Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Spanish
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About

In the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, you’ll develop your conversation, composition, and grammar skills. You’ll study Spanish literature, culture, and civilization. In addition, you’ll choose from a variety of electives that will further deepen your knowledge of the Spanish language.

Some of the topics you’ll learn about include:

  • Global and local themes depicted in authentic literature, film, art, podcasts, and other cultural products
  • Political, social, intellectual, and artistic development of Spanish-American culture
  • Political, social, intellectual, and artistic development of Spanish culture

There are two Spanish BA options:

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What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Spanish Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The 49-credit major requires the completion of a minor.

Grade Requirements: the minimum cumulative GPA for this program is ≥2.7.

Required Courses
SPAN 201INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE5
SPAN 202INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE5
SPAN 203INTERMEDIATE SPANISH AND CULTURE5
SPAN 310ADVANCED GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION3
SPAN 311ADVANCED GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION3
Choose two of the following courses:10
HISPANIC LINGUISTIC STUDIES
HISPANIC CULTURAL STUDIES
HISPANIC LITERARY STUDIES
Electives–select courses above SPAN 30018
Total Credits49

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 1075
SPAN 10135SPAN 10235SPAN 10335
Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215Natural Science BACR 115
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SPAN 201 (Humanities & Arts BACR 1)5SPAN 202 (Humanities & Arts BACR 2)5SPAN 203 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)5
Diversity - graduation requirement15Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Natural Science BACR 215
Natural Science BACR 215Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SPAN 3103SPAN 3113SPAN 322, 323, or 3245
SPAN 322, 323, or 3245Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Spanish Elective23
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective4 Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective2
 17 13 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Spanish Elective25Senior Capstone - graduation requirement15Spanish Elective25
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Spanish Elective25Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
 15 15 15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives–select 18 credits in courses above SPAN 300.

3

Students who complete four years of a single language in high school can start taking Span 201. Students who earn a Seal of Biliteracy should take the placement test to determine which course is best for them based on their proficiency. Students who speak Spanish at home must take the placement test before taking any course.

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List

Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in Spanish from EWU should be able to: 

  • speak at the advanced-low (or higher) level of proficiency on the ACTFL scale in Spanish;
  • write at the advanced-low (or higher) level of proficiency on the ACTFL scale in Spanish;
  • read at the advanced-low (or higher) level of proficiency on the ACTFL scale in Spanish;
  • demonstrate listening comprehension at the advanced-low (or higher) level of proficiency on the ACTFL scale in Spanish;
  • analyze in Spanish Hispanic artistic products taking into consideration historical, political, economic, and other social issues. 

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 1075
SPAN 10135SPAN 10235SPAN 10335
Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215Natural Science BACR 115
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SPAN 201 (Humanities & Arts BACR 1)5SPAN 202 (Humanities & Arts BACR 2)5SPAN 203 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)5
Diversity - graduation requirement15Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Natural Science BACR 215
Natural Science BACR 215Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
SPAN 3103SPAN 3113SPAN 322, 323, or 3245
SPAN 322, 323, or 3245Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Spanish Elective23
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective4 Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective2
 17 13 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Spanish Elective25Senior Capstone - graduation requirement15Spanish Elective25
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Spanish Elective25Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5Elective - 2nd major, minor, or general elective5
 15 15 15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives–select 18 credits in courses above SPAN 300.

3

Students who complete four years of a single language in high school can start taking Span 201. Students who earn a Seal of Biliteracy should take the placement test to determine which course is best for them based on their proficiency. Students who speak Spanish at home must take the placement test before taking any course.

Applied Learning Opportunities

Students in Salamanca

  • Internships: Get real-world experience by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals. Spanish-speaking students can pursue internships with bilingual workplaces, international companies, healthcare providers, legal offices, or community organizations that serve Spanish-speaking populations—making you especially competitive in diverse job markets.
  • Practicums: Hone your skills in structured field placements, such as classrooms or community organizations, which are often required for professional certification. Spanish proficiency is especially valuable in education, social work, counseling, and healthcare settings where you can support Spanish-speaking clients, students, and families.
  • Student Employment & Leadership at EWU: Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, athletics, or clubs. Bilingual students can serve as cultural ambassadors, peer mentors, or support staff for multicultural programs.
  • Study Abroad: Travel, learn, and experience new cultures while earning credit and developing communication skills that help you thrive anywhere. Studying in Spanish-speaking countries strengthens language fluency and cultural competence—these are key assets for many careers. EWU offers a faculty-lead program in Salamanca, Spain, every summer.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover. Spanish skills can open opportunities to conduct research with Spanish-speaking communities, analyze cross-cultural data, or contribute to global research initiatives.
  • Volunteerism: Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and applying classroom knowledge to make an impact. Spanish-speaking volunteers are in high demand at hospitals, schools, legal aid clinics, and nonprofit organizations, where they help bridge language gaps and improve access to essential services.

Career Possibilities

  • Spanish Teacher (K-12 or Higher Education)
  • ESL Teacher 
  • Language Instructor 
  • Curriculum Developer 
  • Academic Advisor 
  • Study Abroad Coordinator
  • Translator 
  • Interpreter 
  • Subtitle or Captioning Specialist
  • Localization Specialist 
  • Court Interpreter
  • Medical Interpreter
  • Foreign Service Officer 
  • Diplomatic Corps 
  • Immigration Officer
  • International Development Specialist 
  • Policy Analyst 
  • Consular Assistant
  • International Business Consultant 
  • Marketing Specialist 
  • Sales Representative 
  • Corporate Communications Specialist 
  • Customer Service Manager 
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Medical Translator or Interpreter
  • Community Outreach Coordinator 
  • Public Health Educator 
  • Social Worker 
  • Healthcare Program Coordinator 
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Journalist or Reporter 
  • Public Relations Specialist 
  • Social Media Manager
  • Content Writer or Editor 
  • Radio or Television Host 
  • Copywriter
  • Travel Consultant 
  • Tour Guide 
  • Hospitality Manager 
  • Event Coordinator 
  • Hotel Manager
  • Immigration Lawyer 
  • Legal Translator
  • Paralegal 
  • Legal Aid Worker 
  • Family Court Advocate
  • Nonprofit Program Coordinator 
  • Grant Writer
  • Outreach Specialist
  • Volunteer Coordinator 
  • Fundraising Specialist
  • Independent Translator or Interpreter
  • Freelance Writer or Blogger 
  • Bilingual Consultant 
  • Spanish Language Coach 
  • Founder of a Spanish-Focused Cultural Business or Nonprofit
  • International Relations Specialist 
  • International Aid Worker
  • Trade Specialist 
  • Diplomatic Attaché 
  • Humanitarian Aid Coordinator

A Spanish major gives you an in-depth understanding of the Spanish language, literature, and culture.

The degree opens doors to a wide range of career possibilities across industries. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish is a valuable asset in today’s global job market.

By pursuing a Spanish major, you’ll gain fluency in the language—plus valuable skills in critical thinking, writing, and cross-cultural communication.

These skills set you up for success in various fields, including international relations, education, business, and healthcare. You can even pursue roles in translation, interpretation, marketing, social services, and government.

If you want a degree that allows you to work with diverse communities, promote intercultural understanding, and make a meaningful impact, Spanish is a smart—and rewarding—choice.

Explore the career opportunities for Spanish majors:

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