What Can You Do With a Spanish Degree?

A Spanish degree prepares students for Spanish fluency and heightened multicultural awareness — invaluable skills in the U.S. and international job markets.

Spanish students gain expertise in Spanish linguistics and culture. Learners build knowledge and skills applicable to careers in tourism, education, business, and sales. Along with positions that require that travel to Spanish-speaking areas of the world, Spanish students thrive in roles like translators and teachers.

Jobs for Spanish majors are in abundance, thanks to the high demand for bilingual employees across economic sectors. According to a 2017 New American Economy report, Spanish-language proficiency ranks among the top three in-demand languages employers seek in potential hires.

Each Spanish degree is unique and different in scope. Individuals should determine which degree best aligns with their personal and professional goals.

Associate and bachelor’s degrees build fundamental communication skills in Spanish. Undergraduate students can earn associate degrees in two years, while bachelor’s degrees typically take four. Earning a master’s degree in Spanish builds expertise in the language, with opportunities to focus on regional dialects, work toward professional use, or continue onto a doctorate in Spanish.

An associate degree in Spanish typically includes two years of coursework. Enrollees study basic Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and structure as they learn to speak and write the language. An associate degree in Spanish also teaches learners to translate from English to Spanish and about Spanish literature and culture.

With an associate degree in Spanish, individuals can pursue roles as administrative associates, teaching assistants, and community service workers.

Through roughly four years of coursework, individuals earn a bachelor’s-level education in Spanish language, linguistics, and culture. A bachelor’s degree in Spanish includes coursework in introductory, elementary, and advanced Spanish grammar and vocabulary, with additional classes in specific dialects, history, and literature.

Many bachelor’s degrees in Spanish incorporate courses to help students enter education careers. A bachelor’s degree also opens up opportunities to work as interpreters, cultural events coordinators, and international salespeople.

A master’s degree in Spanish spans two years, often serving as a degree that supplements an existing career path or a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline. Teachers, business professionals, and social workers earn a master’s degree in Spanish to build competencies within their current roles.

Individuals in media can work as Spanish publishing specialists, while sales and manufacturing professionals gain knowledge and skills that benefit them in roles as importers and exporters. Additional positions for individuals with master’s degrees in Spanish include interpreter, translator, international relations consultant, and community college instructor.

A doctorate in Spanish includes 3-5 years of coursework, seminars, research, and dissertation requirements. Part-time students may take as many as 10 years to earn their doctoral degrees.

A doctoral degree in Spanish leads to positions teaching Spanish language, literature, and culture courses at colleges and universities. With a doctorate in Spanish, a graduate can also work as a language researcher, writer, immigration consultant, or international relations specialist. Some of these positions may require additional certification and licensure.

Spanish degrees vary by level, institution, and department. When choosing a Spanish program, individuals should assess factors like tuition, program length, and available specializations. An online program in Spanish may allow for more flexibility and convenience than an on-campus degree, although synchronous and asynchronous requirements differ among programs.

Students should also consider their professional goals to identify their ideal degree pathway. Individuals who work in healthcare may want to enter a program that offers coursework in Spanish medical vocabulary. Educators can earn master’s degrees in Spanish to hone their knowledge and skills in various aspects of the discipline. Learners should also consider additional certification and licensure needs, along with how a Spanish degree can help meet those requirements.

When researching Spanish programs, students should determine the accreditation status of each prospective school. Colleges and universities in the U.S. hold national or regional accreditation, with the regional form generally held in higher regard. This status influences financial aid, credit transfer, and employment opportunities.

Along with regional or national accreditation, some programs receive specialized accreditation from professional or discipline-focused entities. While no agency specifically accredits Spanish degree programs, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, as a specialized professional association of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, confers the status upon schools that prepare teachers of foreign languages.

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