Studying Spanish: Degrees at a Glance
Undergraduate degree programs in Spanish can prepare candidates for a range of career paths, including translator or language instructor. These programs can also facilitate or further your career prospects in fields like customer service, social service, human resources and patient advocacy.
If your goal is to teach Spanish at the college level, you'll need to continue your studies at the doctoral level. However, you'll be able to teach Spanish at the high school level with a bachelor's degree and teaching certification. An associate's degree program in Spanish might allow you to pursue some employment opportunities, but as a terminal degree, it might lack the academic punch you'll need to get ahead. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for foreign language interpreters are expected to increase 42% from 2010-2020; however, jobs for high school teachers were only expected to increase by 7% during the same period.
| Associate's | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in pursuing careers for which fluency in Spanish would be a welcome addition | People wanting to become translators or language professionals |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate annual salary) | These programs are unlikely to prepare you for a particular job but can help you develop your language skills. | - Foreign language translator ($44,000)* - High school teacher ($57,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 2 years full-time | 4 years full-time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | 17-20 courses | 35-40 courses |
| Prerequisites | None | Fluency in Spanish is often encouraged. Some programs require a placement exam. |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
Associate's Degree In Spanish
In an associate's degree program, you usually start out with elementary Spanish and continue on to advanced Spanish. Most programs feature course requirements in conversational language or humanities, such as a study of Spanish culture or literature.
A program like this may provide you with the competitive edge you need to get ahead in the workplace, particularly if this degree is in addition to other degrees or experience you have already obtained. However, if your career goal is teaching or translating, you'll likely need a bachelor's degree and additional certification.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- You can complete your studies in two years or less
- Many programs are designed so that you can transfer all your credits to a 4-year institution
- You'll develop your language skills, which could help you with any career path that requires familiarity with the Spanish language
Cons
- You may be competing for jobs with people who have a bachelor's degree or are already fluent in Spanish
- If you want to teach or work as a translator, you'll likely need more education
- Does not provide you with the broader educational benefits of a 4-year degree program
Courses and Requirements
There are generally few additional course requirements in a program other than general education requirements and a core set of Spanish language and culture courses. Specific courses may include elementary and intermediate Spanish, Spanish conversation, Latin American literature and Hispanic civilization. Courses are offered in a linear fashion, meaning you must take them in a particular order.
Online Course Info
There are both online and hybrid degree programs available. The online programs offer the most flexibility, making them ideal for working professionals seeking to enhance their career opportunities. On the other hand, learning a new language can be difficult and frustrating, and some students may benefit from having personal contact with peers and instructors that is afforded by campus-based learning.
Getting Ahead with this Degree
If you plan to go on to a 4-year program, you can make yourself stand out to college admissions departments by choosing an associate's degree program that will allow you to transfer most, if not all, of your credits. This typically requires that you complete appropriate general education requirements as well as at least 18 credit hours of core Spanish courses.
Bachelor's in Spanish
Bachelor's degree programs in Spanish are designed to equip you with the language skills you need to teach or pursue another career that requires familiarity with the language, such as translator. In addition to studying the language, you'll examine historical and literary components of Spanish culture. Rounding out your curriculum will be a set of liberal arts or humanities electives. Most, if not all, courses will be taught exclusively in Spanish. Programs are available that provide teacher licensure for those who want to teach Spanish at the 7th- to 12th-grade level.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- With some jobs, bilingual job applicants are likely to have a hiring advantage over those who speak only English
- Provides you with the language skills you need while also providing a grounding in liberal arts or humanities topics
- Diverse U.S. population is expected to increase job growth*
Cons
- Does not prepare you for teaching Spanish at the college level
- If you're pursuing work as a language translator, you'll likely have to move to a major metropolitan area
- You may still need to practice your language skills to maintain them
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Courses and Requirements
Course requirements will depend on the type of degree you pursue. For example, if you're pursuing a Spanish major with a teaching certificate, you'll likely take courses in curriculum and instruction, in addition to meeting supervised teaching responsibilities. Your Spanish-related courses might include:
- Advanced Spanish
- Latin American civilization
- Latin literature
- Spanish grammar
- Phonetics and pronunciation
Online Course Info
Fully online bachelor's degree programs in Spanish are available, as are hybrid programs that combine online and campus-based learning. These programs typically cover the same courses as on-campus programs.
Getting Ahead with this Degree
One way to get ahead with this degree is to participate in one or more semesters abroad, allowing you to spend time in Spain or Latin America learning the language and culture. Keep in mind that traditional campus-based degree programs may provide you with more study-abroad resources and opportunities than online programs.
If you plan on pursuing a teaching career after you've graduated, you'll need to earn state certification or licensure. Requirements vary by state, but generally include completing an academic program from an accredited school and a supervised student teaching experience.
The American Translators Association offers voluntary certification in the field of translation. To earn certification, you must pass one or more proficiency exams; these are designed to test your knowledge of both English and Spanish.
