Do you want to improve your Spanish speaking skills? Do you want to earn a Spanish degree? Furthermore, do you know that earning a bachelor’s degree in the Spanish language can boost your resume with a second popular language?
Bachelor’s degree programs in Spanish provide students with fluency in the Spanish language and an understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures. As regards this, this article aims at explaining what a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish is, common program requirements as well as career outcomes, and continuing education options.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree In Spanish?
A Bachelor of Arts in Spanish program helps students develop a mastery of the Spanish language, as well as, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Areas of study may also include Spanish history, food, arts, and political conditions in Spain and Mexico, as well as parts of South and Central America.
It provides students with an enriched view of the Spanish world. Also, Spanish expertise, in language and culture, proves useful in many professions that require creative and analytical thought, research, and writing.
As part of the study, programs often include some level of immersion study. This is where students are required to attend classes and interact with their peers while speaking only Spanish. Usually, students spend part of their time during the program studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
Why Should I Enroll For A Spanish Degree?
If you are still contemplating to apply for an undergraduate degree in Spanish, here are some reasons why you should:
- Mastering the linguistic rules of Spanish can sprout careers like a business consultant, flight attendant, translator, diplomatic liaison, journalist, event planner, and nonprofit director.
- According to Instituto Cervantes‘s prediction, the United States could have the most Spanish speakers in the world by 2050.
- Perfecting Spanish skills promotes awareness of Latin American culture.
- It also builds brainpower.
- It also offers students insight into the rich culture of the Spanish-speaking world, imparting a better understanding of international politics in general.
- Spanish skills opens jobs abroad.
- Finally, perfecting Spanish skills even improves your English (weird, right).
Bachelor Degree in Spanish Requirement
To enroll for one of these programs, you will need:
- A high school-level education
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Spanish study programs combine language and culture studies, with the former often requiring a significant written and oral examination. Common courses include the following:
- Beginning the Spanish language
- Intermediate Spanish language
- Advanced Spanish grammar and writing
- Conversational Spanish
- Spanish literature
- Spanish culture
In most courses, cultural education extends to all areas of the Spanish-speaking world, such as Latin America and the Caribbean. In the majority of programs, students are expected to master all the core skills of the Spanish language: speaking, reading, writing and listening.
15 Cheapest Bachelor Degree In Spanish
- Brown University
- Wake Forest University
- University of Richmond
- Middlebury College
- Dartmouth College
- Colby College
- Duke University
- Indiana University-Bloomington
- Stanford University
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- The University of Texas-Austin
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Brown University
Placed #14 nationally, Brown University has a 10-course B.A. Spanish Concentration in the Department of Hispanic Studies. The study has Dr. Felipe Martinez-Pinzon, the 2018 Salomon Award recipient, as its head.
Here, students may contribute to the Transatlantic Project, explore Cuba, join Salsa Club, conduct CLACS research, and use La Pluma Writing Center.
Tuition: $25,264
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University has the Spanish & Italian Department advised by Dr. Candelas Gala in Greene Hall for a 28-hour B.A. The program has its focus on Spanish for Medicine, Business, Translation, or Interpreting. Benefits include traveling to Salamanca, reading Reflejos, celebrating Latino Awareness Week, and joining Circle K.
Tuition: $23,826
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond grants a 9.5-unit B.A. in Latin American, Latino and Iberian Studies: Advanced Spanish track managed by Dr. Angel Otero-Blanco in the Carole Weinstein Center. Also, students often serve with KIND, pledge Sigma Delta Pi, tour Seville, join Ritmo Latino, and use the Global Studio.
Tuition: $22,400
Middlebury College
Drawing faculty from 12 nations, including the 2012 Ibero American Prize winner Ricardo Chávez-Castañeda, the Department of Spanish at Middlebury College grants a 36-credit Bachelor of Arts. It is also among the #6 best liberal arts school.
Students might live in Spanish House, join Alianza Latinoamericana, attend Language Tables, and visit Ecuador.
Net Price: $21,437
Dartmouth College
Awarded the 2018 DCAL Grant, Dartmouth College’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese with Dr. Silvia Spitta as its head offers B.A. in Hispanic Studies majors to a nine-course sequence with the #11 best education.
Students often reside in La Casa, venture to Cuzco, attend the Curso de Lengua, join MOSAIC, and volunteer with Razzmatazz.
Tuition: $21,177
Colby College
In Lovejoy Hall, Colby College’s Department of Spanish utilizes the #12 best liberal arts community for a 128-credit Bachelor of Arts in Spanish organized by Dr. Luis Millones.
Also, majors meeting the minimum 2.7 GPA can:
- pursue the PRESHCO in Córdoba trip,
- be an intern for The Borgen Project,
- be a volunteer with Amnesty International, and
- also, join Latinx Unity.
Tuition: $21,032
Duke University
The Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University confers a 10-course Spanish, Latin American, and Latino/a Studies B.A. led by Dr. Richard Rosa in Durham.
Furthermore, students can mentor via Enlaces, publish the Mariposa Stories Project, join El Centro Hispano, and summer in Costa Rica.
Tuition: $19,950
Indiana University-Bloomington
The College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana University-Bloomington offers a 120-credit Spanish B.A. with Dr. Edgar Illas as the head. It is divided into three tracks: Hispanic Studies, Linguistics, or Literature.
Also, students may intern with USAID, travel to Catalonia, engage in Chicano Riqueño Center, join Grupo Ñ, and earn Hutton Honors.
Tuition: $18,319
Yale University
The Department of Spanish & Portuguese at Yale University offers a 10-course B.A. major. Also, the students in New Haven can attend the eight-week Bilbao Session, utilize Latino Cultural Center resources, join the Sabrosura Team, and become Cepeda Fellows.
Net Price: $18,319
Stanford University
Stanford University houses a 180-unit Spanish B.A. within the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages. Also, the head of this study is Dr. Dan Edelstein in Pigott Hall.
Here, students are exposed to the following opportunities:
- taking the Bing Overseas Program to Santiago,
- reviewing Nuevo Texto Crítico, engaging in the Bechtel International Center, and
- joining Casa Zapata.
Tuition: $16,695
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
With its formation in 1887, the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures headed by Dr. Vincenzo Binetti at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor bestows a 30-credit Spanish B.A. Major.
Students might add the Teacher Certification, tutor with PALMA, intern at En Nuestra Lengua, study in Granada, and join Spanish Club.
Tuition: $16,107
The University of Texas-Austin
The Department of Spanish & Portuguese offers the 27-credit, upper-division B.A. in Spanish major. Dr. Jorge Pérez, the 2017 Tomás Rivera Professorship recipient, also heads this noble department.
Furthermore, students can attend the Hispanic Linguistics Symposium, read Pterodáctilo, visit Antigua, join the LALA, and aid the Dreamers Project.
Net Price: $16,010
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a 120-credit Spanish B.S. advised by Prof. Karen Thompson, a 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award winner, in the College of Letters & Science’s Van Hise Hall.
The Department of Spanish & Portuguese offers an integrated curriculum in introductory and specialized instruction in Spanish and Portuguese languages, literature, and linguistics for undergraduates to fulfill major, college, and campus requirements as well as for those seeking fluency and solid language preparation for other opportunities.
Tuition: $15,874
Popular Spanish Degree Career Options
Spanish graduates qualify to work in many fields where fluency in the language is useful, ranging from teaching to government positions. Bilingual or multilingual people with experience in Spanish can work in the following careers:
- Spanish language teacher
- English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher
- Spanish interpreter or translator
- International business consultant
Salary and Career Information for a Spanish Degree Holder
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Globalization and large increases in the number of non-English-speaking people in the United States will drive employment growth. Job prospects should be best for those who have professional certification.
According to BLS, the median annual wage for interpreters and translators was $49,930 in May 2018.
Continuing Education Information
Master’s degree programs in Spanish aim to promote an individual’s knowledge of Spanish language and culture. This degree is pursued by those in a wide variety of careers, including education, government, non-profits, and international business.
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Spanish is typically only pursued by students interested in teaching at a college or university; graduates of PhD in Spanish programs often write articles or books on Spanish culture or political issues.
Students wishing to learn about Spanish language and culture can enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in Spanish, opening up job opportunities in many fields, such as teaching and interpreting, and offering a solid foundation for graduate learning.
Conclusion
Here is a quick recap of the Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Programs and the Universities that offer them all around the world. Let us also know which program you love best and the university you wish to study español in,
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- The University of Texas-Austin
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Stanford University
- Indiana University-Bloomington
- Duke University
- Colby College
- Dartmouth College
- Middlebury College
- University of Richmond
- Wake Forest University
- Brown University
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