Spanish, B.A.

A person sits across from a child while speaking with them.

Develop an in-depth understanding of Spanish language and culture for your career at home or abroad.

The Spanish major at Westfield State University prepares you to take your place in a multicultural, multilingual environment—whether locally or abroad—through coursework designed to develop your written and oral communication skills as well as your cultural awareness. You’ll study the Hispanic world in a variety of dimensions—including linguistic, cultural, literary, and more. You may also select a concentration for your studies depending on your interests and goals in language acquisition and cultural competence.

Available concentrations:

Language, Culture, and Literature
This Spanish major concentration allows you to construct and customize your curriculum with courses from the Spanish Department, as well as English-taught classes in the department.

Translation and Interpreting
This Spanish major concentration prepares you for a career in translation and interpreting, in which advanced-level proficiency in both Spanish and English is required. All classes are conducted exclusively in Spanish, providing ample opportunity to practice your language skills. You’ll develop a practical foundation of the Spanish language, including advanced writing skills, formal presentation skills in Spanish, technical translation skills, and advanced cultural competency.

This concentration also features a range of advanced courses on a variety of topics, so you can acquire a diverse set of specialized vocabularies as well as the art and skill of translation and interpreting. You will graduate the program as a truly proficient professional with cross-cultural and intercultural competency and specific translation and interpreting skills.

Program Highlights

  • On campus, online, or hybrid
  • Research and internship opportunities
  • Supportive, collaborative, student-centered community
  • Develop versatile skills that can be applied in various industries

Take your place in a globalized economy and become a multilingual professional.

Earn your Spanish degree to immerse yourself in the Hispanic language, culture, and political dimensions.

Grow your cultural competence and become a fluent Spanish speaker.

  • A person holds a tropical flower in the palm of their hand.

    A well-rounded Spanish degree with a bilingual focus

    Our flexible Spanish major focuses on language proficiency and cultural competence, along with developing a knowledge and appreciation of the Hispanic world in its historical, political, literary, and artistic dimensions.

  • A professor lectures at the front of a classroom while students take notes on their laptops.

    Small, immersive classes

    You’ll learn in small, engaging classes designed with your career goals in mind. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to converse and collaborate with your peers as well as receive one-on-one attention from your professors.

  • Three people in a foreign setting.

    Real-world experiences

    Put your classroom studies to use in a variety of internships, capstone projects, and more. Plus, engage with your fellow classmates to hone your everyday professional skills—like communication, teamwork, and project management.

Program Details

Program Mission

As part of the Department of Sociology, Hispanic, Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Hispanic Studies program aims to prepare you to take your place in a multicultural, multilingual environment —whether locally or abroad— through a curriculum designed to promote the development of written and oral communication skills and cultural awareness. Our curriculum is geared for you to study the Hispanic world, in a variety of dimensions: linguistic, cultural, and literary, among others. We offer different concentrations depending on your interests and goals in language acquisition and cultural competence.

Program Vision

Facilitate our students to grow into active, constructive, productive and energetic members of a just and prosperous society by enabling their sufficient analytical and language skill, accurate understanding about social reality, deep knowledge in the professional fields, strong drive for social justice and social progress, built-in cross-cultural sense and sensibility.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the Department of Sociology, Hispanic and Liberal/Interdisciplinary Studies are working in the professional fields of human resources and marketing departments in both public and private organizations, social service/social work agencies, state and local governments, schools, non-profit organizations, and many more. Equipped with the knowledge and skills they learned from the program students embed their extraordinary in the ordinary as they worked and are working on daily basis as community organizers, government officials, social workers, school teachers, police officers, business owners, company executives, etc. and have contributed to the local communities, the State of Massachusetts, the country, and the human society as a whole. Many of our graduates go on to graduate schools to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D.

What can you do with a Spanish degree?

Your Spanish degree will prepare you for a wide variety of careers and multiple types of professional settings. Follow your passions and pursue a career as a:

  • Translator
  • Bilingual teacher
  • Interpreter
  • Foreign service officer
  • International relations consultant
  • Travel agent
  • Writer or journalist
  • Tour guide
  • Non-profit worker
  • Community organizer
Students are led through a city by a tour guide.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Requirements for the Spanish Major - 39 Credits

 

Major Core - 15 Credits

Spanish Electives - 18-24 Credits

Electives - 0-6 Credits

Additional Requirements:

Additionally, with faculty supervision students may do individual work in Spanish within an English-language course under the rubric of Languages Across the Curriculum, when approved by the Language Department Chair. With this approval, such courses may be used as substitutions within the Spanish elective and literature components of the major, for a maximum of six credits.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Get big school features with small school advantages.  

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • 15:1

    student-faculty ratio

  • Study abroad

    in 35+ countries

  • 300+

    service projects

Expert faculty and individualized attention.

Westfield State University’s Spanish Department prides itself on providing personal attention to each of our students. You’ll receive one-on-one attention and mentorship from faculty and administrators. Plus, we work with you to tailor your degree to fit your interests and professional goals.

Learn more about the department

Contact Us

Dr. Hugo Viera
Director of the Hispanic Studies Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

Westfield State University does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does Westfield State University cost?

Westfield State University offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. 

Learn more about our student support services here.

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Spanish, B.A.