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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Study Spanish

Gain the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge you need to help cultivate an interconnected world. Consider a bachelor's degree in Spanish to expand your perspective.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Program Type

Major

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem Campus

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MyWillamette
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Our Spanish Major & Minor

Whether you're new to the Spanish language or a native speaker, you'll find endless opportunities to grow. You’ll learn about the diverse Spanish-speaking cultures of Latin America, Spain, and the United States. This program is more than a Spanish language major. Explore the literature, culture, and history of Spanish speakers around the world.

Why choose Spanish at Willamette?

  • Combine language, written works, and culture. We examine society through literature, linguistics, and influence. Become fluent in Spanish while understanding the lifestyles, customs, and traditions of Spanish-speaking communities.
  • Explore the Spanish-speaking world. Consider expanding your knowledge through a study abroad program. Explore options in Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, and Spain to further your education.
  • Build connections outside the classroom. Consider joining student groups such as Spanish Club or Alianza. Join Spanish Department events or find the right internship through Career Services.

Schedule a Visit

Alumni Stories

Our alumni have worked at companies like Aruba, Edelman Public Relations, and the Portland Timbers. They've become teachers and they've pursued graduate programs. Learn how our alumni are making an impact.

  • Nancy Garcia ’08, MBA’10

    Leading Global DEI Initiatives at Amazon Web Services
    Nancy Garcia, leveraging insights from her education at Willamette University, spearheads global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Amazon Web Services, driving cultural awareness and fostering inclusivity across regions.

    Two people looking at a laptop, with one pointing at the screen.
  • Professional portrait of a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a red top, against a dark grey background.

    Elizabeth Guzman Ljubetic '14

    From Willamette to Global HR Partner
    Elizabeth Guzman Ljubetic ’14, leveraging her education from Willamette University, excels as a human resources business partner. She currently works at Aruba, a Hewlett-Packard Enterprise company, fostering connections across the globe.

Spanish Faculty

Our award-winning faculty have published research and offer a wide array of knowledge about culture, language, and literature. Connect through small class sizes or collaborate on research projects to deepen your understanding.

  • Meet Professor Blanco-Arnejo

    Dr. Mario Blanco-Arnejo is a dedicated educator in Spanish and Latin American studies. Her commitment to enhancing language education and cross-cultural understanding has earned her two Fulbright Awards for teaching.

    Headshot of Dr. Mario Blanco-Arnejo

  • Meet Professor Overstreet

    Dr. April Overstreet specializes in contemporary Spanish fiction, particularly works by women authors. Her extensive research enriches her courses, which span Spanish language and literature.

    Headshot of Dr. April Overstreet

Curriculum

Advance your skills beyond beginner and intermediate Spanish. Study Spanish writing, Latin American cinema, and cultural institutions. Learn about grammar composition or speak Spanish fluently with others. Our bachelor's degree in Spanish will ensure students have the skills they need to use their knowledge in their day-to-day lives.

  • SPAN 340 Introduction to Spanish Literature

    Immerse yourself in Spanish literature, mastering literary analysis through engaging texts in narrative, poetry, and drama. Enhance your skills with hands-on learning, a term paper, and lively class participation—all conducted in Spanish.

  • SPAN 430 History of Hispanic Thought

    Explore the profound influence of the Spanish mind on Latin America and its relationship with the United States. Dive into art history, mysticism, philosophy, politics, sociology, and psychology, all discussed in Spanish.

Program Requirements

Our Spanish major requires 32 semester hours to complete the degree. These hours will be comprised of 12 semester hours of core courses, semester hours in Spanish literature, and 8 additional semester hours in Spanish numbered 300 or above.

Students pursuing a Spanish minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Spanish courses.

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Admissions Information

Our Spanish program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Spanish majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

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FAQs

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Spanish