Bachelor's Degree in Spanish

Who is this program for?

The bachelor's degree program in Spanish is ideal for students who want to achieve fluency in the Spanish language and gain a deep understanding of Hispanic cultures and literatures around the world and here in the US. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in international business, diplomacy, translation and interpreting and education, and for any field where bilingual communication skills and cultural expertise are highly valued.

Program Overview

Our field aims to develop students’ Spanish language skills, to deepen their understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures and literatures domestically and abroad, to sharpen critical thinking and foster creative approaches while they explore and develop their roles as local and global citizens in a pluralistic society.

Related Careers

  • Elementary/Secondary Education
  • Translation
  • Interpreting
  • Travel/Tourism
  • International Business/Marketing
  • Community Organization
  • International and National Non-profits
  • National/State/Local Law Enforcement
  • Journalism
  • Foreign Service/State Department
  • Social Work
  • Public Relations
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Credit Hours
120
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Credential
BA

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What You'll Learn

The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish program offers students the opportunity to develop advanced proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish while gaining a deeper understanding of the cultures, histories, and societies of the Spanish-speaking world. The curriculum includes coursework in language, literature, linguistics, and cultural studies, helping students build strong communication, creativity and critical thinking skills. Through immersive learning experiences and engagement with authentic texts and media, students expand their global perspective and intercultural competence.

Students majoring in Spanish choose between three tracks of study: Spanish language and linguistics; Spanish literature and culture; and general Spanish. All tracks offer the chance to explore a wide variety of subject matter and approaches, including the opportunity to pursue internships and Education Abroad related to the individual student’s interests within the major.

 Expand the menu below to view a sample curriculum plan for the available degree options and pathways.


Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.

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Accelerated Pathway

This program is part of the Accelerated Master's Pathways program. If you plan to obtain a related master's degree, this program can save you time and money with dual credit hours when you sign up.

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"As a pre-health student, I would choose to major in Spanish again without hesitation.

I have studied abroad twice, first for a semester in Costa Rica and later during a winter intersession in Mexico. Academically and professionally, Spanish has opened doors to meaningful research opportunities. Studying Spanish has not only enhanced my language proficiency, but has also deepened my cultural awareness and prepared me to be a more empathetic and effective healthcare provider." 

Mallory Sparks
Mallory Sparks Class of '26
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Explore Financial Aid Options

Undergraduate degree-seeking students have access to a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans, designed to make education more affordable.

Program Specific Funding Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities for Study Abroad and Undergraduate Research

  • Zembrod Award: Two $1250 scholarships are awarded annually to Spanish majors or minors who are planning to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Applications are accepted through Scholarship Universe.
  • Zolondek Award: Three $5000 scholarships are awarded annually to students who commit to studying in both KIIS Spain I and KIIS Spain II in the same summer. Applications are accepted through Scholarship Universe. For more details about the requirements for the scholarship, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Hispanic Studies.
  • Funds for Undergraduate Research: The department accepts applications from undergraduate students to help defray the costs of travel to present their research at conferences such as NCUR, WorldCUR, and other various national and regional conferences. For more details about the requirements for the scholarship, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Hispanic Studies.

Expand Your Learning

Spanish majors have a wealth of opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom and connect to communities locally, nationally and around the globe.

Education Abroad

Spanish students study in countries around the world, improving their language skills and learning about themselves and others in ways that that have an impact for many years to come. Some choose programs that are several weeks long in the summer or winter breaks, others study for a semester or a year, some even choose to study abroad more than once. Early planning opens a world of possibilities. Check in with Education Abroad to get started.

SPA 397 – Independent Study

Work with a faculty member to explore more deeply an idea/topic that sparked your interest in class.

SPA 399 - Field Experience

Put your skills to work in community and earn credit toward your Spanish major. Work with a faculty member to develop a Service-Learning project or set up an internship.

SPA 497 – Spanish Honors Thesis

Spanish majors who meet requirements can extend their independent studies into a more developed paper or project. This is an ideal opportunity for students who wish to continue to graduate study in Spanish or other fields.

Honors Courses and Honors Thesis (For students in the Honors College)

Faculty members in Hispanic Studies frequently work with Honors Students studying Spanish to fulfill requirements for both programs.

Hispanic Studies Undergraduate Symposium

Students who pursue independent study in whatever form (project, thesis, internship, service-learning) are encouraged to share their experiences through a brief symposium presentation in the Spring semester. It’s a great way to build a resume, share with other students and celebrate creativity, innovation and intellectual inquiry.

For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Hispanic Studies.

 

Practice Your Spanish with Others

There are many ways to practice and take your Spanish to the next level right here on UK's campus:

La Mesa de Español - A weekly gathering for anyone who needs some extra practice or who has questions about assignments from class. Hispanic Studies Teaching Assistants and Instructor meet with students to go over homework, help with projects, prepare for upcoming exams or practice speaking.

¡Hay que hablar!  - Brings together students of Spanish and heritage and native speakers of the language once a month for cultural programs and conversation.

Almuerzos los Miércoles - is a lunchtime Spanish conversation group open to all levels of experience. There is no specific topic so conversations are casual and wide-ranging, from classes to pop culture to future plans, wherever the tertulia takes us! It meets on Wednesdays (¡por supuesto!) during the semester in the main office of the Hispanic Studies Department.

Students participate in a career fair.
Students meet with student org representatives at an outdoor involvement fair.

Get Involved!

Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!

Learn About Student Organizations & Activities
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Complete the form to get the latest updates on this program, including special events and application deadlines.

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Things to do on this form:
Take away "Term" for Transfers - "Unknown Term"? As well as "Not in High School"
And the same for "Online"

Possibly remove the "Readmit" option.
Feel like it would be pretty easy to see if the person already exists in our system and has a program enrollment record associated with them, which would shift them from "Freshman" or "Transfer" to "Readmit"
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