The BA concentration in Spanish is designed to provide students with a working proficiency in practical communicative skills in Spanish and familiarity with the cultures in which it is spoken. Spanish has become the second language of the United States. According to US census, the Hispanic population of the United States as of July 2014 is of 55 million, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Spanish is spoken in the United States and also in twenty-one countries of Latin America, Spain, and some parts of Africa and Asia, making it a useful language for anyone interested in travel or international business.
The Spanish concentration progresses from courses in basic language skills through intermediate and advanced courses in conversation, grammar, composition and phonetics and linguistics to the study of the masterpieces of Spanish and Spanish American literature, representative Hispanic films and the historical and contemporary civilizations of Spain and Latin America. Applied Spanish courses in business Spanish and specialized Spanish vocabulary for various professions are also offered.
The BA concentration in Spanish reflects a comprehensive education emphasizing analytical, critical and communication skills developing abilities in high demand for employers. With its emphases on research, writing and creative and analytical thought, the Spanish major prepares students for graduate studies in Spanish and most professional schools, including law, business, and education, and medicine, and for work in professions such as law, teaching, business, management, and publishing.
The BA concentration in Spanish helps students prepare for a wide variety of careers in education, politics, foreign service, the helping professions, travel and tourism, and communication.
*Note that some of these positions require an advanced degree.
Students who graduate with a degree in Spanish will be equipped with the following skills:
- proficiency in the Spanish language
- critical thinking/analytical reasoning
- verbal and written skills in English
- research experience
- cross-cultural awareness
- global awareness
- ability to work with diverse groups
Careers to consider
| International Business International Law Government Foreign Service Tourism Media, Communications Law Enforcement Professional/FBI/CIA Writer |
Academia/Teaching and research at universities Secondary/Primary Education Teaching of English as a Foreign Language Translation and Interpretation Journalism Social Work Sales Professional Medical Professional |
Advanced Degrees especially attractive for students with a background in Spanish
| Spanish/Hispanic Studies Spanish Languages and Literatures Comparative Literature Linguistics International Business |
Law Political Science History Economics European Studies Anthropology |