expand your horizons....pursue a major or minor in Spanish
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” ⎯Frank Smith, British psycholinguist
Develop Desirable Skills
It has been shown that bilinguals are more versatile and have skills that employer’s desire. A bilingual's vocabulary is greater than a monolingual’s, which allows for greater communications skills, another trait desired by employers. Bilinguals are more analytical, better multitaskers, and less distracted by unnecessary information — highly desirable traits for any career. In addition, did you know that bilingual brains are actually more resistant to the development of Alzheimer’s, with up to four years later onset?
highly qualified, welcoming professors
- Dr. Tyler Anderson, Teacher Education, Linguistics, Language Acquisition
- Dr. Laura Muñoz, Translation, Interpreting, Health Care Spanish, Literature
- Dr. Cecilia Battauz, Literature, History and Culture
Amazing Instructors
- Professor Blake Crossley, Introductory and Intermediate Spanish
- Professor Sofía León, Introductory and Intermediate Spanish
All professors active in their field and in the community.
Increase Opportunities
With a major or minor in Spanish, you have more opportunities to work, both in the United States and abroad. Our graduates are working in law enforcement, social work, banking, teaching and health. Others have worked in Europe and South America as cultural ambassadors and educators. They have all expanded their horizons by majoring or minoring in Spanish.
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” -Charlemagne, VII Century Holy Roman Emperor
Internships
On Campus:
Human Resources
- Translation of HR docs
- Some interpretation with campus employees
- Paid
Off campus
Blue Stars Mothers
- Translation of organization docs
- Website translation
- Interpretation for events
- Education for education volunteers
- 1 credit
- Paid
Shadowing court interpreters
- Shadowing working court interpreters
- Paid
- Potential of translation of court documents
- Potential interpreting of off-record client interactions
District 51
- Potential of paid work translating and interpreting
Museums of Western Colorado
- Translation of exhibit materials
- Training in graphic design for exhibits
- Possibility of payment (collaboration with Work Force)
Study Abroad
The Spanish program at Colorado Mesa University offers numerous opportunities to study abroad. From Costa Rica to Spain, from Argentina to Honduras, our students have taken advantage of these opportunities to expand their horizons by immersing themselves in the Spanish language and cultures.
In the summer of 2022 we took a group of 24 students to Córdoba, Spain for a 5-week exchange, living with host families and taking classes at the Universidad de Córdoba. The agreement we have with UCO is one of only two such agreements that CMU has with foreign universities.
Summer 2024
Dra. Muñoz and Dr. Anderson are currently planning to take a group of 27 students back to Córdoba. If you are interested in more information, please give Dra. Muñoz your contact information.
DID YOU KNOW...
…that employers are looking for graduates with flexibility?
…that having a minor in Spanish makes you more flexible and marketable in this globalized world?
Develop Language Skills
Our program is designed for both the native and non-native speaker of Spanish. If you already know the language, we invite you to expand your horizons by exploring in depth the histories, cultures, grammar, vocabulary, and literatures of the Spanish-speaking world. Learn how to give polished presentations and how to write professionally in Spanish. Consider all the possibilities of mastering the Spanish language.
Concentrations
majors
- Spanish & Hispanic Studies (42 credits in Spanish)
- Secondary Teaching (42 credits in Spanish + Courses that lead to state licensure through Center for Teaching Education)
- Honors 9 of the 42 credits taken in honors (normal classwork with a special assignment per class) plus a project to promote Spanish in the community
minor
- 21 credits, beginning at FLAS 213: Spanish Conversation and Grammar
The Minor: Flexible Courses
At seven classes (21 credits) and flexible course offerings, getting a minor in Spanish easily combines with most majors. By taking one course a semester during your college career, you will earn a minor that will set you apart from your fellow classmates. Whether you are in Criminal Justice, Business, Social Work, Health Sciences, Teacher Education, Sociology, Psychology, Biology, History or any other major, a minor in Spanish will help expand your horizons.
you can earn more than one minor at CMU
Major In Hispanic Studies
42 credits, beginning at FLAS 300.
- FLAS 300: Spanish Composition and Grammar
- FLAS 304: Advanced Oral Production and Composition
- FLAS 305: Advanced Spanish Grammar and Spanish English Contrasts
- FLAS 311: History and Culture of Spain
- FLAS 312: History and Culture of Latin America
- FLAS 323/324: Introduction to Hispanic Literature I and II
- FLAS 341: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
- FLAS 424: Advanced Hispanic Literature (can be taken more than once)
- FLAS 431: Spanish for Medical and Social Services
- FLAS 433: Spanish for the Professions
- FLAS 434: Introduction to Translation
- FLAS 435: Introduction to Interpreting
- FLAS 441: Applied Phonetics and Phonology
- FLAS 446: Spanish Language Variation
- FLAS 498: Senior Practicum
Secondary Teaching
- Identical courses as Hispanic Studies track, plus...
- 29 credits in EDUC classes, including Teaching Methodologies and a Teaching Internship.
- All of our graduates in this field have landed teaching jobs, locally, on the front range, and across the country.
Translation and Interpreting
We are currently adding an additional concentration to the Spanish program to connect provide greater focus on developing skills in the areas of Translation and Interpreting. This track will be added in Fall 2024, so look for more information regarding that.