Major and Minor Details

The Hispanic Studies Major

A major in Hispanic Studies consists of a minimum of 40 credits. This includes 12 credits of Foundations Courses starting with 230 Spanish for Success (or 212) and followed by 2 courses designated as 27x, 311, or 312, which may be taken in any order. Beyond the Foundations Courses, students take 28 credits of additional courses including a capstone experience. 12 credits of coursework from study abroad may be applied to the major. 

Students majoring in Hispanic Studies must take at least one course numbered 320 or above in each of the areas of literature, culture and linguistics. All Hispanic Studies majors are required to spend at least one semester in a Spanish-speaking country. Students who are unable to participate in a semester-long study abroad program can fulfill this requirement through an Internship or a summer program. Many of our students also pursue a minor or double major in related fields such as Latin American Studies, Education, Global Business, Political Science, Biology, History, English, Nursing, Global Health, Environmental Studies, etc. Students wishing to obtain a high school or elementary teaching certificate should consult the department of Education for required or recommended courses. 

Students who place beyond the initial course in the Foundations level will take additional 300-level electives to meet the minimum 40 credits.

The Hispanic Studies Minor

A minor in Hispanic Studies consists of a minimum of 24 credits. This includes 12 credits of Foundations Courses starting with 230 Spanish for Success (or 212) and followed by 2 courses designated as 27x, 311, or 312, which may be taken in any order. The balance of 24 credits is met by taking 12 additional credits of coursework numbered 320 or higher. 12 credits of coursework from study abroad may be applied to the minor. 

Students who place beyond the initial course in the Foundations level will take additional 300-level electives to meet the minimum 24 credits.

Initial Placement for Hispanic Studies Language Courses

The particular entry point within the sequence of language courses depends upon the results of a placement test, administered at the beginning of each semester for those beginning HISP111, 112 and 211. The placement test is required of every student with a prior knowledge of Spanish who wishes to enroll. This test will be available online before registration.