PEAK Majors

Spanish Major

PEAKS | HFA

Students pursuing a Spanish major must satisfy a course requirement of 33 total credit hours, of which 30 must be in Spanish and 15 must be in upper-division Spanish. For students entering the program with proven proficiency in Spanish language skills, a maximum of 10 lower-division credits may be waived. MFL-233.1 or MFL-235 is recommended as the initial course for students entering with strong language proficiency through previous high school study, immersion experiences, or native speaker family backgrounds. MFL-330.1 and MFL 331.1 and the capstone MFL-490 are required for the major.

Students are encouraged to decide early in their educational career to major or minor in Spanish, as they must follow the prescribed course sequence and assure an adequate number of semesters to complete prerequisites to upper division courses. Independent study is not a viable substitute for the coursework offered to fulfill the Spanish major or minor. Only students who have diligently planned with a Spanish advisor and consistently followed the course sequence may be granted an independent study. In such rare, exceptional cases when an independent study is approved, no more than one independent study (maximum three credit hours) shall count toward the Spanish major or minor.

Students who elect a major in Spanish are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where Spanish is dominant.

A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts & Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a major in Spanish must also complete three (3) credits in Fine Arts.

Note: Students who elect to major in the Spanish Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK may not minor in the Spanish Foundations Professional PEAK.

Major Requirements:

Courses are to be selected from the following offerings in consultation with a Spanish Major advisor.

Students wishing to teach Spanish at the secondary level must complete the Spanish major and MFL/EDU-444.1 and MFL/EDU-445.1. Please consult with the Education Department for specific certification requirements.

Other programs of study that may be of interest to students studying Spanish include:

  • Additional Foreign Languages
  • Anthropology/Sociology
  • Latin American Studies
  • Bilingual Education
  • Business
  • Education
  • Elementary Precertification
  • Health Professional Studies
  • International Political Economy
  • Latin American Studies
  • Literature in English
  • Teaching English as a Second Language

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Indicators 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, and 5.2 as described in Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Advanced Mid" Spanish proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).
  • The study of Spanish language, culture, and literature enhances student competency in critical thinking, analytical writing, problem solving, and written communication by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a linguistic and cultural framework different from their own.
  • Students pursuing a Spanish major must submit a portfolio consisting of six papers, including two research summaries, two descriptive works, and a selection of in-class direct writing assessments and revised papers.