Spanish
Spanish is the native language of nearly 500 million people, making it the second-most widely spoken language in the world. It is an official language in 21 countries, each with a rich history and culture that are reflected in the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of this one language in its many dialectal variations. It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and is the second most spoken language in the United States, which currently ranks as the third largest Spanish-speaking country in the world (after Mexico and Colombia).
Degree Types: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Minor
Degree Options
Degree Concentrations
- 2 BS options
Business - Applied Spanish
Popular Double Majors or Minors
- Business
- International Politics
- Global and International Studies
- Languages
About the Program
Why should I pursue this degree?
You might like this program if…
- You are passionate about serving others at home and abroad.
- You are fascinated by language, how it works, and how a language changes from one region to another.
- You understand that proficiency in Spanish opens a lot of doors.
- You want to share your passion for the Spanish language and culture with your students, in a career in education.
- You love to travel.
- You are a foodie, a film-buff, a word-gamer, or an adventurer.
Transferable Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Research and Attention to Detail
- Interpersonal Skills
Coursework
Opportunities to explore the following topics:
- Spanish for Social Services
- Topics in Border Studies
- Advanced Oral Expression and Communication
- Translation
- Spanish for Business and International Trade
Out-of-Classroom Experiences
Internships
- Crate and Barrel
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Deloitte
- Microsoft
- IES Internships
- Shoptiques.com
- Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology
Education Abroad Destinations
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Mexico
Spain
Career Paths
Continuing Education
- Medical school
- Law school
- Graduate school to study human resources, speech language pathology, international affairs, communication sciences and disorders, counseling and human services, journalism, industrial and organizational psychology, aging and health, TESOL, paralegal studies, management and leadership, nursing program, Spanish literature, or speech pathology
Job Titles
- Government Relations Coordinator
- Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Instructional Technology Specialist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Education Consultant
- Legislative Aid Interpreter
- Intelligence Specialist
Industries
Consulting, Cultural Leadership, Education, Human Resources, Logistics, Management, Research, Translation
Employers
- Deloitte
- Amazon
- PwC
- Pfizer
- Social Security Administration
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- U.S. Department of State
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
Have questions about this program?
Future students, contact the Liberal Arts Recruitment Team.
Current students, contact your academic adviser.
This program is housed
in the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
at Penn State University Park.