The program for the undergraduate Portuguese majors provides students with a general knowledge of the language and literatures of the Portuguese-speaking nations (including Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, São Tome e Príncipe, and Cape Verde) as well as of the contributions made to American culture by the thousands of Portuguese, Brazilian and Cape Verdean peoples living in the United States. The Portuguese major allows the student to concentrate on the following areas: Portuguese language, Portuguese or Brazilian literature, or African Literatures of Portuguese Expression (ALPE).

Majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country; advisors should be consulted.