Become Bilingual with Spanish
When you can communicate in both English and Spanish, you’ll have the confidence to connect to a global community of Spanish speakers. In IUP’s Spanish BA degree program, you will learn how to speak, read, write, and interact in Spanish at a high level.
Your classes will be taught in Spanish, and you’ll be surrounded by Spanish speakers during your study abroad experience. You’ll have opportunities to
- Gain appreciation for the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Improve your language skills by living with native speakers.
The ability to communicate well in Spanish can lead to many different career opportunities.
Study in a Spanish-Speaking Country
You can choose from two study abroad programs that are led by IUP faculty:
- A semester-long, 18-credit program in Valladolid, Spain
- A six-week, six-credit program in Cuernavaca, Mexico
These two programs are designed to complement the Spanish BA, the Spanish minor, or a Spanish certificate program.
You can also work with the Office of International Education to learn about additional study abroad programs that may match your skills and interests.
Why Major in Spanish at IUP?
IUP’s Spanish BA program provides you with valuable language skills and cultural knowledge that are useful in many professional settings.
You’ll work directly with faculty members who are dedicated to helping you develop outstanding Spanish skills. Our faculty members—some with awards for excellence in teaching—have a deep understanding of both the language and how to teach. They stay active and engaged in their field by:
- Belonging to various professional organizations
- Engaging in research
- Presenting at professional meetings and conferences
- Publishing scholarly papers
Imagine Your Future
Spanish language skills make you highly marketable in the US and in other countries. Three fields currently have high demand for people with strong Spanish skills:
- Construction management
- Media
- Nursing
And demand is expected to grow in other industries that need people who speak both English and Spanish. The 2019 report "Making Language Our Business" found:
- Nine out of 10 US employers rely on employees with language skills other than English.
- 56 percent say their foreign language demand will increase in the next five years.
- 56 percent say their foreign language demand will increase in the next five years.
- One in three language-dependent US employers report a language skills gap.
- One in four US employers lost business due to a lack of language skills.
Industries Looking for You
With a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, you can use your language skills and cultural knowledge in many fields, including:
- Arts and arts management
- Business
- Communications and media
- Construction and construction management
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Government
- Health care
- Hospitality
- Human resources
- Human services
- Law
- Law enforcement
- Politics
- Safety sciences
- Tourism
- Translation and interpretation
Classes and Requirements
Your goal is to communicate in Spanish at a high level. IUP’s Spanish BA program is designed to help you reach this goal. You will learn how to speak, read, write, and listen in Spanish.
All required classes are taught in Spanish. Speaking the language every day will help you quickly improve your skills.
When you study the cultures and literature of the Spanish-speaking world, you’ll develop critical thinking skills. Study abroad is required. Immersing yourself in another country helps you develop your language skills and your appreciation for the culture.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Spanish Minor
Adding a Spanish minor to any major at IUP can give you a competitive advantage in the job market.
The minor consists of 18 credits with classes designed to:
- Help you develop your ability to speak, read, write, and interact in Spanish.
- Introduce you to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
When you add a Spanish minor, you can explore many different career fields, such as arts and arts management, business, communications and media, education, government, hospitality, safety sciences and tourism, and translation and interpretation, to name a few.
For more information and program requirements, contact Professor Dawn Smith-Sherwood smithshe@iup.edu coordinator of the Spanish minor program.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Two Spanish Certificates
Add a Spanish certificate to your major. You can choose from two Spanish Certificates. Both focus on speaking and writing Spanish.
Opportunities for Spanish on Campus
Your love for the Spanish language and culture doesn’t have to end when classes are over. You can develop friendships with those who share your interest in Spanish:
- Join the Spanish Club Ándale! or the Latin American Student Organization (LaSO).
- Submit creative and academic works for publication in the department's multilingual student literary magazine, Prism.
- Be inducted into Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society.
Dive Deeper, Explore New Paths with Our Honors Program
The Honors Program in Spanish is designed to give especially talented majors in Spanish the chance to explore areas in their study which surpass what is normally studied in the major. In this program, you’ll acquire a greater depth of knowledge.
The Honors Program is particularly helpful for those students who intend to pursue graduate work in Spanish. Students who successfully complete the Spanish Honors Program will be formally recognized at the department graduation ceremony. The completion of the Honors Program in Spanish will be noted on your official transcript.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Become a Spanish Teacher
Interested in teaching Spanish? The Spanish, BA major with the Spanish Education PK–12 Certificate prepares you to teach grades PK–12.