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Spanish, B.A.

Students who major in Spanish at Saint Louis University gain a necessary asset in an increasingly globalized, complex world. Mastering Spanish as the demand for bilingual workers in the U.S. continues to rise gives graduates a competitive edge in education, health care, business, international relationships, government, cultural studies, social work and law enforcement. It also broadens one's horizons by increasing cultural awareness and global contacts.

Program Highlights

  • The Spanish major at Saint Louis University prepares students for careers requiring Spanish proficiency or for graduate work in Spanish.
  • With the help of a team of dedicated, experienced faculty members, instructors and mentors, Spanish majors focus on refining their language skills in Spanish, exploring the Hispanic cultural legacy through literature, linguistics and culture, gaining familiarity with Spanish within professional contexts (such as health care), and increasing their cultural and social sensitivity. Students are encouraged to study abroad; one option is SLU's campus in Madrid, Spain.
  • In the United States, Spanish has been present for more than five centuries, and it is currently the second most used language, spoken at home by about 42 million people and eight million students. Spanish is spoken worldwide by almost 500 million native speakers on four continents and in twenty-one countries. It is the third most used language on the internet, one of the six official languages of the United Nations — along with Arabic, French, English, Mandarin and Russian — and one of the official languages of the European Union. By 2030, Spanish speakers will make up 7.5% of the world's population.
  • Spanish is the second most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese.
  • Based on the growth of the Hispanic population and the increase of Spanish speakers worldwide, bilingual English-Spanish ability and cross-cultural understanding are valued assets within all fields but especially so within business, health care, government, education, cultural as well as international studies, social work and law enforcement. In addition, it is reported the need for foreign language teachers will increase 20% over the next 10 years in the U.S. 

Curriculum Overview

Spanish majors at Saint Louis University achieve oral and written proficiency in the language while taking courses in literature, culture, linguistics and Spanish for the professions. A diverse curriculum that focuses on literary, cultural and linguistic analyses provides students with an informed understanding and a critical perspective of main issues in Hispanic societies. Thus, when graduating, a Spanish major at SLU may have taken some of the following courses: 

  • Advanced Spanish Grammar
  • Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
  • Spanish in the USA
  • Spanish for the Health Professions
  • English-Spanish in Translation
  • The African Experience in Latin America
  • Latin American Film
  • Don Quixote

In addition to coursework in the classroom, Spanish majors at SLU are encouraged to participate in service projects and social activities that help develop cultural awareness and social conscience. Thus, students are invited to be part of the SLU Spanish Club, to volunteer in service learning opportunities and to participate in social activities such as movie nights, cultural talks, service workshops, etc.

The program encourages all students majoring in Spanish to spend one year at SLU's campus in Madrid, Spain. Besides many skill-expanding courses in Spanish language, culture and literature, students at the Madrid campus may select from various offerings in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Many courses are taught in English as well. This experience abroad has proven to be an invaluable asset in competing for career opportunities.

Careers

A major in Spanish, complemented by a second major, uniquely qualifies students to compete and advance in many careers. Spanish graduates can develop career paths successfully in:

  • Education
  • Medicine and health sciences
  • Business
  • Law
  • Government
  • Politics
  • Social work
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Foreign service
  • Scientific research
  • Translation and interpreting

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition $54,760

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to articulate complex ideas and have meaningful interactions in Spanish, both orally and in writing.
  2. Graduates will be able to interpret texts and artifacts produced in Spanish.
  3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of the Spanish language, cultures and Hispanic populations.
  4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of Spanish as a major world language with a relevant cultural legacy.
  5. Graduates will be able to engage with Spanish-speaking cultures. They will be able to explain similarities and differences between cultures.

Students may start the program at the 2000 level or 3000 level depending on their language and cultural proficiency. No more than a total of two SPAN and/or LLC courses conducted in English will be counted towards the major in Spanish.  All students complete 33 credits.

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements
Skills-Expanding Courses
SPAN 2010Connecting with the Hispanic World: Intermediate Spanish 13
SPAN 3010Connecting with the Hispanic World: Intermediate Spanish II3
SPAN 3020Eloquent Communication in Spanish3
3000-Level Spanish Elective Courses6
Select no more than two 3000-level courses beyond SPAN 3020:
SPAN 3030
Refining Spanish Expression: Grammar & Composition
SPAN 3040
In Conversation with the Hispanic World
SPAN 3100
Spanish Pronunciation
SPAN 3150
Introduction to Medical Spanish
SPAN 3360
Race, Gender, Class and Social Justice in Latin America
SPAN 3930
Special Topics
4000-Level Spanish Elective Courses18
Select the number of courses needed to complete 33 credits from the following:
SPAN 4000
Advanced Spanish Grammar
SPAN 4030
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
SPAN 4050
Span Phonetics & Phonology
SPAN 4060
History of the Spanish Language
SPAN 4070
Spanish in the United States of America
SPAN 4090
Spanish Sociolinguistics
SPAN 4130
Second Language Acquisition
SPAN 4150
Spanish for the Health Professions
SPAN 4160
Business & Prof Spanish
SPAN 4170
English-Spanish in Translation
SPAN 4175
Introduction to Translation English-Spanish
SPAN 4180
Creative Writing in Spanish
SPAN 4200
Introduction to Hispanic Literatures
SPAN 4220
Soccer and Society in the Spanish-Speaking World
SPAN 4240
Short Stories: History, Histories. Deciphering Latin-American Societies and Cultures
SPAN 4260
Latin American 'Modernism'
SPAN 4270
Contemporary Latin American Poetry
SPAN 4280
Early Latin American Novel
SPAN 4290
Contemporary Latin American Novel
SPAN 4310
Contemporary Latin-Am Drama
SPAN 4320
The African Experience in Spanish America
SPAN 4330
Latin Am Novel after 1970
SPAN 4340
Identities of the Other in 19th-c. Latin American Narrative
SPAN 4350
Latin American Testimony
SPAN 4360
Women's Literature in Latin America
SPAN 4370
Latin American Film
SPAN 4380
Cultural Stereotypes: Latin Am
SPAN 4390
Contemporary Spanish Women Writers
SPAN 4400
Strangers in a Familiar Land: Displacements in Latin America
SPAN 4510
Contemporary Latino Literature
SPAN 4521
The Kingdom of Brevity: Spanish and Spanish-American Short-Short Stories
SPAN 4560
Don Quixote
SPAN 4571
People and Things Out of Place: Transnational Border Crossings in 21st-Century Hispanic Cinema
SPAN 4590
Spanish Jewry in Spain and in the Diaspora
SPAN 4630
Narrative of the Spanish Civil War
SPAN 4680
Contemporary Spanish Short Story
SPAN 4700
20th Century Spanish Poetry
SPAN 4710
20th Century Spanish Novel
SPAN 4720
Twentieth Century Spanish Drama
SPAN 4740
Peninsular Spanish Poetry 1965-present
SPAN 4760
Spanish Literature and Film
SPAN 4770
Spanish Women Poets
SPAN 4790
Spanish Culture & Civilization
SPAN 4820
The Short Story in Medieval Spain: Fear, Education and Humor
SPAN 4830
Spanish Medieval Masterpieces
SPAN 4840
Love in the Middle Ages
SPAN 4850
Don Quixote and the Books that Drove Him Mad
General Electives52-55
Total Credits120

Every major is assigned a Spanish mentor who provides guidance and support within the program. All students are encouraged to contact and/or meet with their Spanish mentor at least once a year.  Mentors in the Spanish program help majors make the most out of their learning experience.

Non-Course Requirements

No more than a total of two SPAN and/or LLC courses conducted in English will be counted towards the major in Spanish.

Continuation Standards

All courses for the Spanish major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
  • Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
  • Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
  • Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
  • Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
  • Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
  • Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
  • Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
SPAN 2010 Connecting with the Hispanic World: Intermediate Spanish ISome students may begin at SPAN 1200 or at SPAN 3010 depending on their proficiency level. 3
CORE 1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 2-3
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
CORE 1900 Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication 3
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
General Electives 3
 Credits15-16
Spring
SPAN 3010
or CORE 3400
Connecting with the Hispanic World: Intermediate Spanish II (SPAN 3010 counts as Core 3400: Ways of thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture)
or Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture
3
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
CORE 3200 Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning 3
General Electives 6
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
SPAN 3020
or CORE 1200
Eloquent Communication in Spanish (SPAN 3020 counts as Core 1200 and should be taken in your first 60 credit hours at SLU. )
or Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication
3
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
CORE 2500 Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation 0
General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
SPAN 3XXX ElectiveStudents take two Spanish 3000-level courses beyond SPAN 3020 in any order; it is highly recommended they are taken concurrently. 3
Intensive Writing AttributeSPAN 3030 satisfies Writing Intensive. 3
General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
SPAN 4200
or CORE 3400
Introduction to Hispanic Literatures (SPAN 4200 counts as Core 3400 Ways of thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture. SPAN 4200 is a pre-requisite for other literature courses.)
or Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture
3
SPAN 4030
or CORE 3600
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (SPAN 4030 counts as Core 3600 Ways of thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences)
or Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences
3
Equity and Global Identity: Global InterdependenceAsk your Spanish Mentor for courses that satisfy Global Interdependence. 3
CORE 2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression (SPAN 4175 or SPAN 4180 counts as CORE 2800) 3
General Electives 3
 Credits15
Spring
SPAN 4000-level electiveStudents choose to take courses in a variety of areas. Mentors in the Spanish program help students build a comprehensive course sequence from early on. 6
Equity and Global Identity: Identities in ContextSPAN 4020, SPAN 4590, or SPAN 4790 satisfies Identities in Context. 3
CORE 3500 Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World 1
General Electives 5
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
SPAN 4000-level elective 3
CORE 4000 Collaborative Inquiry (SPAN 4150 satisfies Collaborative Inquiry.) 2-3
Reflection in ActionSPAN 4150 satisfies Reflection in Action. 3
Equity and Global Identity: Dignity, Ethics, and a Just SocietySPAN 4150 satisfies Dignity, Ethics, and a Just Society. 3
General Electives 4
 Credits15-16
Spring
SPAN 4000-level elective 3
General Electives 12
 Credits15
 Total Credits120-122

Program Notes

This roadmap is an example of what a four-year plan could look like for a typical student. Advanced Placement exam scores, 1818 credit and transfer credit may change the roadmap. Also, the sequence of courses may vary according to the student’s interests, goals and previous experience with the language and individual preferences.

This roadmap should not be used in place of regular academic advising and mentoring appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor and program mentors each semester. Faculty mentors in the Spanish program help majors make the most out of their learning experience.

Students have several options to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, including SLU's own campus in Madrid, Spain.

All requirements are subject to change.

Willing to experience Spanish life and culture firsthand? Wanting to put your language skills into practice outside the classroom? You can complete all or part of the Spanish major at SLU’s campus in Madrid. You may also choose to take many of your general degree requirements ― such as psychology, history and theology ― in Spanish.

Learn More