Education

This program prepares you for professional roles where Spanish-speaking skills and cultural competency are needed or preferred. Alongside the opportunity to learn and practice the Spanish language, you’ll explore the cultural context of Latin American, Mexican American and Spanish traditions. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable transferable skills that can be used in any industry, including:

• Career development
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Equity and inclusion
• Leadership
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Technology

Please note, this program doesn’t provide courses that certify you for teaching, translating or interpreting Spanish. This degree can help prepare you to become certified in teaching or interpretation. However, these credentials must be obtained outside of this program.

How a Spanish degree provides you with in-demand job skills

A bachelor’s degree in Spanish prepares you to become proficient in a second language and gain a competitive edge in your future profession. Studies have shown that those who are bilingual in English and Spanish are proven to make 5–20% more than their monolingual peers. This degree can be an asset in many career paths in areas such as:

• Business
• Communication
• Education
• Government
• Health care
• National and international management
• Translation and interpretation

Additionally, if you’re pursuing a degree in another discipline such as health care, justice studies, hospitality or tourism, earning a concurrent degree in that other discipline and Spanish, could provide you career advantages in the future. Many Spanish courses have designations that could count towards the general studies requirements for any university degree while also fulfilling the Spanish major.

How you’ll develop your Spanish language skills in this program

In your coursework, you’ll study various texts, films, historical events and important social debates to develop a deep understanding of the cultures in Spanish-speaking regions. Specifically, this degree takes a close look at Spanish, Latin American and Mexican American cultures to create an all-encompassing understanding of these cultures and the differences between them. Learning about the many cultures related to the Spanish language allows for a greater understanding of the language, better translation and enhanced cultural awareness.

This program offers opportunities for you to build speaking proficiency in Spanish during virtual meetings where you can practice speaking Spanish with your instructor and classmates. The majority of the assignments in this program are completed at your own pace, on your own schedule. Overall, this program aims to build your knowledge of the language from the ground up, starting with grammar and vocabulary. You’ll then solidify your knowledge of Spanish through speaking and writing assignments in a variety of contexts from daily life to professional correspondence and communication.

For students who have previous knowledge of the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world, we have a special series of courses that we call the Spanish Heritage track. The Spanish Heritage track is especially designed for students who have primarily learned Spanish either at home or living within a Spanish-speaking community. The courses in the Spanish Heritage track acknowledge students who have needs that are different from traditional second language learners.

Oral and written communication skills are in demand by employers across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. This online English degree can help prepare you for careers in nearly any discipline, including journalism, education, public policy, social media and communication.

This program is ideal for those looking to advance in their careers or enter a new field. Your coursework will emphasize critical thinking and communication skills, as well as the value of multiple perspectives and experiences.

The skills you’ll develop as an English major

In this program, you’ll develop the ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences, lead teams and solve complex problems. You’ll also explore perspectives on a variety of themes from environmental concerns and the rhetoric of crisis management to contemporary approaches for studying literature and digital narratives.

In your courses, you’ll build transferable competencies in areas such as:

• Contextual analysis
• Conventions of literacy
• Critical reading and writing
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Digital and multimodal composition
• Linguistics
• Storytelling and narrative development
• Rhetorical scholarship

Can you become a teacher with an English degree?

Not with the degree alone. However, an English degree can be a stepping stone toward becoming a K–12 teacher. Certification and licensure requirements vary by state and typically require additional education courses.

Please note: If you’re interested in pursuing teaching, you must check the requirements of your state licensure board.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a variety of graduate and professional programs, including those that lead to teacher certification. Other advanced studies you can pursue include law, journalism, communication and medicine.

This program provides a flexible pathway to working with children, youth and adults within nonprofit settings, community-based organizations, civic organizations and businesses. You’ll develop practical skills aligned with workforce demands, such as facilitating learning experiences with and for diverse people in different contexts. You’ll also become an effective communicator, collaborator, critical thinker, leader and advocate; all of which are essential to educators working across professional contexts.

Applied learning experiences, including a two-semester internship, are a core feature of the program, offering transformative opportunities to bridge theory with practical application. These offerings allow you to develop relationships with prospective employers through embedded learning experiences and partnerships. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with insights and skills that will set you apart as a versatile educator ready to make a meaningful impact beyond traditional K-12 classrooms.

Specialize your studies to fit your career goals

This program provides the opportunity to customize your educational journey and align it with your career aspirations. Specializing your studies prepares you for career advancement and deepens your understanding and practice as an educator in diverse settings.

This student-driven approach empowers you to shape your education around your passions and professional goals. You can consult with an academic advisor to craft a program that best fits your interests, whether through chosen electives, a certificate or a minor. This will ensure every course supports your journey toward an impactful career in education.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Arts in education
• Master of Arts in interdisciplinary education on community health and wellbeing
• Master of Education in early childhood special education
• Master of Education in early childhood special education – teacher certification
• Master of Education in elementary education
• Master of Education in elementary education – teacher certification
• Master of Education in higher and postsecondary education
• Master of Education in learning design and technologies
• Master of Education in secondary education
• Master of Education in secondary education – teacher certification

Please note: This bachelor’s program doesn’t lead to teacher certification. You may secure certification through some of the graduate degrees above that are part of our Accelerated Master’s program.

Who’s a good candidate for this educational studies degree?

This program is tailored to individuals who are passionate about enhancing communities and workplaces through educational best practices, yet prefer roles outside traditional classroom teaching. Ideal candidates thrive in diverse environments and are committed to advocating for education across all age groups, from infants to adults. They also excel in roles where they can innovate and advance systems, using design thinking to foster learning and development.

With just 43 required credits, this program is flexible for transfer students. It offers a streamlined path to graduation while preparing you to make a significant impact in organizational and community settings through lifelong learning and educational improvement.