Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish
If you want to become fluent in the second-most widely spoken language in the world, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish will give you knowledge about the culture and customs of life in 20 countries around the world whose official language is Spanish.
As a major in Spanish, you will focus on acquiring full fluency and comprehension—in writing, speaking, reading, and listening. You’ll develop the communication, analytical, problem-solving, and other skills needed for careers in which bilingual job candidates are sought and/or to continue your studies in a graduate program.
Why choose Spanish at Marian?
No matter what career path you choose, having the ability to communicate 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, service-learning opportunities, and guest speakers.
Immerse yourself in classes where you participate and interact with others while communicating only in Spanish. Enjoy small class sizes and a high degree of faculty-student interaction. Our academics are rigorous, but Marian faculty will help you learn and experience more than you ever thought possible.
What will you study?
You will study Spanish grammar, explore the history of Spanish civilizations from the pre-Colombian era through the 21st century, read literature written by significant Spanish authors, and develop strong communication and cultural competencies.
To earn a B.A. in Spanish at Marian University, you’ll complete prerequisite, general education, required, and core courses, like:
- Business practice in Spanish
- Written communication in Spanish
- Oral communication in Spanish
- Introduction to Hispanic film and literature
- History and culture of Spain
- Latino voices in the U.S.
- Spanish cultural studies
- Contemporary Hispanic themes
- Guided research in Spanish
Spanish majors
33 credits required above the 100-level including SPA 200, 201, 220, 230, 310, 490, and 498. A minimum grade of "C" is required for all Spanish courses. Credits earned through an approved study-abroad course may count toward this major. You must successfully pass a Spanish language proficiency exam given by Spanish faculty.
Spanish minors
18 credits required above the 100-level including 200, 201, and 310. Credits earned through an approved study-abroad course or program count toward a minor.
Teaching licensure
Secondary education teaching licensure is available in Spanish as well as French and German. Credits from advanced placement (AP) courses may count toward licensing. Talk with your academic advisor for details.
What career paths are available?
With Marian University’s emphasis on educating students who are great communicators, big thinkers, excellent problem-solvers, and confident researchers, you can pursue a variety of career paths after graduation.
- Depending on your ultimate career goal, you may want to double-major in Spanish and another subject, like finance, education, marketing, political science, public health, or sociology.
- You could also choose to minor in a subject like art history, business, or global studies.
- The possibilities for adding another major, a minor, or a concentration area based on your career interests are numerous and will help you more clearly define your career focus.
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 29 percent through 2024.
Here are just a few career paths that Spanish majors can pursue:
- Teaching Spanish in middle, high school, and post-secondary levels.
- Serving in municipal, state, and federal government agencies related to law enforcement, economic development, education, or public health.
- Working in international business, banking, finance, marketing, advertising, or human resources.
- Developing content for print, digital, video, and web-based communications.
- Working in social service roles, like immigration, welfare, adult literacy, employment, and child protective services.
- Traveling with tour groups as a guide or working as a travel agent.