Liberal Arts in Spanish 

Key Differences

• Because Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) follows a different academic calendar, you must stay beyond the regular SU Madrid Center program end date. Please note that a fall-only option is not available; participation must be for the full academic year (or for spring only). 

• UAM fall semester (Semester 1): September 4, 2025–January 22, 2026. 

• UAM spring semester (Semester 2): January 23–June 1, 2026 

• All students will participate in Syracuse Abroad online registration June 4–10 to register for Madrid Center courses. In addition, UAM has its own online application and registration processes, in which you will also take part.  

• After you are accepted to the program, the Madrid Program Advisor will work directly with you to guide you through UAM-specific admissions and registration procedures. 

Requirements and Deadline

• If you have not already done so, upload a scan of your passport identification page and official transcript to OrangeAbroad immediately.  

• You must complete the UAM application and online registration processes by the date specified by UAM. This deadline is established by UAM; Syracuse Abroad staff are unable to modify it. 

• IMPORTANT! Note that UAM will email you directly regarding enrollment for UAM courses. It’s vital to check your UAM emails; otherwise, you may miss UAM registration. 

UAM Course Selection Process

You will receive a list of UAM courses later in the process after the UAM schedule is finalized. However, Syracuse Abroad needs your Course Preference Form (CPF) beforehand. 

Completing your CPF

• In the dropdown menus under Primary Course Preferences, notice the placeholder selection for a UAM course (“Special Program Only: UAM Liberal Arts course(s) TBD [3cr]"). 

• Select “Special Program Only: UAM Liberal Arts course(s) TBD [3cr]" on the CPF to indicate your intention to take one or two courses at UAM. Then use the remaining dropdown menus to select Madrid Center courses of interest to you (both Primary and Alternative Course Preferences). 

Scheduling tip

As you pre-select your Madrid Center courses, please be aware that the commute by train from the Syracuse Madrid Center to UAM takes about 30-45 minutes (the train stop is located on the UAM campus). This means that you cannot take a course at the Madrid Center that meets immediately before or after a UAM course. Therefore, you may need to change your Madrid Center course choices after you learn more about the timing of the classes available at UAM. 

Choosing UAM courses

You will be emailed a UAM course list for Academic Year 2025-2026. After you receive it, 

• Select four (4) UAM courses of interest (both primary and alternative selections, in descending order of preference). 

Planning a schedule that includes one or two UAM courses, the required Spanish language course, and other Center courses may be challenging or not possible. This will depend on your language level, what Center courses you need or want, and the final UAM class schedule. If you participate in this special program, our Madrid Center staff will work with you to balance these considerations as you finalize your schedule during the schedule adjustment period. 

Recommended Center Courses

Courses taught at our Madrid Center that we recommend for students in the UAM liberal arts program include the upper-level Spanish instruction courses (SPA 302 and SPA 428) and the following content courses taught exclusively in Spanish. You may register for these during Syracuse Abroad online registration. 

• SPA 364/HOA464 Modern Spanish Art (prereq SPA 201)

• SPA 400.2 De Madrid al Cielo: The Culture of Modernity and the Urban Experience in Spain’s Capital (prereq SPA 202)

• SPA/HST/WGS 417 The History of Women in Spain (offered in spring only) (prereq SPA 202)

• SPA 459/FIL 300.1 Contemporary Spanish Cinema (prereq SPA 202)

Grades

Grades for courses taken at UAM may not post to your SU transcript until our office receives your official transcript from UAM (as late as February for fall courses, and August for the spring semester). At Syracuse University, you must complete all work for registered classes on or before the degree certification date. If you are graduating, seek advice from your home college regarding your degree certification date.