Did you know that adding a Spanish major or minor to your degree is highly achievable within a four-year plan and will help set you apart?
It’s a great way to boost your skills and open up new career opportunities. Plus, if you’re thinking about grad school, we’ve got you covered! We offer not just graduate degrees but also dual-title degrees, giving you even more flexibility to combine your interests and take your education to the next level.
Start Building Your Major or Minor
Explore your options with our easy-to-follow flowcharts that guide you through each requirement. Then, map out your personalized plan using MiCurso—our interactive planning tool designed just for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of the Spanish minor and major, and how do I earn them?
Why is it a good idea to complete a Spanish minor or major?
Earning credentials like a Spanish minor or major is a great way to acquire skills and make yourself desirable for lots of professions. You will learn critical thinking and problem solving, intercultural competence, communication, teamwork and collaboration, among other skills. Studying abroad, which many Spanish students do, will show that you can take on challenges and thrive in new environments.
Is it difficult to add a Spanish minor or double major if I have another major?
The Spanish minor and major are extremely flexible and fit with many other majors. Once you have completed a couple of prerequisite courses, the remaining courses can be taken in almost any order, which makes it easier to plan your semester schedules. There are three different paths for the Spanish major, depending on your interests and your other major: the Spanish B.A. and the Spanish B.S. (which has a Business option and an Applied Option). See below for more information about course planning.
Please visit the MiCurso Major and MiCurso Minor course tracking apps and also the Spanish Major and Spanish Minor Flowcharts to learn more about course selections and requirements.
Are there practical Spanish courses for professions?
In addition to Spanish courses on literature, culture, and linguistics, students can select from courses that relate to a range of professional fields: Spanish for social services, multilingual and intercultural communication, Spanish for students in medical fields, translation, interpretation, advanced conversation, and more.
How many credits is the Spanish minor, and how long will it take to complete it?
The Spanish minor is 18 credits and the requirements start with SPAN 100; you will take 6 courses and most students will take 4 to 6 semesters to earn all 18 credits, depending on whether or not you study abroad or take multiple Spanish courses each semester.
Please visit the MiCurso Major and MiCurso Minor course tracking apps and also the Spanish Major and Spanish Minor Flowcharts to learn more about course selections and requirements.
How long will it take to complete a Spanish major?
The Spanish major is 36 credits for the BA (which is more common), or 39 credits for the Applied Option. Starting with SPAN 100, you will need to take 12 courses (13 for the Applied Option) and most students will take 7 or 8 semesters at a comfortable pace to complete all of the coursework, assuming Spanish is your second major. This depends on how many Spanish courses you take each semester and whether you study abroad. You will probably take more than one Spanish course in at least 2-3 semesters.
Please visit the MiCurso Major and MiCurso Minor course tracking apps and also the Spanish Major and Spanish Minor Flowcharts to learn more about course selections and requirements.
Where do I start?
What Spanish course should I take first?
Because students start at different places, Penn State has a language placement policy. Students with no prior experience with Spanish can begin with SPAN 001, but if you have taken some Spanish in high school, you might be able to start with SPAN 002, 003, or even higher. For information about AP exam credits and similar situations, see below.
Spanish Basic Language Program (SPAN 001, SPAN 002, SPAN 003, SPAN 10, SPAN 20)
I have completed (or have credits for) SPAN 003? What should I take next?
Take SPAN 100! You may have satisfied the 12th credit level language requirement for your major by taking SPAN 003, but you can continue to improve your Spanish proficiency and earn credits toward a Spanish minor.
Does SPAN 003 count toward the Spanish minor?
No, SPAN 003 does not count toward the minor, but immediately after SPAN 003, you can take SPAN 100, which does count toward the minor. See below for information on more advanced courses after SPAN 100.
What do I do after taking SPAN 020?
Take SPAN 100! You may have satisfied the 12th credit level language requirement for your major by taking SPAN 020, but you can continue to improve your Spanish proficiency and earn credits toward a Spanish minor.
Does SPAN 020 count toward the Spanish minor
No, SPAN 020 does not count toward the minor, but immediately after SPAN 020, you can take SPAN 100, which does count toward the minor.
Heritage, Bilingual, and Native Speakers of Spanish
I grew up speaking Spanish or in my community. What course should I start with?
Instead of taking SPAN 001, 002, or 003, students who are bilingual, first-language, or heritage Spanish speakers should enroll in Spanish 100A (or 200A in certain cases; see below).
Contact Ariana Mikulski (amm71@psu.edu) with any questions about the courses.
I was exposed to Spanish at home or in my community, but I struggle to speak it. Where should I start?
Contact Ariana Mikulski (amm71@psu.edu) for more information.
I had high school experience in a Spanish-speaking setting (e.g. in an immersion school or abroad). Can I begin in 200A?
Students without AP credit who completed any of their high school education in a Spanish-speaking setting may start in SPAN 200A instead of SPAN 100A. Heritage/bilingual students who earned a 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam start in SPAN 200A because their score gives them credits for SPAN 100A (see below). Also, Bilingual students who graduated from high school in Puerto Rico or a Spanish-speaking country are welcome to take SPAN 200A, but they also can choose to begin in SPAN 215 or 253W.
How do SPAN 100A and 200A fit in with the 12-credit level proficiency requirement?
Successful completion of SPAN 100A fulfills this requirement. That’s because it is considered equivalent to SPAN 100, which is higher than SPAN 003. Successful completion of SPAN 200A also fulfills this requirement.
Are SPAN 100 and SPAN 100A (or 200 and 200A) different courses?
SPAN 100A and 200A are specifically for bilingual and heritage speakers of Spanish, while SPAN 100 and 200 are for all other students. Although they are different courses, SPAN 100 and 100A both count as the first course requirement for the Spanish minor or major, while 200 and 200A both count as the second course requirement.
I have taken some Spanish courses. What’s next?
Once I have completed SPAN 100, what should I take next to work toward a Spanish minor or major?
SPAN 100 is the prerequisite for SPAN 200, 215, and 253W, all of which satisfy requirements for the minor or major. After taking SPAN 100, you’re free to move on to any of those three courses.
Please visit the MiCurso Major and MiCurso Minor course tracking apps and also the Spanish Major and Spanish Minor Flowcharts to learn more about course selections and requirements.
Do I need to take SPAN 200 before taking SPAN 215Q or 253W?
No, you can take SPAN 215Q and/or 253W after taking SPAN 100, and you may take 215Q, 253W and/or SPAN 200 in the same semester.
What courses can I take after SPAN 215Q and 253W?
The Spanish minor and major are extremely flexible, especially once you have completed SPAN 215Q and 253W. SPAN 215Q is the prerequisite for any of the advanced (i.e. 300 or 400-level) Spanish linguistics courses. SPAN 253W is the prerequisite for the advanced Spanish literature courses. This means you can now choose from a wide range of course options depending on your schedule and interests. For more information on course planning, contact Shawn Bainbridge (sab191@psu.edu) or Joe Bauman (jrb922@psu.edu).
How do SPAN 100A and 200A fit in with the 12-credit level proficiency requirement?
Successful completion of SPAN 100A fulfills this requirement. That’s because it is considered equivalent to SPAN 100, which is higher than SPAN 3. Successful completion of SPAN 200A also fulfills this requirement.
Are SPAN 100 and SPAN 100A (or 200 and 200A) different courses?
SPAN 100A and 200A are specifically for bilingual and heritage speakers of Spanish, while SPAN 100 and 200 are for all other students. Although they are different courses, SPAN 100 and 100A both count as the first course requirement for the Spanish minor or major, while 200 and 200A both count as the second course requirement.
Education Abroad
Where can I study abroad?
There are three Spanish faculty-led programs, in Mexico (Puebla) and Spain (Ronda and Cádiz) each summer as well as a Maymester trip to Spain and Italy. Numerous other programs are offered by external providers in Spain and Latin America, including full semester-length options.
How many credits can I earn toward a Spanish minor or major from study abroad?
Spanish majors can use up to 18 study abroad credits toward Spanish degree requirements; minors can use up to 12 credits. For more information on study abroad credits, contact Joe Bauman, Director of Undergraduate Studies (jrb922@psu.edu).
AP exam credits, IB, CLEP, and Seal of Biliteracy Information
Advanced Placement Credits (AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Spanish Literature and Culture)
I have AP credits. Which Spanish course should I take?
Students in AP courses receive a grade of 3, 4, or 5. If you received a 3, you were awarded 12 AP credits and should register for SPAN 100 (or 100A for bilingual/heritage speaker students). If you received a 4 or 5, you were awarded 15 AP credits and should enroll in SPAN 200 (or 200A):
Score on AP Test | Equivalent PSU credits | Recommended course |
|---|---|---|
3 | 12 credits
(completion of SPAN 003)
| SPAN 100/100A |
4 or 5 | 15 credits
(completion of SPAN 100)
| SPAN 200/200A |
Note: Students who have taken the AP exam must contact the Penn State Admissions office to have the credits listed on their transcript. The Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese cannot add these credits to their transcript. However, if you are unsure whether the score has been reported to Penn State, you should contact the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese so our office can check the transcript. If the score has not been reported, you will not receive the credits and will need to take SPAN 003.
IB Spanish Exam Credit and Course Placement
What IB score is required for Spanish, and what Penn State credits and course placement will I receive?
If you received a score of 5 or higher (out of 7) on the “Higher Level” Spanish B exam, you will be awarded Penn State credit for SPAN 001, 002, and 003. This means you have completed the 12th credit-level foreign language requirement and can enroll in SPAN 100. However, you may not take SPAN 003 or any lower-level Spanish courses at Penn State.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Can I use the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) to fulfill the 12th credit level of proficiency in Spanish requirement for my major at Penn State?
Yes, Penn State accepts CLEP exams for credit in Spanish. By achieving a qualifying score on the CLEP Spanish Language exam, you may earn credit that satisfies part, or all of the Spanish language requirement for your major.
Can I receive Penn State credit for the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish to satisfy the world language requirement?
Penn State does not directly award credit for earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. However, the Seal can demonstrate your proficiency and can be considered for course placement. Please contact the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese for more information.
Career Options
Career Directions
Combining a degree in Spanish with courses in fields such as economics, hotel-restaurant management, business administration, or Latin-American studies provides access to careers in a wide variety of areas. In recent years, the combination of Spanish with social work has also proven especially attractive because of the growing number of professinal positions that deal directly with the country’s Latino community. The federal government employs liberal arts graduates with foreign-language skills in organizations including the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of Labor. Other opportunities exist in business and education; however, students who intend to teach in the public schools should contact the College of Education for specific teacher certification requirements.
The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network
The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network is a resource for Liberal Arts majors who are seeking opportunities to engage in career-related, international, and professional development activities. Liberal Arts majors interested in internship opportunities, study abroad programs, alumni mentoring opportunities, undergraduate research experiences, or funding sources to help support an enrichment activity should visit the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network for more information.
Liberal Arts majors can also register for an account with the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Nittany Lion Careers system to search and apply for internship opportunities, upload resumes for review, view important announcements or upcoming events, and schedule appointments with a Network staff member to talk about resumes, specific career interests, or funding opportunities to support enrichment experiences.
The Summer Research Opportunities program, a committee on institutional cooperation opportunity
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate education at CIC universities. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. By participating in SROP, you will gain valuable research experience on a CIC campus and enhance your qualifications for admission to graduate school:
- Study in your field of choice
- All-expenses paid plus stipend
- Housing and transportation included
- Top faculty-mentored research experience
- Enrichment workshops and opportunities
- Participation in academic research conference
Advising
Advising Roles
