Bachelor of Arts
Spanish Language and Literature
Our Spanish degree pairs academic rigor with practical, marketable professional development.
In today’s multicultural society, a Spanish degree can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities. Oakland University’s Bachelor of Arts in Spanish equips you with specialized skills that you can apply in business, health care, government, teaching, technology and many other sectors. In addition to building language fluency with a Spanish degree, you’ll study the history and traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures, while cultivating proficiency in writing, research, and critical analysis. You’ll also benefit from attentive faculty and flexible academic options, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish that can propel you to graduate school, a teaching career or many other professional goals.
In today’s multicultural society, a Spanish degree can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities. Oakland University’s Bachelor of Arts in Spanish equips you with specialized skills that you can apply in business, health care, government, teaching, technology and many other sectors. In addition to building language fluency with a Spanish degree, you’ll study the history and traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures, while cultivating proficiency in writing, research, and critical analysis. You’ll also benefit from attentive faculty and flexible academic options, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish that can propel you to graduate school, a teaching career or many other professional goals.
Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish: The Oakland University Advantage
Oakland’s Spanish degree combines rigorous academic study with practical education that prepares you for the workforce. You’ll have the freedom to explore many options, pursue independent projects and engage in self-directed study, tailoring the program to fit your particular interests.
Our bachelor’s degree in Spanish provides you with:
- Career-oriented courses. In addition to providing a classical background in the liberal arts, our Spanish program offers course options tailored to specific professional pathways. You can take classes that focus on Spanish language skills for careers in business, marketing, health care, translation, journalism and teaching.
- Real-world experience. Spanish majors at Oakland University routinely connect with native Spanish-speaking communities in Southeast Michigan. You can tutor local students, provide translation for healthcare personnel and first responders, intern for global corporations, assist local nonprofits and government agencies, and find other outlets in the community to practice bilingual, multicultural interaction.
- Personal faculty attention. You’ll belong to a close-knit community in our Spanish program, with small classes and attentive instructors who are responsive to your needs. All Spanish classes are taught by senior faculty who can offer academic support, career advice and personal friendship along with classroom instruction.
- Opportunities to study abroad. Our Spanish degree includes diverse options for overseas travel, with opportunities to study in Spain, Latin America and other parts of the Spanish-speaking world. You may be able to pair study abroad with professional skill development—for example, by working in a healthcare clinic, translating a technical manual or teaching in a local school.
- First-rate training for careers in teaching. You have the option of pairing the Spanish degree with a fifth-year credential in secondary teaching, qualifying you for a career as a Spanish teacher. Oakland has a statewide reputation for excellence in educator preparation, with outstanding rates of job placement.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish?
According to a recent economic study, demand for bilingual workers has doubled in just the last five years. Employers in government, business, health care, entertainment, tourism, education, law, social services and other sectors constantly seek workers who speak Spanish fluently and understand Latin American culture and history. Oakland students often double major in Spanish and another discipline, entering the job market with specialized skills that employers value.
Our Spanish degree offers excellent preparation for graduate programs in Spanish that can put you on track for an academic career. Other professional opportunities you can pursue with a Spanish degree include:
- International business
- Middle-school and high-school teaching
- Interpretation
- Technical writing and translation
- Foreign service and diplomacy
- Community development
- International tourism
- Immigration and naturalization
Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish: What You’ll Learn
Core requirements for the bachelor’s degree in Spanish include three language courses: a grammar review, plus intermediate and advanced courses in Spanish conversation and writing. (Introductory-level language courses do not count toward the Spanish major.) You’ll also complete courses in Spanish literature, Spanish-American literature and European literature, plus one course in Spanish or Latin American civilization.
Electives make up the remainder of the Spanish bachelor’s degree, with at least two electives focused on literature. Sample electives include:
- Business Spanish
- Translation: English to Spanish
- Cervantes
- Modern and Contemporary Spanish Literature
- Spanish Language and Culture for Health Care Professionals and First Responders
- Advanced Spanish and Academic Service Learning
- Field Experience in Teaching Spanish
- Independent Translation Project
Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Program Resources
- Major Requirements
- Minor Requirements
- Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
- College of Arts and Sciences
Programs Related to the Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish
Not sure if the Spanish bachelor’s degree is right for you ? Check out these other undergraduate degree programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.