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Applied Spanish for the Professions

Bachelor of Science

Overview

There is a large demand for professionals with language skills in fields such as business, education, public service and health professions.

Studying Applied Spanish for the Professions will prepare you for success in your career field where language proficiency is a key asset.

Be prepared to use your Spanish proficiency to further both your career and your future ministry.

Spanish class

Program

BJU’s Applied Spanish for the Professions is an interdisciplinary program that allows for flexibility in your studies while being rooted in Spanish courses. As you gain fluency, you’ll develop your knowledge and communication skills in writing, speaking, history and literature. Because culture and literature are extremely important to many Spanish speakers, courses in these areas help you understand their world and connect with them on a deeper level.

In addition to your Spanish courses, the program is built on having a second area of study. That is accomplished by choosing a minor or doing a double or dual degree program. You’ll work with your academic advisor to select the minor or program that best helps you meet your professional goals.

Your courses and opportunities outside of class will prepare you to speak fluently under pressure (this would be at the advanced level, according to ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines for interpersonal communication).

BJU Core

Courses in Bible will help you articulate what you believe and help you confidently share why you believe God’s Word. And through subjects such as history, economics and science, you’ll be better equipped to weave biblical truth into your daily conversations and interactions with others.

In addition, you’ll learn that language finds its home in history—that’s why the BJU Core complements the program so well. Your studies in other academic areas, such as history, psychology and the arts, will give you a better understanding of all people. And coupled with your Spanish courses, your liberal arts courses will help you understand the worldview and values of native Spanish speakers.

Electives

One of the most important electives is the opportunity to study abroad in Spanish-speaking countries. Your other elective hours will be made up of the minor or double/dual program that you choose to study.

Your Future

Jobs

With the increasing number of Spanish speakers in the United States, studying Spanish opens up your future tremendously.

  • Teacher/Instructor
  • Ministry/Mission work
  • Interpreter or translator
  • Manufacturer representative
  • International worker (airlines, banking, industry, business, journalism)
  • Government worker (State Department, Foreign Service, Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture)
  • Social worker

Graduate Schools

Our Spanish graduates have been accepted into graduate schools, including:

  • Middlebury College
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • University of South Carolina, Columbia
  • Auburn University
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Tulsa
  • George Mason University
  • Covenant College
  • Butler University
  • Winthrop University
  • University of Northern Iowa

Graduate Experience

Our Spanish graduates have gone into a number of careers and have held jobs such as:

  • Senior cybersecurity engineer at MITRE
  • Language and culture assistant, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
  • Associate professor of Spanish, Clemson University, South Carolina
  • Senior associate consultant at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
  • Foreign language consultant, Wetzel Educational Services

Career Support

BJU’s Career Services office helps both students and alumni through career advising, resume preparation, job search assistance, recruitment conferences and more.

In addition, over 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/mission boards/Christian organizations come on campus to recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs.

Students in class

Learning Experience

Practical experience, especially in a language, is essential. That is why BJU’s Spanish faculty encourage your involvement with native speakers, both at BJU and abroad. These opportunities will help you better understand spoken Spanish and, in turn, help you better communicate with others.

University Language Association

The University Language Association is a student-run organization that brings in Spanish speakers from various countries and occupations to give you opportunities to see the connections between Spanish and future careers. You’ll also learn about needs in Christian ministries around the world so you can give of yourself through prayer and other means for the glory of God.

Language Rooms

If you’re a residence hall student, language rooms give you the chance to live near other students studying languages so that you have extra opportunities to practice conversing and improving your language skills.

Spanish Opportunities

There are a growing number of Spanish speakers in Greenville, S.C., providing numerous avenues of service. Your opportunities range from serving in a Spanish-speaking church to working at non-profit organizations that assist Spanish speakers. Spanish faculty members can help you get connected so you can grow in your proficiency in the language.

Study Abroad Program

During your time at BJU, you’ll have the opportunity to travel to Spain in the summer. During the four weeks in Spain, you’ll take two on-location immersion courses—you’ll spend mornings in class and your afternoons visiting historical sites and using your skills in the Spanish language. View details.

Study Abroad group

Faculty

Amos Kasperek
Amos Kasperek

Division of Modern Language and Literature

View Faculty

Your Spanish faculty are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject. All have traveled extensively to Spanish-speaking countries, so they teach from their firsthand experience of cultures and dialects.

In addition, they have presented academic papers at international conferences such as the Association for Classical Hispanic Theater and the South Central Modern Language Association. And above all else, they have a passion for God’s work around the globe and equip you to serve God wherever He leads you.

Courses & Objectives

Sample Course Outline

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

  • Bible Doctrines
  • Spanish Elective (300/400-level) (3 credits)
  • Spanish Elective (300/400-level) (3 credits)
  • Electives (6 credits)

4th Year

  • Program
  • BJU Core
  • Elective

    Program Objectives

    Each student will:

    • Communicate inSpanish at the Advanced level in the interpersonal mode.
    • Communicate in Spanish at the Advanced level in the presentational mode.
    • Understand Spanish at the Advanced level in the interpretive mode.
    • Analyze Hispanic cultures from a biblical worldview.
    • Apply Spanish to produce a product or solve a problem in their target professional field.

    What’s my next step?