The Certificate Program in Spanish and Latin American Studies

The Certificate in Spanish and Latin American Studies offers proficiency in the Spanish language as well as exposure to the literature and culture of Latin America and Spain. It is valuable to language teachers seeking additional language certification in Spanish, as well as to engineers, consultants, business people and others for whom language proficiency and cultural information are crucial for successful business operations in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States.

Required Courses: (2)

54.211 Spanish 3 and Culture - Available Spring 2012!
54.212 Spanish 4 and Culture - Available Spring 2012!

Elective Courses - Choose 4:

54.310 Spanish Civilization and Culture
54.313 Fieldwork in the Spanish Community
54.315 Latin American Civilization and Culture
54.320 Special Topics in Spanish Studies
54.335 Spanish Women Writers in Translation
54.401 Selected Authors
54.412 Short Story in Latin America

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Online students generally log on to their course site one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page.

In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students may also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but typically run from May through August unless otherwise noted. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Application into the Program

Those who wish to enroll in the certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Online and Continuing Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses

Continuing Studies offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy

With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising

Program Coordinators and Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. For online advising, email us at Continuing_Education@uml.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Program Coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474. General academic advising is also available at the Faculty and Student Support Center on a drop-in basis, located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. Call (978) 934-2474 or stop by the office Monday through Thursday between 8:30am-8:00pm and on Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm.

Awarding of Certificates

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Online and Continuing Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition

Please refer to our current course listings published online each semester for up-to-date pricing information or refer to the Online and Continuing Education Course Bulletin each semester.

For More Information

For additional information on any of our programs, call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Completion rates, median loan debts and program costs are outlined for each certificate program.

Undergraduate Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Course Descriptions

54.211 Spanish 3 and Culture

Reviews Spanish grammar and syntax with emphasis upon increased proficiency in aural comprehension and oral expression. This course is intended for students who have completed two years of high school Spanish, preferably during their junior and senior years, or for students who have completed 54.102 or for students who are unqualified for the 54.221, 54.222 sequence. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 54.102 or equivalent

54.212 Spanish 4 and Culture

A continuation of 54.211, which is a prerequisite, with emphasis upon continued development of comprehension and conversational skills. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 54.211 or equivalent

54.310 Spanish Civilization and Culture

Considers Spanish culture and civilization up to the present. Through audiovisual aids, current newspapers and selected readings, the student will explore the Spanish way of being, thinking, and living. Emphasis is placed on the main contributions of Spain to the Western world. 3 credits. Special Notes: Area II

54.313 Fieldwork in the Spanish Community

Involves individual assignments under the sponsorship of local service agencies servicing the Spanish-speaking community involving individual family and group contact. Written and oral reports will be in Spanish. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Corequisite: 54.212 or equivalent.

54.315 Latin American Civilization and Culture

Considers significant intellectual, artistic, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of Latin America from the beginning of its history. Through audiovisual aids and selected readings, the student will explore the Latin American way of being and expressing. 3 credits.

54.320 Special Topics in Spanish Studies

Focuses on a limited topic of special interest in culture, civilization, or literature. May be taught in English or in Spanish. Course content and approach will vary depending on instructor. 3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

54.335 Spanish Women Writers in Translation

From a seventeenth century nun, to a turn-of-the century Countess, to women reaching artistic maturity under the Franco dictatorship, to the search for identity and meditations on universal themes by contemporary artists, this course will study major feminine voices in Spanish literature. At the same time, it will explore themes and concerns common to countless women writers regardless of nationality. 3 credits. Special Notes: AE; taught in English; requires MS Word

54.401 Selected Authors

Presents an intensive study of the works by a few Spanish and/or Latin American authors. 3 credits.

54.412 Short Story in Latin America

Provides an analytical examination of the thematic and linguistic structures in major Latin American short story writers such as Borges, Cortazar, Marquez, Rulfo. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 54.350 or permission of instructor.