Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Our students become well-rounded critical thinkers who know the culture, history, literature and language of Spanish-speaking countries, and they enjoy careers in education, public administration, health care, medicine, law, the arts and NGOs.

Spanish majors study the culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries while gaining fluency in the Spanish language. Our students learn to write and speak Spanish and then shift their focus to reading sophisticated Spanish texts and become acquainted with the history of Spanish and Spanish ­American literature. Students gain a foundational knowledge of the history and culture of countries in which Spanish is spoken and are prepared for a career in our increasingly globalized world.

  • Understand Spanish culture, history and literature
  • Choose an area of emphasis, including Portuguese and Spanish language, literature and professional, to best meet your career goals
  • Learn about the Spanish-speaking world within a multicultural and diverse community

Practice your language skills in one of our Education Abroad destinations: Spain, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua

Get involved in our Service Learning program, where students learn about Hispanic cultures and practice their Spanish skills while supporting community partner schools.

Become fluent in the second most widely spoken language in the U.S.

Be successful.

Fluency in Spanish and Portuguese languages is an invaluable tool for students looking for an edge in the global job market.

 
$57,700

Median salary of CU Boulder students studying Spanish 1–5 years after graduation

 

Work in education, public administration, health care and medicine, law, the arts, or for nongovernmental organizations as a Spanish teacher, marketing coordinator, translator or interpreter, community services manager, recruiter, or business development manager

 

Jobs for translators and interpreters are expected to grow 17% between 2016 and 2026, more than double the average for all jobs

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Academic Plan & Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, students majoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of 12 upper-division credits at CU Boulder.

We offer three majors of study for students:

  • Spanish language and literature: This track is designed for future Spanish-language instructors, with an emphasis on critical thinking and communication skills
  • Spanish and Portuguese languages and cultures: This track provides students with the tools needed to conduct business in Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries
  • International Spanish for the professions: This track emphasizes knowledge and awareness of the cultural environment in which professions are practiced in the Spanish-speaking world (requires an additional 12 credits in a professional field, in a second major or in a second degree)

Additional degree options for students studying Spanish include: 

  • Bachelor’s-accelerated master’s: Our BA/MSIB program is for students who wish to combine their BA in Spanish for the professions with a one-year MS in international business (MSIB) from the University of Colorado Denver. Students seeking this option should complete the Leeds business minor. 
  • Teaching certificate in secondary Spanish: We collaborate with the School of Education to offer students an education in teaching Spanish in schools.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

Many alumni from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese have worked in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

Adam Carroll

(PhD'14)
Director of customer success at New Relic, a software analytics company in San Francisco

Dana Page

(BA'14)
An account executive at SHI International Corp., a technology company in Austin, Texas

Luis Hernán Castañeda

(PhD'12)
Assistant professor of Spanish at Middlebury College in Vermont

Shauna Polson

(MA'10)
An educational technology specialist with the Boulder Valley School District

Leela Greenberg

(BA'11)
A global leadership associate at Alibaba Group, a multinational e-commerce, retail, internet and technology conglomerate in Hangzhou, China

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover