Spanish Degree

Explore the Spanish degree program

Imagine yourself traveling the world and communicating with people who speak another language. With an education in the Spanish language and culture, you can unlock the door to hundreds of opportunities. Not only will you be able to visit a Spanish-speaking country and understand the culture and what people are saying, but you’ll also become well-prepared to work with Spanish speakers right here in the United States.

As America becomes more diverse every day, careers such as education, business, government, health, counseling, and law enforcement are in high demand of bilingual communicators.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Prepare for your future

Opportunities and outcomes

Spanish topics covered

Grammar and structure of the Spanish language
Aural understanding and conversation skills in Spanish
Advanced grammar, reading, and writing in Spanish
Historical, political, geographical, and economic study of Spain or Spanish America
Hispanic groups of the U.S.
Spanish and Latin American literature

Student learning outcomes

Demonstrate Spanish language communication skills in a work or social environment.
Use the grammatical structure and lexicon of Spanish.
Identify key historical events, literary figures, and popular cultural elements that are part of the Hispanic heritage.
Demonstrate critical-thinking skills in written analyses of Spanish-language literary texts.
Identify the intersection between Hispanic literatures/films and the discourses of class, ethnicity, human rights, religion, violence, traditions, gender, and sexuality.

Cultural events

Join in the fun and help promote events such as Foreign Language Day, Dia de los Muertos festivities, picnics, field trips, and movie nights.

Spanish internships

Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find Spanish internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:

Michael Foods
Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership
Pender Medical Clinic

Career services and internships

Graduates of the Spanish degree program work in their chosen field using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, eager employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Jobs of recent graduates:

Customer Service Representative – Firstmark Services (Lincoln, Neb.)
Retirement Specialist – Retirement Plan Consultants (Norfolk, Neb.)
Staffing Specialist – Select Staffing (Boise, Idaho)
State Trooper – Nebraska State Patrol (Grand Island, Neb.)
TEFL/ESL Instructor and Administrative Assistant – Idioma Internacional (Costa Rica)

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

After graduating from Wayne State College, recent grads pursued advanced degrees at the following schools:

English Education (MSE) – Wayne State College (Wayne, Neb.)
Occupational Therapy (MOT) – Nebraska Methodist College (Omaha, Neb.)
School Psychology (Ed.S.) – University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, Colo.)

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Spanish major (30 credit hours)

Credits: 3
Description: Grammar review and advanced presentation of the structure of the language, stressing aural understanding, conversation skills, reading and writing.
Prerequisite: One year of college Spanish, or equivalent knowledge
Credits: 3
Description: Continuation of SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I
Prerequisite: SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I, or equivalent knowledge
Credits: 3
Description: A course designed to introduce advanced study of grammatical structure and a practical application of grammar in composition.
Prerequisite: SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I, SPA 220 Intermediate Spanish II, or instructor permission
Take one of the following courses:
- SPA 301 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3 credits) - A survey of literary movements in Spanish and Latin American literature: readings in drama, fiction, and poetry; grammar review.
- SPA 302 Spanish-American Civilization (3 credits) - A historical, political, philosophical, geographical, and economic study of Spanish America.
- SPA 303 Hispanics in the United States (3 credits) - This course is a survey of various aspects of the Hispanic experience in the United States today. Students will focus on three major Hispanic groups: Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, and Puerto Ricans.
Take one of the following courses:
- SPA 316 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3 credits) - A survey of literary movements in Spanish and Latin American literature: readings in drama, fiction, and poetry; grammar review.
- SPA 317 Spanish Literature (3 credits) - A survey of Spanish Literature from medieval times to the present.
- SPA 333 Survey of Spanish American Literature (3 credits) - A survey of Spanish-American literature from colonial times to the present.
- SPA 335 Special Topics in Spanish Literature (3 credits) - Detailed study of a particular aspect of an author, movement, genre, historical, period, or topic of general relevance in Spanish literature.
- SPA 337 Special Topics in Spanish-American Literature (3 credits) - Detailed study of a particular aspect of an author, genre, historical period, or topic of general relevance in Spanish-American literature.
Choose 12 credit hours from the following courses. At least 9 of the 12 credit hours must be SPA prefix courses:
- CNA 467 Intercultural Communication (3 credits) - A course aimed at developing a thorough understanding of communication and culture, in both global and community settings, and the way members of diverse cultures and subcultures utilize unique systems, symbols and media representation to communicate among themselves and other groups. Emphasis on media representation of minority groups and U.S. sponsored health/public welfare campaigns in developing nations will enable students to critically assess the communication process in a cultural context.
- ENG 270 Critical Approaches to Literature (3 credits) - Study of a variety of analytical and interpretive approaches to the study of literature in print and non-print media. This course provides an introduction to the English major in which the English program goals are communicated.
- ENG 384 World Literature (by advisement, 3 credits) - This course examines works from literary canons and traditions world-wide. This course may treat a common theme across various cultures; focus on a particular time period, culture, or genre; or compare and contrast texts from two or more countries.
- GEO 370 Geography of Latin America (3 credits) - A regional survey of Latin America in terms of its physical environment, history, culture, economic development, political systems, and demographic trends.
- HIS 423 History of Spain, 1469-Present (3 credits) - This course is a discussion-oriented seminar on the history of Spain and its empire, focusing particularly on how the experience of Spain both reflects and departs from the general European experience. The intersection of religion, politics, and culture will be considered, especially as they relate to regional, national, and ethnic identity. The course will also introduce students to a variety of recent trends in the study of Spanish history.
- SPA 301 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3 credits) - A survey of literary movements in Spanish and Latin American literature: readings in drama, fiction, and poetry; grammar review.
- SPA 302 Spanish-American Civilization (3 credits) - A historical, political, philosophical, geographical, and economic study of Spanish America.
- SPA 303 Hispanics in the United States (3 credits) - This course is a survey of various aspects of the Hispanic experience in the United States today. Students will focus on three major Hispanic groups: Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, and Puerto Ricans.
- SPA 304 Spanish for Business (3 credits) - A course designed to improve students’ knowledge of business concepts and documents, Spanish business terminology and correspondence. Prerequisite:SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I.
- SPA 306 Spanish for Health Professionals (3 credits) - Some knowledge of Spanish helpful. A course designed to teach vocabulary and concepts for communicating with Spanish-speaking clientele in a variety of healthcare settings. Useful for those studying to become doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, or other health professionals.
- SPA 307 Conversation and Composition (3 credits) - Practice in speaking, understanding, and writing Spanish. Activities are designed to develop oral and written skills necessary for upper-level coursework. Prerequisite: SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I or equivalent.
- SPA 315 Spanish Translation (3 credits) - A general study of translation in Spanish with intensive translating practice in several professional areas.
- SPA 316 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3 credits) - A survey of literary movements in Spanish and Latin American literature: readings in drama, fiction, and poetry; grammar review.
- SPA 317 Spanish Literature (3 credits) - A survey of Spanish Literature from medieval times to the present.
- SPA 333 Survey of Spanish American Literature (3 credits) - A survey of Spanish-American literature from colonial times to the present.
- SPA 340/440/540 Special Topics (2-3 credits) - Detailed study of a particular aspect of the language, an author, movement, genre, historical period, or topic of general relevance in the Spanish cultures. Graduate credit may be granted after fulfillment of special course requirements. When the course is scheduled with a General Studies number, the lectures and readings will be in English. This course may be repeated once at each level covering a different topic with permission of instructor.

Popular pairings

Many students at Wayne State will add a second major or a minor to complement their program of study, or to focus their studies on a specific topic. Students who recently majored in Spanish at Wayne State also paired this major with one or more of the following programs:

Business Administration (minor)
Construction Management (major or minor)
Criminal Justice (major or minor)
Health Sciences
Human Services (major or minor)
International Studies (minor)
Pre-Law (minor)

View all majors and minors

Related programs

Students interested in the Spanish program may also be interested in:

Spanish Education (B.A.)

I was so grateful WSC offered a Spanish degree. I am bilingual, but when I was younger, they didn’t offer Spanish classes in my elementary school. So, I wasn’t completely fluent in Spanish. Then in high school, they taught Spanish online, but it wasn’t the same. I was scared of losing my first language; however, WSC gave me the chance to improve it even more. With my degree, I aspire to be a social worker in immigration services. There are many individuals who only speak Spanish, and with my degree, I will be able to assist them to their needs in Nebraska.

Ruth Yuman

Madison, Nebraska

Majors: Spanish, Criminal Justice