Spanish Studies

Robert Baah, PhD, Contact
Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics Faculty

Programs offered

• Spanish Studies (major and minor)

Spanish is, after Chinese, the most common first language in the world, spoken by some 500 million people. It is an unofficial second language in the United States. 

In support of the SPU mission to cultivate graduates of competence and character, the Spanish Studies major and minor programs seek to further your linguistic and cultural competence by affording you opportunities for learning in classroom settings and overseas.

Find out more about this program’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.

Spanish Studies (BA)

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Spanish Studies (BA)

• A minimum 56 credits is required for this major, including 25 upper-division credits, 18 of which will be taught in Spanish.
• You must complete all non-credited and language proficiency requirements.
• You are required to participate in an accredited study abroad program to accumulate the required number of credits and to expand your knowledge of the language and country.    
• A Senior Paper is required and is to be presented in conjunction with the Capstone Seminar.
• You are required to complete an Oral Proficiency Interview conducted by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages prior to graduation.

Spanish Studies minor

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Spanish Studies Minor

• A minimum of 30 credits is required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
• This minor’s required courses include Core courses, history courses, literature courses, and electives.

entering and completing the major or minor

In order to earn a degree, you must complete an academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, and students are not required to enter a major immediately upon admission to the University. However, you should enter a major by the end of your sophomore year to help ensure your timely completion of a degree. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should identify and enter their major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you wish to enter a major or minor in this department, you may select a program by using the online Major or Minor Application form. You will receive an email notification of acceptance.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, use the online Major or Minor Application form to select your major or minor. You will receive an email notification of acceptance. Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
• You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.