Major in Spanish | World Languages & Cultures

Our outstanding Spanish program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor in Spanish.

In addition to language proficiency, you will learn the literature and cultures of Spanish, U.S. Hispanic, Mexican, Central American, and South American peoples. Our caring professors bring a wealth of international experience to your education, as do faculty visiting from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile and many other countries.

Catalog Information

Curriculum

All classes are taught in Spanish, from basic to advanced levels, with a focus on four linguistic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses in literature and civilization provide a critical understanding of the cultural heritage of the Spanish-speaking world, including the United States. The program also offers courses that are designed to address linguistic challenges facing students who have grown up speaking Spanish at home (Spanish heritage speakers).

The B.A. program is certified by the California Department of Education. That means students who successfully complete this program will have demonstrated subject matter competency in Spanish and will not be required to take the California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) for Spanish.

Cultural Immersion

We also encourage you to take part in full language and cultural immersion through our program’s unique study abroad options in Oaxaca, Mexico and León, Spain. There, you can participate in meaningful service-learning by combining your studies with an internship that makes a difference in the lives of local citizens. You’ll also have the option to participate in California State University study abroad programs in Madrid or Granada, Spain, or Queretaro, Mexico.

Study Abroad options

Closer to home is the Spanish Translation & Interpretation Club plus Tertulias (social gatherings), weekend retreats, and literary workshops, which provide ample opportunity for you to interact with faculty. And each year, the local community college’s (College of the Redwoods) Humanities Department and Cal Poly Humboldt’s Department of World Languages & Cultures sponsor the International Latino Film Festival, a long-standing community event featuring a variety of films, and discussions with various panelists.

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Careers

Graduates of this program have found careers as teachers, interpreters, literary or technical translators, international bankers or financiers, travel agents, Foreign Service officers, foreign correspondents, and airline employees. Many county, state, and federal agencies offer jobs for which knowledge of Spanish is either desirable or required. Some of our students have also found international job opportunities abroad.

Career Options

Scholarships Careers & Alumni Facilities Get Involved

Spanish Minor

Acquire and consolidate language skills up to advanced and near-native proficiency levels, as well as gain expertise in the areas of literature and cultures, ranging from Spanish, United States Hispanic, Mexican, Central, and South American cultures.

Spanish Media Minor

The Spanish Media minor combines Spanish language study with journalistic writing and media experience. An interdisciplinary minor, it is an excellent choice for anyone interested in pursuing a degree in business, communication, pre-law, or for professional careers in bilingual news media, advertising, and public relations.