerequisites, procedure for declaring the major, and the declaration form are all on our website. Also, handouts are available in the bin outside the Adviser's office in Padelford C-104F.



Q: Where can I find the Spanish major requirements?

A: On our website go to Programs, Undergraduate Program link and then Spanish Major Requirements.



Q: How many Spanish classes do I have to take before declaring the major?

A: You need to have finished SPAN 203. This means you may not declare the major while 203 is in progress, unless you are leaving on a study abroad program. In this case, please drop off the necessary major declaration paperwork before leaving Seattle. If you meet the minimum prerequisites, the adviser will admit you to the major while you are abroad. For a complete list of prerequisites, please see Programs, Undergraduate Program, and then Admission to the Spanish Major.



Q: What happens if I have not met one of the major prerequisites?

A: You are not eligible for admission to the Spanish major. However, if you have extenuating circumstances which you would like to present to the Undergraduate Studies Committee, please turn in a written petition to the Adviser. If Suzanna is busy when you stop by, please leave the letter in her inbox in the main office, Padelford C-104. Your petition will be reviewed and you will be notified of the Committee's decision.



Q: Is it true that the Spanish major is no longer competitive?

A: Yes. As of winter quarter 2008, the major became a minimum prerequisite major, which means that if you have satisfied all the prerequisites listed on our website, you will be admitted.



Q: Which courses count as 300-level elective literature courses toward the major degree requirements?

A: You may choose from any of the following courses: SPAN 304-308, 319, 339, 340, or 350-352.



Q: Is it true that study abroad or experiential learning is now required to complete the Spanish major?

A: Yes. For more detailed information regarding program requirements, please view Spanish Major Requirements from the link to Undergraduate Program.



Q: I am interested in doing Experiential Learning. What is the next step?

A: Please contact the Academic Counselor, Suzanna Martínez, for an overview of the process.



DECLARING THE MAJOR


Q: I would like to declare the Spanish major but do not understand how to fill out the Change of College/School and Major or Minor form. What should I do?

A: There are four sections you need to complete: your student number, name, signature, and date. In addition, be sure to write your email address on the top of the form in case Suzanna Martínez, the Adviser, needs to contact you. Important!: If you are adding Spanish as a second major/degree, or intending to drop a previously-declared major, please attach a note of explanation to your paperwork.



Q: Where do I turn in the required paperwork to declare the major?

A: Paperwork should be dropped off in Suzanna Martínez' inbox in the main office, Padelford, C-104.



Q: I turned in the Change of College/School and Major or Minor form with a copy of my unofficial transcript. When will I know if I was accepted to the major or not?

A: Forms will be processed and sent to the Registrar's Office by the fifth Friday of the quarter. If you have met all the prerequisites listed on our website, you will be admitted. Also, the Adviser will send out a 'welcome to the major' email that includes helpful orientation and resource information.



Q: I have read all the website information about declaring the major, but still have unanswered questions. How can I set up an appointment to meet with the Adviser?

A: You should call (206) 543-2020 or stop by Padelford C-104 to schedule an appointment. Appointments cannot be made via e-mail.



Q: I have just declared the major and would like help with course planning, what should I do?

A: Make an appointment with the adviser by calling (206) 543-2020 or stopping by Padelford C-104. Appointments cannot be made via e-mail.



THE SPANISH MINOR


Q: Who can answer my questions about the Spanish minor?

A: Some of your questions can be answered by your major adviser. If you have questions s/he cannot answer, you should make an appointment with the Spanish adviser by calling (206) 543-2020 or stopping by Padelford C-104. Appointments cannot be made via e-mail.



Q: I want to declare a minor in Spanish. What is the next step?

A: Although no adviser’s signature is necessary to declare a minor, it is strongly recommended that you meet with either your major adviser or the Spanish adviser. To make an appointment with Suzanna, please call (206) 543-2020.



Q: If I declare a minor in Spanish, will I get some kind of registration priority?

A: No. We have a large number of Spanish majors, so they are given registration priority in Period I.



REGISTRATION


Q: Help! I am a non-matriculated student and need signatures on my registration form.

A: First, you need instructor permission and his/her signature for 300 and 400-level courses. For the second signature, please see Suzanna Martínez, who is authorized to sign for the Chair. You may see her during drop-in hours. If you want to take a lower division course, please see Lani Phillips in Padelford C-106.



Q: I am a Spanish minor and really need a 300-level course. When can I register?

A: Except for SPAN 301, non-majors register in Period II. Detailed registration policy is available on our website. Please do not contact Suzanna before you try to register, unless the course you need is full by the time Period II begins.



Q: I want to take a 400-level course that says "Entry Code required" in the Time Schedule. What do I do?

A: Please email the adviser at spsadv@u.washington.edu, including your student #, SLN, and brief description of your situation (e.g. Spanish major, minor, senior with GSP, etc.). The adviser does not pass out entry codes, but will register students based on need, until the class is full.



STUDY ABROAD


Q: I am interested in studying abroad. Where can I find program information?

A: Our department offers quarter-long programs in León, Spain; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Quito, Ecuador; a summer C-term program in Quito, Ecuador; and a semester or year-long program in Cádiz, Spain. Information on these programs is available through the Study Abroad link on our home page. You can research other programs on the International Programs and Exchanges office website at http://www.ipe.washington.edu/.



Q: I have found a program that interests me. What is my next step?

A: If you will be studying at the 300 or 400 levels and hope to fulfill specific program requirements while abroad, you should set up an appointment with the Academic Counselor at least one month prior to the program application deadline. Unless you will be studying in one of the Spanish department programs, you should review course descriptions in the UW Spanish catalog and compare them to those of the program(s) that interest(s) you for potential equivalencies. Note that some IPE programs work better than others in completing Spanish major and minor requirements. It is strongly recommended that you meet with the upper-level adviser before committing yourself to any program.



Q: What should I bring to my study abroad advising appointment?

A: The name of the program and how it is structured (e.g. required classes plus direct enrollment courses) a tentative list of classes/descriptions, and syllabi (if available) of the courses you would like to take. You should either bring your laptop or a printed copy of this information to your appointment. The adviser will review the information and assist you in selecting potential courses.



Q: Will I receive Spanish credit for any class I take, as long as it is taught in Spanish?

A: No. To receive Spanish course credit, your classes must be similar to those taught in our department. If you have questions regarding specific courses in a study abroad program, you should schedule an appointment with the Academic Counselor at least one month in advance of the program application deadline.



Q: How do I get my credits converted upon my return from studying abroad?

A: If you selected a program which is not sponsored by our department, the answer to this question can be found on the IPE website: http://www.ipe.washington.edu/domestic/creditfaq.html.

Due to the large number of students studying in Spanish-speaking countries, credit evaluation forms cannot be processed on demand. You should drop off the following documents in Suzanna's inbox in Padelford C-104: IPE credit evaluation form, copies of foreign transcripts, and course syllabi. Save all of your coursework, so that it can be reviewed by a faculty member if necessary! The adviser will contact you if more information is needed. Your forms will be processed as soon as possible and returned to IPE via campus mail.



CREDIT BY EXAM


Q: I am taking a Credit by Exam this quarter and need two signatures on my application form. What should I do?

A: You need one signature from the appropriate level language coordinator. For the second signature, please see Suzanna Martínez, who is authorized to sign these forms for the Chair. You may see her during drop-in hours.



THE M.I.T. PROGRAM


Q: I need an evaluation of my transcripts to enter the MIT program in the College of Education. What do I do?

A: First, please review the Spanish endorsement and MIT admission requirements on the College of Education website at: http://education.washington.edu/areas/tep/pathways/endorsement_course.html and http://education.washington.edu/prospective/applying/m_req.html, respectively. Second, if you meet the minimum College of Education admission requirements, drop off your transcripts in Suzanna Martinez' inbox in Padelford C-104. Please be sure to include your contact information, in case she has any questions. Allow a minimum of two weeks for processing so that the adviser can consult with faculty if necessary. When the evaluation is completed, she will leave it in an envelope with your name on it for pick up in the main office, Padelford C-104.



  See also…
Registration Policies
100 & 200-Level FAQs
Opportunities for Students
Career Advising
Placement Testing
Writing Workshop
Credit by Exam
Contact Information