Spanish
Through effective communicative instruction, we prepare students to read, speak, write, and understand Spanish.
Our course offerings reflect and respond to the diversity of our students, who include: heritage speakers, non-traditional students, professionals in a variety of fields, as well as traditional undergraduates. We encourage students to participate in study abroad programs and second-language activities as a means of improving proficiency.
Faculty are actively engaged in advancing knowledge in their respective areas of expertise and striving to link, in the manner most beneficial for students, critical and scholarly work to classroom instruction and advising activities.
We assume a leadership role in disseminating Hispanic, U.S. Latino, and Luso-Brazilian culture, not only to the campus community but to the Milwaukee area and the state of Wisconsin as well.
The department participates in outreach activities to foster life-long learning for professionals, language instructors and other interested persons in the community. We contribute actively to programming in affiliated organizations, including:
- Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Center for International Education
- Roberto Hernández Center
- School of Education
Prospective Undergraduate Students (not yet enrolled at UWM)
Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu or 414-229-7711.
Current Undergraduate Students
General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the college advising office at ls-advising@uwm.edu or 414-229-4654.
Specific questions about Spanish, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to the Spanish advistor.
Spanish Programs
Ready to Declare?
Select the declaration that’s right for you, and you will find more instructions on how to declare and what to expect.
Recommended Resources for Spanish Undergraduate Students








Our Mission
Offer the Best Instruction
We offer the best instruction in the areas of language, linguistics, literature, and culture at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Foster Interest
We foster interest in the Spanish and Portuguese languages and in the Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian cultures.
Promote the Study of Language and Culture
We promote the study of those languages and cultures as part of the humanities and other university courses of study.
Spanish News
- Spanish 391: Using Spanish in Our CommunityIn Fall 2025, Dr. Allison Libbey of the Spanish program launched a new service learning class allowing students to use their Spanish language skills while working with Milwaukee-area nonprofits.
- Apuntes Newsletter, Spring 2024Department of Spanish and Portuguese presents Apuntes Newsletter, Spring 2024 issue.
- Apuntes Newsletter, Fall 2024Department of Spanish and Portuguese presents Apuntes Newsletter, Fall 2024 issue.
- Apuntes Newsletter, Fall 2023Department of Spanish and Portuguese presents Apuntes Newsletter, Fall 2023 issue.
- Apuntes Newsletter, Spring 2023Department of Spanish and Portuguese presents Apuntes Newsletter, Spring 2023 issue.
Spanish Events
- Feb18February 18, 2026, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Feb25February 25, 2026, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Mar4March 4, 2026, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
- Mar5March 5, 2026, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Mar7March 7, 2026, 9:00am - 12:30pm
Campus Resources
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