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

Choose an emphasis in literature, linguistics, translation & interpretation, or Spanish and Portuguese. Any path allows you to grow your language proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese as well as build a better understanding of the culture behind the language.

Double Major

Spanish and Portuguese collaborates with other units to make it easier for students to graduate with double majors and/or dual degrees. Some courses can count for both degrees, allowing students to complete two majors within four years and be more marketable graduates on the global job market.

Spanish Minor

Supplement your current major with a Spanish minor where you will still build language and cultural skills that are applicable to any profession.

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

Spanish for Business and Economics

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

Understand the meaning of “Pura Vida,” by living like a “Tico” in beautiful Costa Rica.

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
Help local organizations in need in the Tucson area while practicing your Spanish. All levels of Spanish are welcome!
 
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
Help local organizations in need in the Tucson area while practicing your Spanish. All levels of Spanish are welcome!
 

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
CEO | GUADABROAD

“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

We have many great alumni who have gone on to do great things. For example, meet Autum DiGaetano-Fedoruk, Head of Corporate Strategy at Blue Apron. Autumn attributes success in her career directly to her time studying Spanish with us. 

Want to learn more about studying Spanish?