Spanish Program

Whether you want to learn how to speak Spanish, teach Spanish, or learn more about Spanish culture and literature, WSU has something for you. 

Your Spanish education will not go to waste. The US has 52 million Spanish speakers, making it the second most popular language in the country. And, more than 300 million people speak Spanish worldwide, making it one of the largest markets for businesses and one of the most useful languages in the world for travel.

Spanish is good for more than just personal communication and travel. Employers are seeking applicants who can speak Spanish in nearly every profession including medical, government, legal, journalism, finance, education, and sales

To top it off, being bilingual improves cognitive functions like being able to ignore distractions and hold information in memory.

Declare your Major or Minor in Spanish

Our Programs Fit Your Plans

We offer a Spanish Major (Bachelor of Arts), a Spanish teaching major BS (Teaching) Major, and a Spanish Minor.

Many students double-major with Spanish and a variety of primary majors such as:

  • Nursing
  • Elementary Education
  • Business

Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers

Our SPAN 310 course is designed for people who grew up speaking Spanish at home or who learned the language in an immersion program. 

The course emphasizes formal literacy skills in Spanish, such as using accent marks, spelling differences with English and advanced grammar issues related to society.

Our Courses Get You Talking

Our Elementary and Intermediate level courses focus on speaking from the first day of class. The goal is to build fluency and accuracy while you learn about current events, cultural differences, and historical context.

We offer a range of upper-division courses in Peninsular and Latin American Literatures, Cultures, and Spanish Linguistics.

Our faculty have diverse academic and cultural backgrounds that will enhance your educational experience. Develop language proficiency while expanding your knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literatures. 

View the course descriptions for Spanish courses. 

Spanish Placement Exam

If you have studied Spanish before and wish to enroll at a suitable level, take the Spanish placement exam

If you have never learned Spanish before, enroll in Elementary Spanish 1. 

Contact the Global Studies & World Languages Department
Global Studies & World Languages Department
Minné 120

507.457.5500

Meghan Guernica
Office Manager
Email Meghan Guernica