Spanish Language & Latin American Studies

Contact hours at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso are 45 minutes for courses with International Studies (PIIE) and 35 minutes for courses with locals.

We recommend 1 U.S. semester credit for every 15 hours, or 3 U.S. credits for every 45 contact hours, after they have been adjusted. The cover letter that will accompany your transcript upon completion of your program will reflect the adjusted contact hour and updated transfer credit recommendations.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of your home institution. Our enrollment policy and possible visa implications require you to maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by your home institution, during your program.

The transcript from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso will reflect contact hours for each of your courses. Please be in touch with your U.S. university regarding credit transfer.

Students on a Semester + Community Engagement program have the option to receive 1 additional credit from our School of Record, the University of South Florida (USF). Students will receive a letter grade and transcripts will be sent to their home university 2–3 months after the program ends.

Students must enroll in 180 - 240 contact hours per semester (12-16 U.S. semester credits). If you opt for one of the Early Start options, you'll enroll in an additional 90 contact hours for your intensive month course.

This program is open to students at the beginning, intermediate and advanced Spanish proficiency level.

PUCV offers three different types of courses: Regular, General Electives, and Spanish Language & Latin American Studies.

• Regular courses are unique to each department, and for this reason are exclusive to those who study within the specific major or track. These course offerings are part of a fixed course curriculum and are very demanding for local students alike. In addition, these courses can be worth up to four to six credit hours and are offered two to three times a week.

• General elective courses are offered by different schools at the PUCV and are open to local and international students. These particular courses are offered once a week, and are worth two credit hours. Elective courses generally have more international students than locals enrolled.

• Spanish Language & Latin American Studies courses were designed through the PIIE (Programas Internacionales de Intercabio) International Exchange Program, with international students in mind. These course offerings were specifically created for international students, and offer a variety of courses related to Spanish language and Latin American studies.

Students who possess a high intermediate, advanced or higher level of Spanish language are eligible to choose among the PUCV's 38-hour general elective courses instructed in Spanish with local Chilean students. It is important to mention that these general elective courses are not to be confused with "Regular" courses with Chilean students.

All students participating in a community engagement program will be enrolled in our community-engaged learning course. This online course will provide you with a framework to reflect on your experience, learn about social issues affecting your host community, and demonstrate your professional and cultural competencies achieved during your time abroad.

If you require a sample syllabus, please reach out using the Contact Us button.

During the application process, students will complete an online Spanish Assessment administered by the PUCV. Once students complete the evaluation, the PUCV Academic Coordinator will meet with students to provide feedback on the Spanish classes that best suit their needs.