Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world. With a fluency in Spanish, you’ll have a life-long competitive advantage for a variety of careers in healthcare, education, government and business.
Program Overview
Transform your passion for language into a powerful professional asset.
In the Spanish program at Western Colorado University, you’ll study the language, literature, linguistics, history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Spanish is an excellent complement to most majors and will serve as a competitive edge when you’re applying to jobs or graduate school. In the program, you’ll not only experience full linguistic immersion, but you’ll have the opportunity to practice your Spanish skills as a volunteer at Gunnison County’s Multicultural Resources and Project Hope. You can also gain a global perspective by studying abroad in Spanish speaking countries. Western is proud to be ranked among LendEDU’s Top 50 Colleges for Study Abroad Programs.
A global perspective
Spanish students learn the language, literature and culture of Spanish-speaking countries, which opens the door to careers in a myriad of professional fields around the world.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.
A minimum of 36 credits is required, including the 15-credit Spanish Core
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Spanish Core | ||
SPAN 201 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
SPAN 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
SPAN 270 | Spanish Conversation and Composition | 3 |
SPAN 350 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
SPAN 385 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
Total Credits | 15 |
A maximum of nine credits earned from independent study and/or foreign travel may be applied to the major. Students who desire foreign language credit for foreign study and/ or exchange programs must have prior approval from the Department of Communication Arts, Languages, and Literature. Spanish credit for foreign study will be granted only to students who participate in formal study abroad programs sponsored by institutions accredited in the United States.
And the following:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SPAN 341 | Latin American Civilization and Culture | 3 |
SPAN 370 | Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition | 3 |
SPAN 494 | Capstone Experience | 3 |
Two of the following Literature Classes: | 6 | |
SPAN 462 | Hispanic Literature | |
SPAN 464 | Hispanic Literature Through Film | |
SPAN 466 | U.S. Latino Literature | |
SPAN 468 | Hispanic Literature, Contemporary Authors | |
Two of the following Linguistics Classes: | 6 | |
SPAN 366 | METH TEACHING FOREIGN LANG | |
SPAN 480 | Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation | |
SPAN 481 | Syntax and Morphology of Spanish | |
SPAN 482 | Spanish in the U.S. | |
Total Credits | 21 |
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
Gen Ed | GE Math | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Area I | 3 |
OR | ||
Elective | Elective or minor course |
|
SPAN 101 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
SPAN 102 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | Elective or minor course | 3 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 6 |
SPAN 201 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective or minor course | 6 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | Elective or minor course (upper division) | 3 |
SPAN 270 | Spanish Conversation and Composition | 3 |
SPAN 341 | Latin American Civilization and Culture | 3 |
SPAN 350 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
SPAN 385 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective or minor course (upper division) | 3 |
SPAN 370 | Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition | 3 |
One of the following linguistics classes: | 3 | |
SPAN 366 |
METH TEACHING FOREIGN LANG | |
SPAN 480 |
Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation | |
SPAN 481 |
Syntax and Morphology of Spanish | |
SPAN 482 |
Spanish in the U.S. | |
One of the following literature classes: | 3 | |
SPAN 462 |
Hispanic Literature | |
SPAN 464 |
Hispanic Literature Through Film | |
SPAN 466 |
U.S. Latino Literature | |
SPAN 468 |
Hispanic Literature, Contemporary Authors | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective or minor course (upper division) | 6 |
One of the following linguistics classes: | 3 | |
SPAN 366 |
METH TEACHING FOREIGN LANG | |
SPAN 480 |
Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation | |
SPAN 481 |
Syntax and Morphology of Spanish | |
SPAN 482 |
Spanish in the U.S. | |
One of the following literature classes: | 3 | |
SPAN 462 |
Hispanic Literature | |
SPAN 464 |
Hispanic Literature Through Film | |
SPAN 466 |
U.S. Latino Literature | |
SPAN 468 |
Hispanic Literature, Contemporary Authors | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective or minor course (upper division) | 9 |
SPAN 494 | Capstone Experience | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 114 |
Spotlight
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Multicultural Center: Immerse with students from many cultures on campus and participate in community service and organizing cultural events.
- Volunteering: Students serve at Gunnison County’s Multicultural Resources and Project Hope to provide support for local Spanish-speaking individuals searching for additional resources to succeed in life.
Beyond the language
In addition to learning the language, Spanish students learn about the civilization, culture, history and everyday life in Spanish-speaking countries, including Spanish development from prehistoric times to the present.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department
Department Chairperson
Tamara Toomey, M.S.Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English
Administrative Assistant
Cindy PetitoAdministrative Assistant III
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231