Spanish and Latino Studies Resources
A World of Possibilities in Front of You
Welcome to Spanish and Latino Studies at Montclair, an exciting intellectual, personal and professional adventure that offers multiple possibilities for future careers and cultural enrichment. Our undergraduate and graduate programs in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American and Latino Studies pride themselves on offering students multiple courses of study, careful mentoring by devoted faculty, enriching cultural activities, travel opportunities, and a nationally recognized chapter of the Hispanic Honor Society.
Programs and Opportunities
Spanish
The faculty teaching in the Spanish and Latino Studies is committed to offering exciting courses in literature, cultural studies, film, Hispanic linguistics, translation, and interpreting. Our undergraduate program offerings include a Major and a Minor in Spanish, Minor in Portuguese Studies, Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies, a Certificate in Translation in Spanish and three Certificates in Spanish for the Professions. At the graduate level, we offer a MA in Spanish, an MAT in Spanish, a Certificate in Translation and Interpreting, and a Certificate in Spanish for Health.
Latin American and Latino Studies
The Latin American and Latino Studies minor is a vibrant, interdisciplinary program that combines invigorating learning opportunities and community engagement with a focus on the rich heritage and contemporary trends of Latino-based cultures in the United States and beyond. Explore relevant social and cultural issues, such as immigration, transnationalism, feminism(s), Latinx intersectionality, gender and identity, Latinx health and sexuality, linguistics, poetry and creative writing, Colonialism/Postcolonialism, Indigenous Peoples from Latin America, among others.
Portuguese
The Portuguese Studies minor offers a unique combination of literary, linguistic and cultural experiences for undergraduate students. Here, in the cradle of one of the largest Luso-Brazilian communities in the country, the program opens doors for you to communicate and interact socially with people on four continents.
Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence
The Center for Latino Heritage and Spanish Language Excellence (CLaSE) is the first academic center in New Jersey dedicated to supporting Latino, Hispanic, and Spanish-speaking communities. CLaSE aims to enhance academic success and promote multicultural awareness through services such as a Spanish Writing Center, Certificates in Spanish for various career paths, and initiatives like the Oral History Program and the Latin American Indigenous Collaborative. This center is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values bilingualism and cultural diversity, while building strong partnerships with indigenous communities in the region.
Sigma Delta Pi
The Montclair chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the Hispanic Honor Society, is nationally recognized and is proud to offer an extraordinary amount of extracurricular activities, community service programs, and extensive tutoring services provided to students by members of our local chapter. Our mission is to promote and enrich the use of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultural practices.
Study Abroad
We believe strongly in the Study Abroad program for our majors, minors and for any other students taking Spanish. The experience of studying and living in a Spanish-speaking country enhances students’ understanding of the native culture while improving their language skills. Majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad for a semester, a year, or the summer. The Department will make sure that students’ course work is equivalent to the courses taken at Montclair State so that credits are earned in the major or minor at the same time that students enjoy the experience of studying in another country.
Careers
The careers of the future rely on adaptability, creativity, critical thinking and global understanding more than anything else. A degree from the Department of Spanish and Latino Studies is the key that will open doors and make you more marketable worldwide.
Our flexible, tailor-made programs provide high surrender value and offer a quick return in the form of transferable skills, easily applicable to today and tomorrow’s ever-changing jobs.
Put all the competence you developed as a student to good use in a variety of promising careers in Education, Journalism, Publishing, Translation, Interpreting, Film and TV, Theatre and many more.
Explore CHILL, the Career Hub for International Language Learning!
Placement Policies
All students who have taken Spanish or Portuguese in high school must take the Montclair State University Placement Exam if they wish to study Spanish or Portuguese at Montclair State University. Students who want to fulfill their foreign language requirement at another university or community college need to present their score on the Montclair State placement exam in order to be given department approval for work completed at another institution.
Students cannot automatically place themselves in a certain course level without taking the exam and finding out their placement score, and they will be asked to show their placement score the first day of class.
Department policy states that the appropriate level for students who had three years of Spanish in high school is at least SPAN 102.
Students who register for an inappropriate course level will be asked to leave the first day of class. The Department does not guarantee students a slot in another course under these circumstances.
More information for students interested in Spanish or Portuguese.
For questions about the level of placement, please contact the Department program assistant.
Meet Our Faculty
Maria Jose Garcia Vizcaino
- Professor
Anne Edstrom
- Associate Professor
Antonella Calarota-Ninman
- Director, Center for Latine and Spanish Academic Success and Excellence (CLASE)
Raul Galoppe
- Professor
Joaly Garcia
- Lecturer
Marta Lopez-Luaces
- Professor
Contact Us
- Associate Professor
- Administrative Team Lead
- Administrative Services Coordinator