The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (BA) is intended to prepare students for the many careers where educated bilingual speakers are highly valued. Most of our students choose to double major or combine their Spanish BA with fields such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, English, Pre Nursing, Political Science, Media Communication, Business, Exercise Science, Public Health, etc. Other students complete their Spanish BA for teaching, translation certifications, or admission to graduate school. 

Specific Admission Requirements

While there are no specific requirements for admission to the program, however, students who have prior exposure to Spanish through family interaction or previous studies need to be placed in the appropriate course for their level. 

1. Students who have taken no Spanish in high school or at another institution of higher learning should begin with SPN 101 Beginning Spanish I.
2. Students, who have taken Spanish in high school, but not at another institution of higher learning, must take a placement exam to determine their proper placement.
3. Heritage Spanish speakers (that is, students who speak Spanish at home to a greater or lesser extent), students with significant Spanish immersion experience, and students who have taken Spanish courses at other institutions of higher learning must meet with a Spanish advisor in order to determine correct placement. The advisor will place the student based on any of the following or a combination thereof: an oral interview, a placement exam, a written composition.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Communication: Students can use Spanish to communicate in “real life” situations. Students communicate in oral and written form, interpret oral and written messages, show cultural understanding when they communicate, and present oral and written information for various audiences and purposes.
2. Cultures: Students can interact with cultural competence and understanding. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of the relationship between their native cultures, Spanish-speaking cultures, and the Spanish language. They understand other people’s points of view, ways of life, and contributions to the world.
3. Connections: Students can connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives in order to use the language to function in academic and career-related situations. Students develop Spanish proficiency for use in different fields and contexts.
4. Comparisons: Students can make comparisons between Spanish-language varieties, Spanish-speaking cultures, and their own languages and cultures. Through these comparisons, they develop insight into the nature of languages and cultures to interact with cultural competence.
5. Communities: Students extend learning experiences from the Spanish-language classroom to the home and community. Students take their skills beyond the classroom by participating in project-based learning, field trips, clubs, community organizations, exchange or study-abroad programs, and school-to-work opportunities.

Outcomes Assessment Activities

• The faculty of the Spanish program uses several methods for evaluating student learning outcomes for Spanish majors. These include an oral proficiency interview, a written proficiency test, a student portfolio, and an exit survey.

Specific Program Requirements

Program Overview

In addition to the courses listed below, Spanish majors must also meet the following requirements:

1. A senior assessment portfolio.
2. A minor or a second major.
3. Completion of the oral and written proficiency exams and of the graduating-senior survey.
4. At least one upper-division SPN course must emphasize Latin America, one Spain.

Study abroad is strongly encouraged, especially for students planning to teach.

Specific Core Requirements

Besides completing at least 120 credits including all coursework for the Spanish major, students need to: 

• ​Attain a grade of C or better in all Spanish courses for the major
• Complete a minor, a second major, or 18 credits in another field of study.
• Complete an exit Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
• Complete an exit Written Proficiency Test (WPT)
• Complete a student portfolio
• Complete an exit survey

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.

Note: In addition to requirements for the major and general education, students must complete a minor, a second major, or 18 credits in another field of study.