Offered by: College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, English and Modern Languages Department
The B.A. in Spanish trains students in the key knowledge areas of literary studies, linguistics and intercultural competence, and it hones the essential skills of critical thinking, writing and argument, teamwork, communication, and public speaking-the very skills employers rate most highly. The internship program offered by the department, as well as its literary and cultural journal, study abroad opportunities, and emphasis on undergraduate research, set students on a course for community and global engagement. As a degree in literature and linguistics, the Spanish major directly prepares students for careers in education, translation/interpretation, and for entering M.A. and Ph.D. programs in linguistics, Spanish/Latin American literature, Latinx and Chicanx Studies, Latin American Studies and related academic fields. Students with a Spanish major are likewise prepared to enter M.A.-level professional programs in international business, journalism, social work, speech pathology or speech therapy, law, law enforcement and many other fields. The federal government seeks Spanish-speaking graduates for employment in civil service and diplomatic posts.
Because all classes are conducted in Spanish and all student work is completed in the target language, second-language learners of Spanish develop communicative skills to an ACTFL Advanced High proficiency level. In turn, native and heritage speakers increase metalinguistic knowledge and bilingual range. The major prepares students to work in professional environments in Spanish, and contextualizes U.S. Latino culture within the wide and varied Hispanic world.
California’s foreign language requirements for high school graduation and acceptance to the CSU are increasing the demand for teachers of Spanish in the public schools. The major is excellent preparation for students seeking to enter teacher credential programs, and is especially well-suited for those wishing to teach Spanish in middle or high school. The Spanish B.A. grants subject matter competency, guaranteeing that a student has the linguistic and cultural knowledge necessary 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. No CSET exam is required for graduates of the Spanish major at Cal Poly program. Students interested in pursuing a credential after graduating should initiate contact for appropriate advisement early in the undergraduate program with Dr. Amàlia Llombart of the English and Modern Languages Department.
Preparation for the Spanish Major
All majors must pass a written and oral proficiency test upon entrance to the program and another at the beginning of the junior year.
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