Why Study Spanish?

The Spanish-speaking population in the United States continues to flourish. It is now the most common non-English language spoken in Indiana and has become a hugely desirable skill in the workplace.

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Studying Spanish will teach you to communicate with Spanish speakers in the workplace, at home or abroad, understand cultural practices of other peoples, and appreciate the nature of language itself. You’re likely to find that learning another language helps you to better understand your own!

We offer introductory and intermediate course series for non-majors and an advanced curriculum for continuing students, providing you with all the resources and knowledge needed to achieve your unique goals.

The Program in Spanish offers:

Undergraduate Programs
Major in Spanish
Minor in Spanish
Certificate in Intercultural Health-Spanish

Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish
Certificate in Translation Studies

Start your academic career now – learn how today!

What Studying Spanish Did for Me?

“For me, learning Spanish is something I’ve always been determined to do. I had an experience as a child where I became neighbors with a girl who moved from Mexico to the United States with her family and she didn’t know any English. Because of this barrier she and her family were isolated from the rest of the community. From that experience I learned the importance of inclusion and have been learning Spanish ever since.

Studying Spanish at IUPUI has helped me grow, not only as an academic student but as an individual as well. Though Spanish is not my first language, the professors in the Spanish department are always willing to help provide resources and opportunities to help their students excel. Though this experience has been very challenging and rewarding for me I have learned a lot over the past 4 years about Spanish culture, literature and linguistics.

The technical side of my studies in Spanish has allowed me to learn the necessary skills to read, write and speak publicly at an advanced level, which has translated over to the work that I do at the Indianapolis Public Library. There, I help many patrons who come from Spanish speaking countries who need assistance accessing materials, finding employment opportunities and more. Having studied Spanish at IUPUI I’m able to put what I have learned to use in my everyday life, and not only that, but I feel content knowing that I can be a resource for other Spanish speakers in this country.”

— Briesa Koch, B.A. Spanish (2022)

Two Degrees in Four Years

As an IUPUI undergraduate student majoring in any area, you are eligible to earn a BA in Spanish. Develop a unique advantage and carve your own path without adding time to your studies by combining a Spanish degree with your other interests in any School on campus through the Dual Degree Advantage Program.

Dual Degrees in Spanish and Engineering

The School of Liberal Arts has a long history of working together with the School of Engineering and Technology for students to gain a language degree with their engineering degree.

  • Biomedical Engineering – Spanish
  • Computer Engineering – Spanish
  • Electrical Engineering – Spanish
  • Mechanical Engineering – Spanish

Redefining Language Study

We offer a variety of disciplines that explore the greater concepts of the Spanish language. Our mission is to provide you with a real-world ability and complex cultural understanding. To meet this goal, the program in Spanish offers language, linguistics, culture and civilization, literature, and applied language studies. We also offer courses specially catered to developing a working knowledge of language and culture in a chosen field, including SPAN-S 315: Spanish in the Business World.

Placement Testing

All IUPUI students who have previously taken a world language in high school or have previous experience in that language are eligible to take a World Language Placement Test.

Opportunity Abroad

The Program in Spanish encourages students to explore immersive options through abroad learning. Spanish majors as well as non-language majors have the option to study in Spain, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

More Info

Contact Rosa Tezanos-Pinto, Director of Program in Spanish.