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We have 11 full-time Spanish faculty members, which includes four professors dedicated to teaching and researching Hispanic linguistics.
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Become a skilled intercultural communicator. Spanish at the University of St. Thomas provides a value-based curriculum designed to expand your understanding and empathy for other cultures. You enhance your knowledge of the Spanish language while learning about the culture, history, literature and linguistics of the Spanish-speaking world.
Why Study Spanish at St. Thomas?
Our program nurtures your Spanish language skills while you gain an appreciation of the cultural and linguistic differences of the Spanish-speaking world, ultimately learning to think and communicate across cultures. Our graduates become bilingual professionals that lead fulfilling careers in a variety of industries, such as education, translation, government, public service, law and medicine.
Bilingual and Multicultural
Course Requirements
You complete a minimum of 32 credits of advanced Spanish courses, with a Spanish major requiring a sequence of 12 credits consisting of SPAN 300, SPAN 301 and SPAN 305. For the remaining 20 credits, you complete advanced courses in either Spanish cultural and literary studies or Spanish linguistics and applied language studies concentrations.
Four-Year Plan
We recommend scheduling an appointment with a faculty member early in your academic career to develop an individualized study plan and discuss internships, community engagement, grants and study abroad opportunities.
Sample degree plan for students starting at SPAN 211Sample degree plan for students starting at SPAN 300
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish – Spanish Cultural and Literary Studies concentration
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish – Spanish Linguistics and Applied Language Studies concentration
- Minor in Spanish
Scholarships
Various scholarships are awarded for study abroad in Spain and Latin America. Visit the Office of Study Abroad website for more information.
Community Engagement
Various faculty members incorporate service learning into their courses, working alongside community partners such as Risen Christ Catholic School, People Serving People, and CLUES.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You complete a minimum of 32 credits of advanced Spanish courses, with a Spanish major requiring a sequence of 12 credits consisting of SPAN 300, SPAN 301 and SPAN 305. For the remaining 20 credits, you complete advanced courses in either Spanish cultural and literary studies or Spanish linguistics and applied language studies concentrations.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
We recommend scheduling an appointment with a faculty member early in your academic career to develop an individualized study plan and discuss internships, community engagement, grants and study abroad opportunities.
Sample degree plan for students starting at SPAN 211Sample degree plan for students starting at SPAN 300
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish – Spanish Cultural and Literary Studies concentration
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish – Spanish Linguistics and Applied Language Studies concentration
- Minor in Spanish
Scholarships
Scholarships
Various scholarships are awarded for study abroad in Spain and Latin America. Visit the Office of Study Abroad website for more information.
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Various faculty members incorporate service learning into their courses, working alongside community partners such as Risen Christ Catholic School, People Serving People, and CLUES.
It's More Than Studying the Language
Our faculty, students and alumni are applying their language and cultural knowledge on a daily basis in a variety of settings.
Dr. Sonia Rey-Montejo
Dr. Rey-Montejo infuses intercultural learning in all of her courses. From Spanish language classes to literary and cultural studies of Latin America, her teaching is informed by her research on race, gender, identity and social inequality in the Caribbean and Latin America. Her J-term study abroad courses take students to places like Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Argentina and the Dominican Republic.
Megan Trenda ‘07
Megan double majored in Spanish and secondary education with a teaching license in K-12 world Languages and cultures. While at St. Thomas, Megan spent a semester studying abroad in Madrid with IES, along with two J-terms in South America with the VISION program. She became a teacher upon graduating from St. Thomas, but took a leave from teaching in 2010 to obtain a master’s degree in Spanish from Middlebury College in Madrid. Megan now teaches at Minnetonka High School.
Sadie Buckel ‘19
Sadie, an honors student, majored in Spanish and international business. She travelled to nine countries throughout her undergraduate career at St. Thomas, including a semester abroad in Seville, Spain. She honed her leadership skills while on-campus by participating in Undergraduate Student Government, Tommie Ambassadors, Student Alumni Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassadors and now works as an Elections Administrator for the Ramsey County Elections Department.
Career Paths
You have a wide variety of careers available to you with a Spanish degree.
- Law
- Medicine
- Education
- Public policy
- Interpreting
- International business
Diverse Knowledge and Skills
You gain a variety of skills in our program, as well as a wealth of knowledge deepening your appreciation for other cultures.
Advanced Studies
Our graduates have gone to pursue graduate studies in medicine, law, business, education and more.
Intercultural
Our program will connect you with Hispanic intellectual traditions and culture throughout your time at St. Thomas.
Faculty With Real Experience
Dr. Irene Domingo
Dr. Domingo researches the transition to democracy in Spain.
Dr. Paola Ehrmantraut
Dr. Ehrmantraut specializes in Latin American literature and culture.
Dr. Donny Vigil
Dr. Vigil teaches courses focusing on Spanish language and linguistics.
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club hosts bi-weekly Spanish conversation events, lectures, discussions and cultural experiences, engaging with Hispanic traditions in the Twin Cities.
Collaborate
Our faculty have collaborated with the Minnesota Cuba Committee and the Cuban Embassy in D.C., and recently hosted the talk "A Look to U.S.-Cuban Relations: Past, Present, and Desired Future" with Miguel Fraga, first Secretary of the Cuban Embassy.
A Plethora of Opportunities
Spanish students have a host of opportunities available to them through their career at St. Thomas.
See the World
Our faculty lead J-term programs to Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, Spain and the Dominican Republic. Plus, most of our Spanish majors and minors study abroad for a J-term or semester. They choose from programs in Spain and various areas in Latin America.
Get Connected Locally
Our faculty involve students in research projects, as well as service learning courses in collaboration with local community organizations.
We Have Your Back
You will receive attentive tutoring and conversation practice from our Fulbright language assistants hailing from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries.
It's an Honor
We participate in Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.