Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish

Become proficient 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 brings 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 101-level, such as:

• SPA 102 Beginning Spanish II
• SPA 125 Spanish for Ministry
• SPA 200 Intermediate Spanish I
• SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish II
• SPA 213 Spanish for Mental Health Professionals
• SPA 214 Spanish for Medical Professionals
• SPA 220 Introduction to Hispanic Literary Studies
• SPA 230 Oral Communication
• SPA 231 Oral Communication for Heritage Speakers
• SPA 310 Written Communication
• SPA 311 Written Communication for Heritage Speakers
• SPA 315 History and Culture of Spain
• SPA 325 Latino Catholic Culture
• SPA 330 Business Spanish I
• SPA 331 Business Spanish II
• SPA 335 Latino Voices in the U.S.
• SPA 337 Teaching World Languages
• SPA 345 Spanish Cultural Studies
• SPA 350 History and Culture of Latin America
• SPA 355 Latin American Artistic Expressions
• SPA 360/460 Internship/Practicum in Spanish
• SPA 400 Contemporary Hispanic Themes
• SPA 490 Senior Seminar in Spanish
• SPA 498 Guided Research in Spanish

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.

Career Options

A major in Spanish combines well with every field of study and adds distinctiveness and employability. 

• If you want to teach Spanish, a Klipsch Educators College 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 and/or going to medical school, 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.
• Many of our Spanish majors want to work in social services or ministry, where they can use their linguistics and cultural competency to make meaningful connections. 

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

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 pre-K, primary, and 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 is growing quickly. 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.

Meet the Faculty