Study language and Spanish and Latin American culture, history, politics, and more, on campus or while studying abroad!
Offering the Spanish major, two minors, three levels of certifications, and even secondary education options, there's a multitude of ways to incorporate Spanish language and culture into your undergraduate studies here at Northern.
Exciting opportunities are available at NMU for students of Spanish. While on campus, students can join the Spanish Club or take part in department-sponsored events. But why limit yourself to campus? You can study abroad in Argentina, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Spain, or another country in the Spanish-speaking world. Spanish majors are encouraged to complete a pre-approved study, internship, or work experience in a Spanish-speaking country. Courses taken abroad can count toward the major with departmental approval.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad: Salamanca
Typically offered each May, NMU students who have completed the intermediate level in Spanish (SN 202) and above may participate in the month-long FLSA program to Salamanca, Spain.
Salamanca is full of cultural activities, restaurants, museums, churches, and other neat things to see and do. Students have three hours per day of small-group Spanish language classes, and an hour of class per day with an NMU Spanish professor -- all at the renowned Universidad de Salamanca, founded in 1218.
Spanish Club
¡Bienvenidos! Spanish Club is a fun and inclusive environment for all levels of Spanish fluency. We spend our time watching movies, playing board games, dancing, and working to support our local and global communities. ¡Nos vemos pronto!
My favorite moments as an LLIS student were getting together with my group of Spanish friends where we would cook various foods from Spanish-speaking countries and discuss life and what was going in our Spanish classes. Another favorite memory was when on the last day of one of our classes we brought in a coffee pot and brewed coffee for our entire table!
Grant Combs
2021-22 Languages Outstanding Graduate
Coursework
The Spanish program emphasizes aptitude in cultural diversity, communication, critical thinking, reading and writing, thus providing students with marketable and practical skills regardless of career path. Students learn to gauge nuanced cultural differences and to communicate effectively with people of different backgrounds, making them ready to navigate today’s diverse professional environments. Students develop critical thinking and abstract challenges with creativity and confidence. While studying language, literature, and cultures, students learn about international customs, attitudes, politics, history, world views, and artistic contributions of Spanish-speaking peoples around the globe.
Programs Offered
- Spanish Major
- Spanish PK-12 Education Major
- Spanish Minor
- Latin American Studies Minor
- Advanced Study in Spanish Certification
- Intermediate Study in Spanish Certification
- Basic Study in Spanish Certification
Additional Considerations
Many Spanish majors also double major. Some popular major pairings include Biology and Environmental Studies (especially for students who wish to complete field work in Central and South America), English (especially for students interested in graduate school or who want to study literature in the original language), and International Studies (especially for students who plan to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country), just to name a few.
Students are encouraged to study abroad to develop strong writing and thinking skills, and to become versed in computer skills as well. Many graduate programs require competency beyond English, and Spanish is a good major from which to pursue graduate studies.
Potential Careers
- Lawyer and Immigration Specialist
- International Business
- Translator or Interpreter
- Healthcare Professional
- Spanish Language Educator
- Customer Support
- Journalism and Writing
- Flight Attendant and Pilot
- Educational Content Creation
- Government
- Criminal Justice
- Social Work
- Military
- Non-Governmental Organization
- International Finance and Personal Banking
- Sales
- Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Jobs that don’t even exist yet! A Spanish major shows that you are adaptable, curious, culturally-aware, open to new ideas, and are a creative problem-solver.
Skills and Competencies
The multinational tech firm Google surveyed its workforce, and many of the top characteristics of Google employees are skills acquired in the Spanish language, literature, and culture classrooms. Those abilities include:
- Being a good coach
- Communicating and listening well
- Possessing insights into others (including others’ different values and points of view)
- Having empathy and being supportive
- Being a good critical thinker
- Being a problem solver
- Being able to make connections across complex ideas
Language Certifications
Interested in learning Spanish, but unsure about committing to a major or minor? Consider a language certification! Certifications are listed on a student's transcript and complement any major or minor. Each certification requires only 8 credits (2 language courses!), earning a "C" or better at a 100 (basic), 200 (intermediate), or 300 (advanced) level. Plus, earn a Credly badge for each certificate completion!
Basic, intermediate, and advanced certificates are offered for Spanish.