Department of World Languages and Literatures
Spanish Degree
Major
BUILD EXPERTISE AND OPEN DOORS WITH A UW-STEVENS POINT DEGREE IN SPANISH
Becoming bilingual means seeing the world through more than one lens; a skill that can help you in many areas. Learning Spanish helps speakers of English broaden their vocabulary in their native language. In addition, a recognition and understanding of words of Latin origin is especially helpful in certain professions in science, medicine, law, and many others with specialized vocabulary.
Approximately 350 million people worldwide speak Spanish as a native language. It is the second most spoken language in the world in terms of native speakers, after Mandarin Chinese. Spanish is the third most commonly used language on the Internet. The number of Spanish speakers is growing at a faster rate than that of English speakers. For these reasons and more, consider pursuing a Spanish degree.
Why study Spanish at UW-Stevens Point?
It is possible to maintain almost daily contact with native Spanish speakers in many cities or even in rural areas. The nation is becoming even more diverse: More than one third of its population belongs to a minority group, and Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment.
Study Abroad Opportunities
In conjunction with International Programs, The Department of Foreign Languages offers two study abroad opportunities for Spanish students: 1) a 10 week summer program in Oaxaca, Mexico; 2) spring semester in Valladolid, Spain. A study abroad program gives you the opportunity to improve your language skills tremendously at the same time as having the experience of a lifetime living and traveling in another country.
Spanish Culture
Pursuing a Spanish degree helps you to gain access to a wealth of Spanish art, music, literature and film. You can learn more about the works of great artists like Pablo Picasso and read masterpieces like Don Quixote in Spanish. In addition to opening up access to areas of “high” culture such as art, literature, and history, learning another language opens many doors to meeting new people that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
The ability to speak Spanish is a valuable skill in today’s job market. The Spanish-speaking population is one of the fasting growing segments in the world, especially in the United States. The Hispanic market is today the most rapidly expanding market in the United States. Hispanic consumers have become a driving force in the largest national markets, including southern and northern California, New York, Chicago, Florida, Texas, and others. Marketing studies show that the majority of Hispanics prefer to make buying decisions in Spanish. Not surprisingly, there are many career fields in the U.S. that need Spanish speakers and the broader skills that come with a Spanish degree.
Learning Spanish helps speakers of English broaden their vocabulary in their native language. In addition, a recognition and understanding of words of Latin origin is especially helpful in certain professions in science, medicine, law, and many others with specialized vocabulary.
Students who fluently speak a world language, study abroad and build expertise in a second field develop promising career opportunities. Some develop careers as international marketers, bilingual customer service representatives or international account auditors. World languages students who earn teacher certification have close to a 100 percent job-placement rate.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
A number of student organizations exist for UW-Stevens Point students to develop their world language skills, including Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and Spanish Club. UW-Stevens Point is host to the Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of American, a progressive and viable humanitarian service organization actively implementing and administering programs in Nicaragua. The non-profit operates out of Nelson Hall and has many volunteer opportunities available.
More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).
Renée Craig-Odders
- Professor of Spanish
- Basic Second Language Proficiency certificate director
Sara Williams
- ESL Lecturer, World Languages and Literatures
- Office of International Education
715-346-3036
School of Humanities and Global Studies