Undergraduate Information
Certificates - Application deadline for seniors is March 8, 2012
Departmental Representative: Pedro Meira Monteiro
Spring '11-'12 office hours: Fridays 10:00-11:30am or by appointment
Undergraduate Administrator: Beth Heisler
Students pursuing area studies certificates may earn the certificate in language and culture provided that (a) the courses they elect to satisfy the requirements of the area studies program are different from those they elect to satisfy the requirements of the language and culture certificate program (in agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies, one course can be used towards both a certificate in Spanish or Portuguese and PLAS); and (b) they submit a piece of independent work in addition to the independent work that satisfies the requirements of each area studies program.
A senior wishing to complete a certificate in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures must fill out an application form and bring it to the Undergraduate Administrator, 359 East Pyne, by March 8, 2012. A separate application must be completed for each language in which a certificate will be pursued. Attach copies study abroad transcripts and Princeton University transcript. Please contact the Departmental Representative by email for approval of topic before submitting application.
The senior independent work deadline is April 19, 2012. Please plan your senior year work accordingly. There are no extensions. (Students may submit applications before their senior year, provided the course requirements have been completed.)
Spanish Certificate Requirements
- Four 300-level (or higher) departmental courses in the Spanish language, literature, or culture. Courses must be taken for a letter grade, no Pass/D/Fail or Audit. At the discretion of the Departmental Representative, students who study abroad during the academic year may count one pre-approved course per semester abroad toward the certificate. Also, two pre-approved courses in a summer program abroad can count for one course towards the certificate. In no case, however, can more than two courses taken abroad count toward the certificate. Any 300 or 400-level Spanish or Portuguese course taught in English will require all written work to be completed in the target language in order to count towards a certificate.
- Independent work. During their senior year, students must write a paper on a topic agreed upon with the Departmental Representative. The paper must be written in Spanish and be at least 6,000 words in length (title page). This paper must be an extension of a paper written for one of the 300-level courses used towards the certificate.
- Students interested in earning a certificate in another department's Program and in Spanish or Portuguese may earn both certificates provided that: a) different courses are used to fulfill the requirements for each certificate* and; b) the student produces two different pieces of independent work. *In agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies, one course can be used towards both a certificate in SPA and PLAS.
Portuguese Certificate Requirements
- Three 300-level (or higher) departmental courses in the Portuguese language, literature, or culture. Courses must be taken for a letter grade, no Pass/D/Fail or Audit. At the discretion of the Departmental Representative, students who study abroad during the academic year may count one pre-approved course per semester abroad towards the certificate. Also, two pre-approved courses in a summer program abroad can count for one course towards the certificate. In no case, however, can more than two courses taken abroad count towards the certificate. Any 300 or 400-level Spanish or Portuguese course taught in English will require all written work to be completed in the target language in order to count towards a certificate. With the approval of the Departmental Representative, two 200-level courses in Portuguese literature or culture may count as one departmental.
- Independent work. During their senior year, students must write a paper on a topic agreed upon with the Departmental Representative. The paper must be written in Portuguese and be at least 6,000 words in length (title page). This paper must be an extension of a paper written for one of the courses used towards the certificate.
- Students interested in earning a certificate in another department's Program and in Spanish or Portuguese may earn both certificates provided that: a) different courses are used to fulfill the requirements for each certificate* and; b) the student produces two different pieces of independent work. *In agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies, one course can be used towards both a certificate in POR and PLAS.
Students who are pursuing a certificate in Spanish and/or Portuguese must also become familiar with the certificate rules established by the Program in Language and Culture.
Upon graduation, students who have met all of the program requirements will receive a Certificate of Proficiency along with their diploma.


