Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Explore Your Passion for Languages and Communication

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language, starting with a mix of beginning, intermediate and advanced instruction and incorporating medical communication and an exploration of Hispanic culture. Through this comprehensive lens, The University of Texas at Tyler’s Bachelor of Arts in Spanish uniquely prepares you for careers in education, government, social work, communications and other fields in an increasingly varied economic system.

Close to home and across the globe, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages: it’s the official tongue of 20 countries and the second-most used in the United States, including in Texas. Here, an estimated 7.67 million residents, or roughly 28.78% of the population, speak Spanish — a substantial margin over any other language and trailing not far behind English.

The Spanish major prepares students to earn a certificate for teaching in high schools, to enter law school, to work in international business, nonprofit organizations, government sectors and medical and healthcare fields, and for advanced study in Spanish and other disciplines. The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish offers:

• 18 hours of online or in-person courses, including SPAN 1611, 2611 and two upper-division electives.
• Medical Spanish I and II for majors in Spanish and in the healthcare professions.
• Spanish for business majors seeking professional opportunities requiring a foreign language.

Why Major in Spanish at UT Tyler?

At UT Tyler, Spanish majors develop communication skills to prepare for impactful careers in a global economy where campaigns, instruction and client relationships involve more than one language.

Our program’s strengths include:

• Expert Faculty: Study with dedicated professors fluent in the language who bring their own rich experiences from living and working in Spanish-speaking countries into the classroom. Speak with Dr. Greg Utley for more information.
• Cultural Exploration: Delve into cultural contexts and significance with courses specializing in the literatures and cultures of Spain and Spanish America.
• Learn at Any Level: Take courses at the beginner, intermediate or advanced level, depending on your previous training and ability.
• Small Classes: Our classes average 15 students, allowing you to maximize your opportunities to practice conversational Spanish and receive close, personal attention from professors.
• Teacher Certification: Prepare to teach Spanish by completing education courses and working toward certification through the College of Education and Psychology.
• Medical Spanish Certificate: Take SPAN 4301 and SPAN 4302 to earn this career-boosting distinction.
• Study Abroad: Take advantage of exciting study abroad opportunities in Spain.

Curriculum

The Spanish major’s curriculum spans Spain and Spanish America’s breadth of literature, history and artistic influences and further explores Hispanic culture.

Students take a minimum of 36 credit hours in Spanish, 24 of which must be upper-division classes.

General requirements include:

• Advanced Grammar
• Hispanic Culture and Civilization
• Intermediate Spanish or Accelerated Spanish
• Introduction to Hispanic Literature
• Writing Proficiency in Spanish

Then, choose from a wide-ranging collection of electives, including:

• Introduction to Linguistics
• Medical Spanish
• Modern Latin American Literature
• The Spanish American Short Story
• Spanish Communication

Students select a minor requiring at least 18 credit hours in a related discipline chosen in consultation with an advisor and the program’s Department.

Spanish Major Requirements

Certification

The University of Texas at Tyler’s bachelor’s in Spanish equips you to pursue all-level teacher certification. Interested students add an education minor in preparation. Learn more about fulfilling certification requirements.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish?

Look toward careers in teaching, government, social work, communications or corporate international relations. Use your extensive knowledge of Spanish to speak to more audiences, assist clients or expose others to its phrases, structure and meaning.

Graduates of our program teach Spanish at area schools, including Robert E. Lee High School, John Tyler High School and Brook Hill School, or advance their studies in master’s programs at Texas A&M, The University of New Mexico, The University of Texas at Arlington and other distinguished institutions.