After careful review, the College has decided to phase out the Spanish major over the next few years. No new students will be admitted into this program. The College will continue to offer Spanish classes each semester.
Majoring in Spanish
Adventurers have a strong desire to explore the unknown — to build connections on a global scale.
Students learn from talented faculty who challenge them in the classroom and provide hands-on learning opportunities that prepare majors for success during study abroad and international travel experiences. Learn Spanish, the fourth most widely spoken language, and you'll know a language spoken by more than 300 million people worldwide.
Even before you leave campus, Marietta's diverse community will allow you to practice with native speakers. And all majors spend at least one semester in an approved study abroad program in a country where Spanish is spoken, completing a related project as part of their capstone.
What You’ll Learn as a Spanish Major
The in-depth study in Spanish and the general education core curriculum that Marietta students receive makes them stand out to potential employers — both foreign and domestic — and graduate programs.
An Immersive Experience
The major requires 31 to 33 hours in Spanish-related courses, which makes it possible for students to add a second major or multiple minors. Every student in this major studies abroad for at least one semester in a country where Spanish is the predominant language — so Marietta College Spanish majors are immersed in the language and culture. Students have opportunities to present their education abroad experiences each spring during the campus-wide All Scholars Day— a day when students present research projects, original creative works, and internship and study abroad experiences to students, faculty, and the Marietta community.
Teaching English as a Second Language
The College also offers a TEFL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Certificate, which qualifies graduates for teaching jobs and illustrates to employers the ability to work in bilingual environments. Research shows that 38 million people in the United States speak Spanish as their first language. That number is expected to rise dramatically — by 30 percent — by the year 2050. Recent studies also conclude that job opportunities posted for people with bilingual skills more than doubled between 2010 and 2015, and that language skills are the eighth-most in-demand by employers in all occupations.
What types of careers do Marietta Spanish majors pursue?
- Translator
- International Lawyer
- Teacher
- Foreign Correspondent
- Court Interpreter
- Flight Attendant
- Librarian
- Personnel Manager
- Honor Societies and Student Organizations
Students who excel academically in Spanish are elected to Sigma Delta Pi, the national collegiate Hispanic honor society.
Spanish majors also have opportunities to participate in the Spanish Club and Model United Nations Club or join the American International Association, which increases positive interactions and understanding between American and international students at Marietta and supports the values of globalization by exposing students to different cultures.
- TEFL Certificate
Students can earn a Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate by completing 18 credit hours in courses that include:
- Language Analysis
- Language Teaching Pedagogy
- Language in the Social Context
- Second Language Acquisition
- Education Abroad Locations
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Nicaragua
- Spain
- Venezuela
- Outcomes — Graduate Programs
- Yale University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Montana
- Outcomes — Professions
- International Samaritan — International Program Coordinator
- Otterbein University — Professor of Spanish
- International Studies Abroad — Associate Director of Strategic Programs
- Colégio Piracicabano — English Teacher
- Wilson Elementary School — Spanish Teacher
- Bishop Hartley (Ohio) School — Spanish Teacher
- Teach For America — Teacher
- Marietta College — Adjunct Spanish Instructor
- Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains — Outreach Specialist
FAQs
- Does the department accept AP credit toward the major?
The department recognizes the accomplishments of students who have AP credit in Spanish. Any student who scores a 3 in AP Spanish Language and Culture will get credit for SPAN 101/102. Any student who scores a 3 in AP Spanish Literature and Culture will get credit for SPAN 300.
- Can I double major?
It is common for students who are majoring in Spanish to have a second major. Almost any major at Marietta College would work well with Spanish.