Minor in Spanish Studies

According to Babbel.com, if you want "a language that will open up whole continents to you, Spanish is your best bet."

With about 400 million speakers in 2018, Spanish is the primary language of South, Central, and Latin American countries. It's also widely spoken by a growing population of people living in major metropolitan areas and smaller communities across the United States.

Gain the knowledge, language proficiency, cultural competency, and new perspectives about the culture, heritage, and history of Spanish-speaking peoples. Get the skills and experience you need to communicate with Spanish speakers, both at home and abroad.

Why minor in Spanish studies at Marian

Understanding and having a strong command of the Spanish language is a valuable skill for employment in nearly any field.

In fact, labor and employment experts report median salaries for employees who speak more than one language are five to 20 percent higher than the salaries of those who speak just one language.

• Thanks to a curriculum that's grounded in the liberal arts tradition, this minor will help you become a clear, consistent Spanish speaker, writer, and listener.
• A flexible, durable minor that's practical in nature, you'll learn how to communicate key information and engage with Spanish-speaking people in and out of the workplace.
• By strengthening your cross-cultural awareness and competencies, you'll be positioned to better understand the influence those of Hispanic origin and ancestry have had on our nation and our world. You'll also gain new awareness and insights about your own culture.
• Earning a minor in Spanish studies can make you a more marketable and attractive job applicant. It helps you stand out among other candidates who lack foreign language proficiency.

Our expert faculty will challenge and encourage you with their native and near-native Spanish language competence. Thanks to small class sizes, you'll get one-on-one faculty attention and mentoring. 

In addition, you'll be encouraged to study-abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. We offer both short-term study abroad courses and semester-based programs that can include internships. Marian also has foreign exchange programs with universities in Spain and other countries. Talk with your academic advisor about study-abroad options.

What will you study?

To earn a Spanish studies minor, you will complete at least 18 credits of Spanish courses, including:

• SPA 200: Intermediate Spanish I
• SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish II
• SPA 310: Written Communication in Spanish

You'll also complete nine (9) credits of Spanish electives. You can choose from courses like:

• SPA 220: Introduction to Hispanic Film and Literature
• SPA 315: History and Culture of Spain
• SPA 325: Latino Catholic Culture
• SPA 335: Latino Voices in the U.S.
• SPA 341: Survey of Spanish Literature, 20th Century to Present
• SPA 345: Spanish Cultural Studies
• SPA 350: History and Culture of Latin America
• SPA 360-460: Internship/Practicum in Spanish
• SPA 370: Survey of Spanish-American Literature, Pre-Columbian through the 19th Century
• SPA 400: Contemporary Hispanic Themes

For complete course descriptions, please review our undergraduate course catalog.

What career paths are available?

Depending on your major and career goals, earning a minor in Spanish studies is useful if you want to:

• Teach Spanish at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
• Serve in administrative, management, and leadership positions at municipal, state, and federal agencies related to law enforcement, economic development, education, public health, and social services like immigration, adult literacy, employment, and child protection.
• Work in international business and corporate settings in fields like banking, finance, marketing, advertising, communications, operations, and human resources.

While your career options are, in large part, determined by your major and bachelor's degree program, this minor is practical and useful for careers in virtually any field where knowledge of and the ability to communicate in Spanish would add value.