Why Study Spanish?

Study Spanish where language comes to life. In San Antonio and across campus, you’ll build advanced language skills while engaging with culture, community, and global perspectives.

Study Spanish in San Antonio

San Antonio’s rich Latinx culture gives students a setting where Spanish connects naturally to community, history, and everyday life.

Learn Across Campus and Beyond It

Trinity’s Spanish Across the Curriculum program and internship opportunities help students connect language study with other academic and professional interests.

Explore the Spanish-speaking world from multiple perspectives

The MAS program and a large Spanish faculty support study across peninsulares, Spanish American, and U.S. Latino/a/x literature and culture.

It’s a good fit for you if you:

  • You enjoy learning languages and want to communicate confidently across cultures.
  • You’re interested in exploring literature, history, film, and culture from diverse Spanish-speaking communities.
  • You want bilingual skills and global perspectives that can complement almost any career path.

The Spanish major pairs well with a wide range of interdisciplinary fields, making it a strong option for students who want both depth in Spanish and a range across other interests.

The Spanish Major (B.A.)

The Spanish major develops advanced language proficiency alongside cultural, literary, and historical knowledge. You’ll learn to analyze complex ideas, communicate across cultures, and apply your skills in academic, professional, and global settings..

In-Demand Skills

Graduate with skills employers value, including:

  • Advanced Spanish communication
  • Cultural and literary analysis
  • Research and interpretation
  • Clear writing across languages and contexts
     

Interdisciplinary Curriculum:

Through courses in literary history, film, cultural studies, research methods, and related topics, students develop the ability to read closely, think critically, and communicate with confidence across contexts.

You’ll complete 24 credit hours, bringing together language study with literature, film, history, and cultural studies.


View Spanish B.A. requirements
 

The Spanish Minor

20 Credit Hours  |  1.5 to 2 semesters of coursework 

Add Spanish to the work you want to do.

The Spanish minor helps students strengthen their language skills while building knowledge of culture and literature. Designed to complement many majors, it gives students an added linguistic and cultural lens they can apply across academic, professional, and community settings.

This minor works especially well for students who want to pair Spanish with another field and expand how they communicate, interpret culture, and engage diverse communities.

Meet the Faculty

Faculty don’t just bring Spanish culture to the classroom—they connect students to real Spanish-speaking communities around the world, providing opportunities for internships and study abroad in these areas of the globe.

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Chair

Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz, Ph.D.

Professor

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Dania E. Abreu-Torres, Ph.D.

Associate Dean: The Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities, Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Literatures

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Carlos X. Ardavin-Trabanco, Ph.D.

Professor

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Rosana Blanco-Cano, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

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Norma Elia Cantu, Ph.D.

Murchison Professor of the Humanities

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Jesus Castro Gorfti, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer

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Ana Maria Mutis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

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Debra Ochoa, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

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Bladimir Ruiz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

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J'Leen Saeger, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer

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Carlos Velez Salas, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer

Recent Graduate Careers

Spanish graduates combine advanced communication skills with cultural insight, opening doors to careers in education, healthcare, business, media, public service, nonprofit leadership, and graduate study.

Community Engagement

Spanish students apply their language skills in community-based and global settings, preparing for careers in healthcare, social services, and nonprofit work. Graduates pursue roles as health educators, work with organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, and engage in activism and community organizing.
 

Education

Graduates pursue careers in education at all levels, including teaching and academic research. Many continue to graduate programs such as Master of Arts in Teaching degrees or Ph.D. programs in literature, cultural studies, and related fields.

Media

The program builds strong writing and communication skills that translate to careers in journalism, marketing, and public relations. Students learn to connect with diverse audiences and communicate effectively across cultural contexts.
 

Business

Spanish pairs with a wide range of disciplines to support careers in business, public administration, and public policy. Graduates use their language proficiency and cultural knowledge to work in Spanish-speaking markets and global professional environments.

Students and faculty on the Summer 2025 Trinity Madrid Summer Program pose for a photo in a town square in Spain  while holding a MAS banner

Get Your Questions Answered

Students interested in the Spanish major and minor are encouraged to:

Talk with their academic adviser. Explore introductory courses in Spanish and related areas of language, culture, and literature. Review the course catalog for detailed requirements.

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities

Location

Northrup Hall

Phone

Fax

Chair

Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz, Ph.D.