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Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Department of Languages and Cultures
It is tough to think of a more important language to learn than Spanish, or a better time to learn it. Spanish is a widely spoken, easy to learn, and essential language for today’s job market that can connect individuals from several foreign countries, including individuals here in the United States.
Whether it is to travel, conduct business domestically or abroad, explore Hispanic
art, cuisine, and history, teach students, or go into politics, speaking Spanish can
help open the door to exciting possibilities. Learning Spanish can help students and
graduates speak to large numbers of people, do business in rapidly growing markets,
and travel through countries using a single language.
Beyond language, learning about Hispanic people and their culture is the key to success
in connecting with communities in both the U.S. and Spanish-speaking countries. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish can provide an extensive knowledge about the
histories, cultures, societies, literature, and customs of the Spanish-speaking world,
as well as linguistic fluency of this popular and in-demand language.
A Spanish major provides students with an enriched view of the world as well as language skills that will prove useful in many professional occupations; many students choose to combine their Spanish studies with other areas to prepare for career opportunities in international business, government, travel, or communications, where knowledge of a foreign language and of foreign cultures is essential. With its emphases on research, writing, and both creative and analytical thought, a Spanish major prepares students for graduate studies in Spanish and to attend professional post-graduate schools, such as law, business, education, and medicine.
The mission of the Department of Languages and Cultures at Albertus is to contribute
to the liberal learning and personal enrichment of students through emphasis on the
structure of a second language and literacy. This structure includes the basics of
listening, speaking, reading, writing, and gives students the opportunity to expand
communication techniques while learning about diverse cultures and countries.
Open the door to global and cultural proficiency with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
from Albertus Magnus College.
What Makes Spanish at Albertus Different?
Engaged
Students
- Hands-on, experiential learning
- Interdisciplinary perspectives
- Emphasis on collaborative work
Great
Teaching
- Personally invested professors
- Small class sizes
- Innovative, well-rounded programs
- Resources and opportunities for research
Vibrant
Communities
- Lively extracurricular activities
- Campus-wide events
- Service and community engagement
Successful
Outcomes
- Active career counseling
- Opportunity-building networks
- Access to internships and professional experiences
The Albertus Spanish Degree Program
As they explore and analyze major literary and critical works of the Spanish-speaking world, ranging from medieval times through the present, students are strongly encouraged to complement their coursework with a semester or summer experience abroad.
Studying abroad can give students the opportunity to put their skills to the test by being immersed in a Spanish-speaking country and culture, while making memories to last a lifetime. Albertus Magnus College is associated with many study abroad programs that provide students a variety of courses and internships to choose from. Students can have the option to study abroad in countries like Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, and Spain.
Learn MoreThe Albertus Spanish Faculty
Where Will Your Spanish Degree take You?
Jobs for Spanish majors graduating from Albertus include the areas of education, law, civil service, journalism, publishing, business, and sport management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual salaries for language degree jobs average over $75,000.
Possible career paths with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish include:
Spanish Courses
In order to major in Spanish, students must successfully complete 30 credits beyond the elementary levels (FL 111S, FL 112S). Of these, at least 12 credits must be taken at the advanced 300 level. Students majoring in Spanish must take the Departmental Seminar during their senior year. Students pursuing teacher certification are required to take FL 391S and to arrange with the Education Programs Department for a teaching practicum in an area school in conjunction with this course.
The specific learning outcomes that students are expected to meet through their study in the Bachelor of Art in Spanish program are as follows:
- Formulate an advanced conceptual understanding of literature, music or film as a viable means of expressing different viewpoints regarding the relation of art, nature and society;
- Develop competency in oral communication skills in the target language as assessed through engaged class participation, group work, class debate, and oral presentations;
- Develop competency in written communication in the target language by writing well-organized, logical and coherent arguments in homework assignments, film reviews and a midterm paper;
- Distinguish important cultural differences and historical moments between Latin America, Spain, and the United States;
- Recognize how various cultural factors inform the individual and local societies;
- Enhance their digital literacy as measured through assignments on elearning, Google eportfolio assignments, Glossary of Terms, and/or Tiki-Timeline;
- Critically analyze films, media, and literary works for deeper thematic and socio-historical context;
- Adopt the appropriate level of formality;
- Properly quote and cite sources to avoid plagiarism;
- Develop and support a thesis statement in the target language;
- Produce a series of developing drafts, showing an understanding that writing is a process in which prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading are all integral steps;
- Achieve native or near-native fluency in the target language;
- Achieve the necessary writing and research skills, and literary knowledge, necessary to flourish in the liberal professions and relevant graduate programs.
Students enrolled in the teacher certification program with endorsement in Spanish will demonstrate through satisfactory scores on the ACTFL examinations and the departmental exit examinations adequate mastery of language, literature, and culture to become successful teachers.
Interested in learning more about the diverse courses offered at Albertus?
Become Part of the Albertus Spanish Community
Have questions about Spanish? Ready for the next step?
Let us know how we can help plan your future.
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The Albertus Spanish Degree Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Languages and Cultures is to contribute to the Liberal Arts education and personal enrichment of the student through an emphasis on the structure of a second language. Such a structure, which includes the basics of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, gives students the opportunity to expand communication techniques while learning about diverse cultures and countries. Certain courses, offered in English, provide students with the opportunity to appreciate other societies and their development and progress.
The BA in Spanish is in Spanish Language and Literature with foundational courses that prepare students to pursue graduate programs as well as various careers. The Department of Languages and Cultures offers a major and a minor in Spanish as well as a minor in Spanish & Latin American Studies. In addition, the Department provides study in Italian, Intensive English Language, and Sign Language.
The offering of all courses depends on adequate enrollment. Courses in literature, film, culture and civilization are taught in traditional, blended, or on-line format.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes that students are expected to meet through their study in the program are as follows:
- Formulate an advanced conceptual understanding of literature, music or film as a viable means of expressing different viewpoints regarding the relation of art, nature and society;
- Develop competency in oral communication skills in the target language as assessed through engaged class participation, group work, class debate, and oral presentations;
- Develop competency in written communication in the target language by writing well organized, logical and coherent arguments in homework assignments, literary reviews and research papers;
- Distinguish important cultural differences and historical moments;
- Enhance digital literacy as measured through assignments on elearning and Google eportfolio;
- Critically analyze films and literary works for deeper thematic and socio-historic content;
- Draw parallels among authors from Spain, Latin America, and the United States;
- Possess the writing and research skills, and the literary knowledge, necessary to flourish in the liberal professions and relevant graduate programs;
- Achieve native or near-native fluency in the target language;
Students enrolled in the teacher certification program with endorsement in Spanish will demonstrate through satisfactory scores on the ACTFL examinations and the departmental exit examinations adequate mastery of language, literature, and culture to become successful teachers.