Why choose
Spanish?
I want to communicate with patients in both English and Spanish to improve health care for underserved communities.
Alex | Spanish Heritage major
A degree to appeal to your wide range of interests
Undergraduate emphases
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a variety of innovative courses that helps students improve their skills in intercultural communication.
Translation & Interpretation
The Translation and Interpretation Program is one of few undergraduate programs in the country. Learn about the intersection of language with human rights and social justice issues, especially in the areas of health care and law. The interdisciplinary curriculum is taught by experienced faculty who have worked as certified court and medical interpreters.
Spanish & Portuguese
The Spanish Major with Portuguese Emphasis completes course work in language, literature, linguistics and culture in both languages, which are both among the world’s most spoken languages, with nearly 700 million native speakers combined.
Hispanic Linguistics
Students explore how language is formulated and organized in our brains, what Spanish structures are possible and why, andhow sounds are organized, produced and perceived. Some of our classes also explore language production as social behavior, taking into account speakers’ intentions, the role of the interlocutor, Spanish variation and change over time, and the impact of language ideologies and attitudes on our societies.
Hispanic Literature
The Literature and Cultural Studies major track offers students innovative courses in Spanish that helps hone their skills in intercultural communication. Courses in the program focus on a variety of regions, subjects and perspectives that include the cultures of the Southwest, visual art, music, cinema, literature, urban spaces, border sand migration, and community engagement.
Spanish Generalist
The versatile core curriculum includes courses in grammar and writing, conversation, literature, linguistics and translation and interpretation. Then, through a broad slate of electives, students have the opportunity to design an academic experience that complements their professional goals.
#5
The University of Arizona ranks fifth in the nation for producing graduates with Spanish degrees.
*Chronicle of Higher Education, 2019
Hispanic Serving Institution
In 2018, the University of Arizona became one of 11 Research 1 schools and one of just 4 Association of American Universities members to have earned HSI designation.
#1
Emerging Career in the U.S.:
Translator and Interpreter
*UC San Diego Extension’s Center for Research on the Regional Economy, 2017
Individualize your degree plan
Grew up speaking Spanish?
Heritage learners of Spanish are students who have been exposed to Spanish in their homes or communities from a young age. As a consequence of that early exposure, they can understand and/or speak the language and have a personal connection to it. The Heritage program gives students opportunities to improve their written and oral expression, while they acquire a renewed pride in the language of their parents and grandparents.
Gain Essential Skills for a Dynamic Career
With a comprehensive focus on professional development and versatile, broadly applicable skills, students are ready to transition into successful careers after college. Graduates of this program have gone on to fashion their own unique career paths in the fields of law, medicine, public policy, teaching, journalism, publishing, creative cultural industries, as well as to pursue graduate study at top programs in the country.
An assortment of internships and community partnerships
The Critical Service-Learning Program is designed to build strong relationships with Tucson-area communities and connect our students with organizations through partnerships and approved service internships to fulfill service-hour requirements. The program integrates experiential opportunities for students focused on social entrepreneurship, leadership, and community-based projects and outreach. The Translation and Interpretation Program offers practicums and internships in legal institutions and hospitals and clinics within the community that help students gain experience beyond the classroom.
Multiple degree options
Build your degree to fit the learning experience you want.
Spanish Major
Double Major
Spanish Minor
What are Spanish majors thinking about?
Popular Courses:
Latin America on Film
SPAN210
Building Peace and Memory from World War II to Latin America
SPAN211
Translation and Interpretation: Social Justice and Practice
SPAN341
SPAN371
Children’s Literature in Spanish
SPAN441
I am eager to enter the workforce with what I’ve gained from the College.
Mely Bohlman | Spanish & Portuguese, Environmental Science
Want to learn more about our Spanish program?
Karina M Rodriguez
Recruitment Coordinator
We believe our Spanish and Portuguese program not only provides a dynamic, thought-provoking education but also a path to a fulfilling career. Get in touch with our coordinator, Karina, and she can help find the best formula for you.
Your opportunity outside of the classroom
Located only 35 km northeast of Madrid, Alcalá de Henares has a student population of 17,000 and offers theaters, shopping, concerts and an active nightlife.
Situated between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, you’ll learn local “modismos” with your Chilean host family and explore the twin cities of Viña and Valpo during this semester-long experience.
Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture by living with a local family and exploring this beautiful country through cultural excursions
To get the most out of college, don’t try to do it alone. Connect with others for a rewarding undergraduate experience.
El Cotorreo Spanish Convo Group
Come and chill with your morning drink and practice your Spanish language skills with other learners and graduate students from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Spanish Game Club
Once a week during the semester come join other students socialize and practice your Spanish. With speakers from novice to native while playing games. You’ll be among friends, classmates, and more in a welcome nonjudgmental environment.
Community Outreach
El Cotorreo Spanish Convo Group
Come and chill with your morning drink and practice your Spanish language skills with other learners and graduate students from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Spanish Game Club
Once a week during the semester come join other students socialize and practice your Spanish. With speakers from novice to native while playing games. You’ll be among friends, classmates, and more in a welcome nonjudgmental environment.
Community Outreach
Your choice
Decide where a Spanish degree will take you
Alumni Careers
Knowing more than one language enhances employment opportunities in government, business, law, medicine and health care, teaching, technology, the military, communications, social service, marketing, etc. A lot of options, right? Apart from the language, the critical thinking, problem-solving skills and intercultural competence that comes from studying Spanish will benefit you no matter what career you pursue.
Melissa Pitts
Melissa Pitts
B.A. Spanish 2007
B.A. Latin American Studies 2007
Account Director | FCB NEW YORK
“Having a background in humanities allows me to have a more profound connection with my clients and their constituencies. With demographics becoming much more diverse, having a degree in Spanish gave me the background and platform to provide sound client advice when marketing to the Latino community through TV, print, digital and radio communication channels.”
Timothy Tiutan
Timothy Tiutan
B.A. Spanish 2012
B.S. Health Sciences 2012
M.D. Medicine 2016
Resident Physician | NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
“Pursuing degrees in both physiology and Spanish linguistics allows me to have a deeper connection with my patients today. Living in New York City as a physician, it is crucial for me to be able to communicate with people from all backgrounds – particularly the Latino community.”
Beatriz Jimenez-Villanueva
Beatriz Jimenez-Villanueva
M.A. Spanish 2009
Ph.D. Spanish 2015
“Thanks to my education in the Humanities I have reached more than 15 years of experience in international and Study Abroad education in Spain, Chile and the USA.”
Meet Autumn Digaetano-Fedoruk
