Spanish Major
With more than 600 million speakers globally, and as the official language in 21 countries, Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. You'll learn first-rate oral competency, critical thinking skills, and analytic writing expertise in Spanish to enjoy an edge in an ever-changing job market.
75%
PERCENT OF STUDENTS WHO DOUBLE MAJOR
4
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
18
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE
15
DAYS OF INTENSIVE SUMMER IMMERSION
Total Credit Hours: 120
Grammar, Culture, and Literature Courses (36 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Electives (39 hours)
What You'll Study
The flexibility of the Spanish major will allow you to cater the courses to fit your interests and goals. Over the first three years, you can set specific goals to improve your proficiency level. Take upper-level courses in language, literature, culture, linguistics, translation, business, and oral proficiency. You'll take 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages, including Virginia Tech's Pathways. We offer classes including the following:
- Spanish for Oral Proficiency
- Spanish-American Culture and Literature
- Sounds of Spanish
- Introduction to Spanish Translation
- Spanish for the Medical Professions
- Spanish for the Business Professions
The Spanish Placement Guide will help you select your first Spanish course.
Related Links
What Is a Major in Spanish?
You'll take coursework focused on improving your verbal and written communication skills to master the language. We spotlight Hispanic culture, literature, linguistics, and professional preparation. Our students study business and translation as it relates to the Hispanic community.
Why Study Spanish Here?
Gain unparalleled learning experiences as you participate in internships, research, and study abroad. Learn to adapt to cross-cultural roles throughout your career. You'll graduate with a highly marketable skill and an enriched appreciation of Spanish-American culture.
Beyond the Classroom
Get Involved
Join the chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, which coordinates service projects, events, and Spanish tutoring.
Practice your conversational skills with our Spanish Club during monthly activities and "Hablamos Groups." Learn Flamenco and other Spanish dances by joining Olé at VT. The options are endless.
Summer Courses
Get two weeks of complete Spanish immersion without leaving Virginia. Each summer, you can meet with an intensive class for three hours per day for 15 days. In addition to class time and coursework, you'll participate in our extracurricular activities. You can earn up to six hours of undergraduate or graduate academic credit.
Visit Universities in Spain and Ecuador
El Camino de Santiago
Walk to school through exciting geographical regions of Spain, from the blistering heat of the Meseta Plateau to the refreshing eucalyptus forests of Galicia.
Virginia Tech in Spain
Study at the Estudio Sampere (EIS) in Madrid and be centrally located with access to stores, museums, and restaurants. Each weekend, enjoy cultural tours of Spain.
Ecuador Exchange Program
Spend one or more semesters studying at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Ecuador. You'll be located just outside of the historic capital city of Quito.
Oviedo Exchange Program
Study as an exchange student at the Universidad de Oviedo. Oviedo is a small university town in the northern Spanish community of Asturias.
The Global Education Office will also work with you to consider studying in other countries or programs.
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You can try our free spanish tutoring (available for all speaking levels) through Sigma Delta Pi. Request help learning the language or practicing your conversational skills. To connect with a tutor and schedule a session, contact Sarah Sierra at ssierra2@vt.edu.
What Our Students Are Saying
"The small class sizes within the Spanish department make it possible for students to participate often and receive frequent personalized feedback on their language skills. The Spanish professors make an effort to get to know their students on an individual basis and are willing to go the extra mile to advise them on matters ranging from studying abroad to finding jobs in their fields where they can use their Spanish skills."
—Christine Freund, '17
"The Spanish major has helped me relate to many different people and gave me the opportunity to study in Spain to experience the culture firsthand."
—Michelle Arroyo, '17
“My study abroad experience in Argentina completely transformed me and impacted my life in unimaginable ways. After graduation, I was afforded the once-in-a-life-time opportunity to go to Guam for an assignment. I am part of a group charged with the task of responding to natural disasters and other 'contingencies' in the Pacific arena. We send teams to build temporary air-bases to provide humanitarian relief when our international partners appeal for assistance.”
—Kat Rew, '14
Careers and Further Study
Keri Butterfield, '11
Keri works at The Nielsen Company where she works closely with The Kroger Company's Multicultural Department. Her experience with Virginia Tech's Spanish major helped prepare her for current responsibilities, including analyzing Hispanic Focus Groups. While at Virginia Tech, she majored in Spanish and marketing, earned a minor in international studies, and studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain.
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Amanda Perry, '10
After graduating with majors in Spanish and Psychology, she taught high school Spanish for four years. She is currently teaching English as a Second Language in an elementary school in Virginia. Majoring in Spanish gave her the tools to teach in a language immersion program and be the Spanish communication liaison between the school and parents and the community.
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Jessica Earl ‘10
After earning her degree in Spanish and International Studies with a minor in Business, Jessica went on to study law at Tulane University in New Orleans ('13). Following law school, Jessica worked as a bilingual associate attorney at a large law firm in Puerto Rico. Currently she is the Executive at Great Bay Global, an oil and energy trading company located in San Juan.
Kristin Sorenson, '14
After earning double majors in Spanish and communication from Virginia Tech in 2014, Kristin put Ut Prosim into action and went on to serve as a Program Director for a non-profit, Manna Project International, in Quito, Ecuador. Kristin leads programs while working with the language department at the Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (Escuela Politecnica del Ejercito) and with the local branch of the United Nations Peacekeepers.
Alan P. Campbell, '06
After graduating with a Spanish major, Alan served in the U.S. military overseas. He received a master's degree in translation and interpreting in 2012, and he is currently finishing a Ph.D. in translation. He works as the U.S. Consular Agent for the State Department in Spain and as a translator and interpreter for the U.S. Department of Defense in Madrid.
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Anna Bolton, '07
Anna participated in study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica during her time at Virginia Tech. She also took a service-learning class called Crossing the Border Through Service-Learning, which allowed her to work with Latino families in the New River Valley. These experiences prepared her for her current role as the Education and Language Coordinator for the Cleveland Indians after she spent time the translator for the Spanish-speaking players.
Libby Ebeling, '19
While studying Spanish and Public and Urban Affairs, Libby traveled to Spain as part of the VT Camino study abroad trip. She practiced her language skills, which prepared her to work as an English teaching assistant in Mexico as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Katherine Louis, '19
While studying Spanish, with minors in Arabic, Japanese, and International Studies, Katherine interned in the Office of Students Affairs developing programs for international students and medicinal global outreach. This experience led her to a position with Cranwell International Center at Virginia Tech. She plans to pursue a Master’s in International Law.
Grace Stevens, '21
While at Virginia Tech, Grace spent summers interning with the United States House of Representatives and studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. She is now pursuing her J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law and hopes to pursue a career as an international intellectual property lawyer.
Megan Harrell, '22
Megan studied abroad with the VT in Spain program. Through guided tours of ancient cathedrals and fortifications, she was able to learn about Spain's history and culture. Megan is using the Spanish skills she developed through the immersive experience as a bi-lingual internal communications specialist.
What do I do with a major in Spanish?
With Spanish being the official language in 21 countries, your options are limitless. Your skills will be sought-after as you communicate with some of the world's 400 million native speakers in a variety of fields including business, government, education, tourism, and science. Recent graduates have jobs including:
- FBI Linguist
- Publishing Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Translator or Interpreter
- Teacher
- Professor
- Hospitality and Tourism Manager
- Foreign Services Officer
- Foreign Correspondent
- Cultural Events Liaison
- International Exchange Trader
- International Banking Officer
Our graduates also earn graduate or professional degrees in Hispanic studies, law, business, education, and medicine.
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