Portuguese is the official language of more than 200 million people in eight countries on four continents. After English and Spanish, it is the third most widely spoken European language, and the sixth most spoken language in the world.
Situated in the heart of the region that boasts the largest concentration of Brazilian, Cape Verdean, and Portuguese immigrants in the U.S., UMass Dartmouth provides a unique environment to learn Portuguese in a richly varied immersion setting. As a Portuguese major, you’ll study and explore the language, literatures, and cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.
A degree in Portuguese offers access to careers in education, foreign service, immigration, international business, international relations, journalism, linguistics, politics, print and visual media, social and non-profit/non-governmental organizations, translation, and other fields.
We also offer teacher preparation for students who are interested in teaching Portuguese at the middle or high school level.
Major in Portuguese
Our curriculum provides a solid foundation in Portuguese language and culture.
You’ll explore topics in civilization, linguistics, theater, and cinema—and will learn to: Communicate effectively through spoken and written word; Apply critical reading and analytical skills to texts from the literary periods of Portugal, Brazil, and Lusophone Africa; Develop an in-depth awareness of the historical and contemporary cultural realities of the Portuguese-speaking world.
For the major, you’ll complete 33 credit hours in courses related to your major, and 120 credit hours overall.
UMassD advantages
Study abroad: immerse yourself in Portuguese language and culture with a semester of study at a Portuguese or Brazilian university
Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture: participate in cultural events such as lectures, exhibitions, colloquia, and concerts
Community: join the Portuguese Language Club or Phi Lambda Beta, our chapter of the National Portuguese Honor Society
Teacher preparation: Your path to become a middle or high school teacher