Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish

Become fluent and culturally competent in the second-most widely spoken language in the world.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in spanish at Marian University will give you the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge you need to engage with a diverse spanish-speaking population in the United States as well as peoples and cultures in 21 countries whose official language is Spanish.

As a spanish major, you will develop the communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills needed to be a competitive employment candidate and effective global citizen.

Why choose spanish at Marian?

No matter what career path you choose, becoming a culturally competent, effective communicator in spanish will:

• Give you a competitive edge in the employment market.
• Enable you to build personal and professional multicultural relationships and networks.
• Provide you with a broader perspective on your own culture.

Our expert, engaging faculty bring the world to your classroom through cultural trips, study-abroad courses, community engagement opportunities, and guest speakers.

• Expect rigorous academics taught by faculty who guide and encourage you every step of the way.
• Immerse yourself in classes where you participate and engage with your professors and peers while communicating only in spanish.
• Enjoy small class sizes with lots of individual attention and build relationships that last a lifetime.

As a spanish major, you'll have many opportunities to pursue multiple interests and take classes outside of the discipline. 

• Talk to us about your interests. We'll help you develop a personal plan of study that fits your unique educational goals and learning path. 

What will you study?

To earn the 128-credit B.A. in Spanish, you will complete Marian's general education curriculum in addition to required and elective Spanish courses.

You'll complete a minimum of 33 credits of spanish courses above the 100-level, such as:

• SPA 200-201: Intermediate Spanish I and II
• SPA 213: Spanish for the Mental Health Professions
• SPA 214: Spanish for the Medical Professions
• SPA 220: Introduction to Hispanic Film and Literature
• SPA 230: Oral Communication in Spanish
• SPA 310: Written Communication in Spanish
• SPA 315: History and Culture of Spain
• SPA 325: Latino Catholic Culture
• SPA 330-331: Business Communication in Global Contexts I and II
• SPA 335: Latino Voices in the U.S.
• SPA 345: Spanish Cultural Studies
• SPA 350: History and Culture of Latin America
• SPA 355: Latin American Expressions
• SPA 360: Internship/Practicum in Spanish
• SPA 400: Contemporary Hispanic Themes
• SPA 490: Senior Seminar
• SPA 498: Guided Research

Sample four-year plan (pdf)

In addition, we highly encourage you to earn academic credit through approved study-abroad courses and international experiences, which are offered in short-term and semester-based programs.

You must successfully pass a spanish language proficiency exam given by faculty to graduate.

Teaching licensure and other career options

The possibilities for adding a second major, an academic minor, or a concentration to your plan of study are plentiful.

• If you want to teach spanish, secondary education teaching licensure is available. Talk with your academic advisor for details.
• Many spanish majors want to work in business settings like international finance, banking, marketing, advertising, or human resources. If this describes you, double-major in spanish and a business field.
• If you're interested in science, combine a major in biology, chemistry, exercise science, psychology, public health, or sport performance with a major in spanish for added employment options and career flexibility.
• To work in social services or the ministry, minor in Catholic studies, cross-cultural studies, criminal justice, gender studies, global studies, pastoral leadership, or peace and justice studies, 

These are just a few examples of how you can customize your spanish studies.

Taking advantage of options like these will help you more clearly define your occupational focus and profession, providing maximum flexibility and employment options.​

What career paths are available?

With Marian's emphasis on educating students who are great communicators, big thinkers, excellent problem-solvers, and confident researchers, you can choose a variety of career paths.

As a spanish major, your career paths could include: 

• Teaching spanish at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
• Serving in municipal, state, and federal offices, agencies, and departments related to law enforcement, economic development, education, or public health.
• Working in international business, banking, finance, marketing, advertising, management, or human resources.
• Creating and publishing spanish-language content for print, digital, video, and web-based communications.
• Serving your community in social service roles, including immigration, employment, adult literacy, and child protection.
• Working as a translator or interpreter for business and governmental enterprises.

The demand for foreign language interpreters and translators, for example, is growing much faster than average. The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the employment outlook in this area will grow by 18 percent through 2026.