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Why Spanish at Iowa?
Spanish is more than a major—it’s a pathway to global fluency and future success.
Explore undergraduate and graduate programs in Spanish
Enrich your academic journey
Studying Spanish at Iowa builds a strong academic foundation with faculty support and research opportunities with courses that span everything from medieval texts to contemporary cultural studies. Turn your passion for language into a career in education, healthcare, business, or beyond.
Research and scholarship
Explore articles, books, and creative works published by Spanish faculty at the University of Iowa.
Honors
Earn honors in your major while studying Spanish at the University of Iowa.
Study abroad
Practice your language skills, expose yourself to world cultures, and expand your worldview.
Internships
Apply what you learn in the program, gain real world experience, and pursue your future career path.
Connect with an ambassador
Become a student ambassador
Why study Spanish at Iowa?
Spanish opens doors—build language skills, cultural insight, and global opportunities at every level.
Studying Spanish at Iowa means more than just learning to speak a global language—it’s about exploring rich cultural histories, engaging with literature, linguistics, and translation, and preparing for a career with international reach. Whether you're drawn to Spanish American or U.S. Latina/o/x cultures, creative writing, or professional applications, the program offers courses that challenge and inspire. Small class sizes and faculty mentorship foster deep learning and community, while hands-on opportunities like the Spanish Speaking and Writing Center and community outreach projects connect your education to the real world.
With undergraduate, MA, PhD, and MFA programs, Iowa supports every stage of your academic journey. Graduate students pursue advanced study in literature, linguistics, or creative writing—an MFA program unique for its dual focus on poetry and fiction in Spanish. Many students gain research experience through ICRU, study abroad in Spanish-speaking countries, or earn prestigious awards like the Fulbright. Whether your goals lie in education, writing, health care, international relations, or beyond, Spanish at Iowa gives you the tools—and the confidence—to succeed anywhere.
News
Two faculty members from the Dept. of Spanish & Portuguese Honored with 2025 CLAS Awards
5 Pieces of Advice I’d Give Myself after Studying Abroad in Costa Rica
The Power of Being Lost: Lessons from Buenos Aires
"Spanish is so much more than memorizing vocabulary and conjugating verbs. It truly is a way to immerse yourself in a whole new world of experiences while even making some lifelong friends along the way."
Spanish language and cultural resources
Study abroad
We encourage you to study abroad to develop your linguistic and intercultural competencies. The university has several opportunities to select from.
Write your story
Build knowledge. Conduct research. Create new work. Stand out among your peers. You're going places, and it all starts here.
Spanish faculty

Amber Brian, PhD

Horacio Castellanos

Roxanna Curto, PhD

Ana Esther Fernández

Denise Filios, PhD

Brian Gollnick, PhD

Becky Gonzalez, PhD

Alexis Jimenez, PhD

Rachel Klevar, PhD

Pilar Marcé, PhD

Luis Martín-Estudillo, PhD

Ana Merino, PhD

Kristine Muñoz, PhD

Luis Muñoz, PhD

Kathleen Newman, PhD

Maricelle Pinto-Tomas, PhD

Claudia Pozzobon Potratz, PhD

Ana M. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, PhD

Christine Shea, PhD
Suzanne Wedeking
