Offered by: College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, English and Foreign Languages Department
The major provides a broad curricular base that encourages students to develop and enhance their communicative skills–both oral and written–in Spanish, the fourth most widely spoken language in the world and the second in the Southwest. By gaining insight into and appreciation of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, students will develop a fuller understanding of themselves and their own culture.
The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish prepares students to enter a wide variety of careers. The State of California’s recent foreign language requirements for high school graduation and for admission into the CSU will increase the demand for teachers of Spanish in the public schools. The major will prepare students to enter teacher-preparation programs as well as advanced-degree graduate programs. In addition, the Spanish major would benefit careers in international business, management, the media, law enforcement, tourism, publishing, interpreting, translation, public relations, advertising, and social sciences. The federal government seeks out Spanish-speaking graduates for employment in civil service and diplomatic areas.
The Spanish B. A. is especially suited for students wishing to teach Spanish in middle or high schools. The Spanish B.A. gives the subject matter competency, that is, the knowledge about the Spanish language that a teacher needs in order to teach Spanish. To become a credentialed middle or high school teacher, candidates need to complete the Single Subject Credential program in the College of Education and Integrative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona or at another institution. This is usually a fifth year of study that provides the necessary knowledge of pedagogy, as well as classroom practice. Completion of the major in Spanish at Cal Poly Pomona allows students to demonstrate that they successfully meet the state subject matter requirement for the Single Subject Credential in Spanish. Students may also meet this requirement by passing an examination adopted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Students should initiate contact and appointments for appropriate advisement early in the undergraduate program. For further information, see Dr. Amalia Llombart in the English and Foreign Languages Department.
Preparation for the Spanish Major
One year of elementary college-level Spanish (SPN 151 , SPN 152 and SPN 153 ) or the equivalent (two years of high school Spanish, etc.) is required for admission into the major. In addition, all majors must pass a written and oral proficiency test upon entrance to the program and another at the beginning of the junior year.
