Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

About the B.A. in Spanish

Cedarville’s distinctly Christian B.A. in Spanish will equip you to read, write, speak, and comprehend spoken Spanish. You will gain a cultural understanding so you interact appropriately in a variety of social contexts. Studying the language, history, and literature of the Hispanic peoples will also provide you with opportunities to practice their language skills and gain appreciation for the contributions and values of the Hispanic culture.

Spanish represents the primary language spoken by more than 400 million people in 22 countries around the world. The United States is now the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, second only to Mexico. The ability to speak another language and relate well in a variety of cultural contexts is an essential 21st century skill.

This program is also offered as minor.

B.A. in Spanish Highlights

Biblical — Your Spanish course will give you a variety of opportunities to integrate your faith with your language study, from memorizing Bible verses and preparing to share your faith in Spanish, to examining cultural practices and exploring contemporary issues such as immigration from a biblical, Christian worldview. Your senior capstone course will focus on original research on a topic evaluated from a biblical perspective as well. And if you choose to go into a service professions, such as social work or health care, you will learn how to be a “cultural bridges” between service providers and clients.

Complementary — Since the Spanish major comprises only 34 credits (beyond Elementary Spanish), it serves as a unique complement to majors in other disciplines, such as business, missions, psychology, international studies, graphic design, social work, criminal justice, and more.

Fast-track — You may be able to receive credit for prior study in Spanish though Advanced Placement credit (up to 21 hours), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (up to 15 hours), or test-out credit through our in-house Spanish Placement Exam (varies). If you earn credit through any of these methods, you will not have to take those corresponding courses at Cedarville, saving you time and money.

Medical option — Customize your degree by adding the Certificate in Medical Spanish. This provides you with specific health-related vocabulary and cultural understanding through coursework and clinical experiences interacting with Hispanic patients.

Cross-cultural experience — You will be encouraged to enhance your program by participating in an approved cross-cultural experience, such as a study abroad program or missions outreach. Cedarville University maintains a cooperative program with the Institute of Spanish Studies in Valencia, Spain, which allows you to spend a semester studying abroad.

What Can I Do With Spanish?

Students who major in Spanish typically also complete an additional major in another discipline, such as global business, missiology, history, psychology, social work, or linguistics, to name some of the most common combinations. They then go on to careers in their chosen fields with the distinction of a high degree of fluency in Spanish and cross-cultural competence, which sets them apart from monolingual candidates.

Some of our recent graduates include an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at a Christian school in Ecuador, a social worker working with Hispanic immigrants, a nurse who works at a large Hispanic clinic in Philadelphia, several English teachers in Asia, a professional writer who worked on print materials for a company with branches in Central America, and several high school Spanish teachers.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Your coursework will be complemented by various opportunities on campus.

Study abroad in Spain — Spend a semester in Valencia, Spain, immersed in the culture as you learn.

Global Outreach — Participate in a short-term missions opportunity in Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and other Spanish-speaking countries,

Ministry opportunities — Serve with an after-school tutoring program or adult ESL classes with the local Hispanic population in Clark County .

Spanish Club — The  Spanish Club is a student organization that meets regularly to practice conversational Spanish. They participate in cultural activities, including ministry to local Hispanic churches, and host an annual Noche de Alabanza open to the entire student body.

Foreign Film Series — The  Foreign Film Series provides the Cedarville community an opportunity to view interesting and challenging films from around the world. The series allows viewers to peer into often unfamiliar cultures through the eyes of the cultures themselves.