Spanish Language Program

Reasons for the Spanish Studies Program:

  • Spanish is the native tongue of approximately 300 million people.
  • Exploring the traditions of another country gives you fresh insight into your own culture and way of life.
  • The country in which there are the most Spanish speaking people is Mexico, with about 100 million. Spain is second with 40 million, followed by Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, all with over 20 million inhabitants.
  • The U.S. is the world's sixth largest Spanish speaking country with 19 million people.
  • Spanish is also spoken on many islands of the Caribbean and in other areas of the world, such as the Philippines.
  • The rise of Spanish speakers in the U.S. during the last decade has created a tremendous job market for people fluent in Spanish and English, ranging from teaching to marketing. The U.S. Hispanic population grew from 14.5 to 18.8 million between 1980-1987.
  • In areas of the South and Southwest the ability to communicate bilingually has become a necessity for all sorts of everyday interpersonal transactions.

Checklist for Majors
Checklist for Minors
Checklist for Business Concentration
Spanish Writing Manual includes correction symbols

Study and Work Abroad:

  • There are opportunities for students of Spanish to study in Puebla, Mexico; Valladolid, Spain and many other Spanish speaking countries throughout the world. For further information, please contact the Office of International Education here at UWL (uwlworld@uwlax.edu).
  • Through ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) you can study Spanish virtually anywhere in the world. Visit the International Education Web page.
  • Summer programs are also available in various countries.

Course of Study:

  • Earn a major in Spanish (29-30 credits) by studying:
    • conversation, composition, grammar, civilization, literature, and phonetics. For the exact requirements, visit the SPANISH MAJOR/MINOR page.
  • Earn a Spanish major (29-30 credits) with a Concentration in Business Administration (24 credits) by studying:
    • conversation, composition, grammar, business Spanish, civilization, phonetics, literature, accounting, economics, finance, marketing,
    • Also recommended are computer science and upper level economics and math. For the exact requirements, visit the SPANISH MAJOR/MINOR page.
  • Earn a minor in Spanish (18 credits) by studying:
    • conversation, composition, grammar, civilization, and phonetics.
    • For the exact requirements, visit the SPANISH MAJOR/MINOR page.
  • Students may also elect to complete the International Studies minor with an emphasis in Latin American studies.
  • There are various extracurricular activities offered, eg. the Club de Español. Also participate in conversation hour and attend Hispanic Night. UW-La Crosse has a chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national honor society for students of Spanish.