Spanish
Open your eyes to a world of cultures
With a degree in Spanish from Alfred University, you'll be equipped to enter and contribute to the many diverse cultures in a vast worldwide marketplace immediately upon graduation. Get an edge on the competition and stand out from peers with a similar plan of study. Our challenging program is designed to provide small, interactive classes where students integrate communication skills with cultural exploration. Here, you'll become a world traveler -- not a tourist.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202 or equivalent)
Required Courses:
- SPAN 301 Advanced Conversation and Composition
- SPAN 311 Peninsular Culture and Literature I
- SPAN 312 Peninsular Culture and Literature II
- SPAN 315 Latin American Culture and Literature I
- SPAN 316 Latin American Culture and Literature II
- SPAN 360 Literary Theory Seminar
Elective Courses:
- SPAN 400 Topics in Hispanic Literature
- SPAN 402 Readings in Modern Latin American Literature
- SPAN 404 Latinos/as in the United States
- SPAN 450 Independent Study
Spanish majors must complete a capstone exam given by the division.
It is expected that Spanish majors will pursue some independent study, although not strictly required.
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the major in Spanish, as well as the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences general education requirements, you'll be required to complete the College's First Year Experience Program or Transfer Student Program.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 101, 102, 201, or equivalent)
- SPAN 301 Advanced Conversation and Composition
- SPAN 311 Peninsular Culture and Literature I
or SPAN 312 Peninsular Culture and Literature II - SPAN 315 Latin American Culture and Literature I
or SPAN 316 Latin American Culture and Literature II - SPAN 360 Literary Theory Seminar
Choose 4 credit hours from*:
- LING 120 Introduction to Linguistics
- SPAN 202 Spanish IV
*Or any of the Elective Courses listed below:
- SPAN 400 Topics in Hispanic Literature
- SPAN 402 Readings in Modern Latin American Literature
- SPAN 404 Latinos/as in the United States
- SPAN 450 Independent Study
Who needs to take the Placement Exam?
- Students who have taken more than two years of a language in high school and who intend to take the same language at AU must take the exam.
- Students who are bilingual or native speakers of the language they wish to take or who have spoken the language at home.
- Students do not need to take the exam if they did not study a language previously or if they are planning to take a different language in college.
Exams are given in French, German and Spanish. Results will be posted for the Advisors only on Banner under Test Scores. Students cannot access their own scores.
Procedure to Demonstrate Proficiency in a Language other than French, German and Spanish:
- Register with FLATS, Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service, through Brigham Young University
- Pay the Fee
- Schedule your exam with the Division of Modern Languages Chair who will serve as Proctor
Once you have obtained test scores from Banner, please use the following guidelines for registration:
- 0 - 200 You should start with the first semester course (101)
- 201-400 You should start in the second semester of the language (102)
- 401-600 You should start in the third semester course (201)
- Students who have completed the foreign language requirement are encouraged to continue their foreign language studies. Please contact any faculty member or the office of Modern Languages for guidance choosing which level would be most appropriate.
- Please Note: To be considered for membership in Phi Beta Kappa students must have, among other qualifications, demonstrated intermediate proficiency in a foreign language through 200-level coursework or scoring 80% on the language placement exam.
International Students:
Foreign Language Requirement Waiver Request Policy and Form
Modern Languages - Online Course Policy
General Education Foreign Language Competency (III)
The Division of Modern Languages does not accept courses taken online for transfer credit in fulfillment of the General Education Foreign Language Competency (III). The position of the Division of Modern Languages regarding courses taken online is based upon the National Standards for Language Learning as delineated by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). In exceptional circumstances, the Division of Modern Languages may choose to review this policy on a case by case basis.
Knowledge of a foreign language can be a major advantage as you pursue career opportunities in a variety of fields. While many language students are interested in teaching or translating, others use their language skills in areas as diverse as international business, journalism or environmental studies. Alfred University provides students with the flexibility to combine a major or minor in modern languages with other disciplines, or to enhance a major in other divisions with a basic proficiency in French, German, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Chinese or Spanish.
Recent examples include:
- Web Developer – Left-click
- Teacher – Kennedy Bi-Lingual School
- Project Management and Planning – Northrop Grumman IT
- Proofreader – Intekras, Inc.
- ESL Teacher – JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching) Program
- Volunteer – Peace Corps
- Spanish Teacher – Corning-Painted Post Central School
- French Teacher/Spanish Teacher – Wellsville Central School
- Marketing Analyst – Control Risk, Inc.
- Personnel Coordinator – Employment Trends
- Assistant to Portfolio Manager – Fiduciary Trust Company International
- Legal Assistant – Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP
- English Language Instructor – Academie de Lyon
Student Stories
Communication & Global Studies Applied to a Military Career
"Alfred is what you make it. If you want to be adventurous and try new things, there is always someone willing to share their experiences at every corner."
Similar Programs
If you're interested in our Spanish major or minor, you should consider either double majoring or minoring in the following related programs: