Skip to main content
    Admissions Overview
    Find all the information you need about applying to our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Start your application to Willamette here.
Pre-College Programs
Admitted Students
Enrolling Students
New Student Orientation
    Cost & Aid Overview
    Get the latest information about tuition costs and financial aid opportunities available to Willamette students.
Tuition & Fees
    Academics Overview
    Learn more about our academic programs – from courses and faculty to unique opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
All Programs and Degrees
Advising Resources
Library
    Life on Campus Overview
    Get a feel for life at Willamette. Learn more about Salem, our campus culture, and how we foster a sense of community.
Learning in the Pacific Northwest
Athletics
Diversity at Willamette
Health and Wellness
Housing and Dining
Arts
Campus Recreation
Events
Commencement
Safety
    Our Stories
    We’re proud of the difference our students and alumni are making. Dive into the stories of how they’re leading in their fields and transforming knowledge into meaningful action.
Athletics
Arts
Big Data
Climate Change
Democratic Institutions
Interdisciplinary Studies
Regional Impact
Request Info Visit Apply Give
About News Events Alumni Parents Athletics The Arts Academic Calendar

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, Minor

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem

Request Info
Department Info
Two students sitting in class at a table.

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

Request Information

Do you have questions about the Spanish Studies program at Willamette? Fill out this form and we'll get in touch!

Loading...

Student Success

First generation student Nancy Garcia BA '08 discovered her passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through her courses at Willamette. Her commitment to DEI helped her land a number of roles and eventually led to a career supporting others.

Nancy's Story

Building diversity and inclusivity into the global workforce

Nancy was among the first people hired in DEI roles at Amazon Web Services in Portland. In her role, she develops and implements processes to incorporate DEI values into training and resources for employees. She is also tasked with accounting for regional and cultural differences.

View Story
Nancy Garcia
Nancy Garcia
Nancy found a support system at Willamette through student-led groups including Alianza and Hawaii Club. As she progressed further into her academic journey, she took on leadership roles in student groups that helped her build connections and leadership skills.

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Curious where this major can take you? These are the real internships, graduate opportunities, and careers our Spanish studies students have gone on to.

  • A group of Willamette students studying abroad in Spain

    Internships

    • Multnomah County
    • Oregon Health Authority
    • Oregon Health and Sciences University
    • Passion Impact, Inc.
    • Salem Intercultural Cities Organization
    • State of Oregon
  • A Willamette student studying abroad in Spain

    Graduate School Destinations & Employment Outcomes

    • Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
    • Disability Rights Oregon
    • Financial Beginnings
    • Girls, Inc.
    • Linfield University
    • Portland State University
    • Seattle Pacific University
    • Seattle University
    • UC Riverside
    • University of Colorado Boulder
    • University of Oregon
    • University of the Pacific

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.

  • 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.

Introducing Some of Our 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. Maria 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. Maria 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

  • Meet Professor Fonseca

    Dr. Gustavo Fonseca is a dedicated Spanish language professor whose teaching experience emphasizes immersive learning through literature, politics, music, and film. His students benefit from his passion and knowledge about studying abroad.

    Headshot of Gustavo G Fonseca

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 program requires 32 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required 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.

Woman in glasses and a red t-shirt smiling in a classroom or study environment, with bookshelves in the background.

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.

A young man in a black sports jersey holds an open book titled

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 $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

Two students hunched over a book.

FAQs

Willamette University

Spanish