Hispanic Studies
Language competency is a life skill and a career asset. Salve Regina University's bachelor's degree in Hispanic studies allows students to develop their linguistic skills while gaining an appreciation for the cultures, civilizations, heritage and literature of the Spanish-speaking world.
Seek New Experiences
Salve Regina's Hispanic studies program immerses students in the Spanish language, allowing them to master their speaking, reading and writing skills. Additional coursework explores the heritage, traditions and diverse backgrounds of Spanish-speaking countries and promotes understanding between individuals and nations.
We encourage students to deepen their understanding of cultural differences and similarities, exercise their responsibilities as global citizens and promote meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Students who major in Hispanic studies are required to spend at least one semester studying in a Spanish-speaking country, and internships abroad are supported wherever possible.
With just 11 courses required for the major, students have excellent opportunities to combine their study of Spanish with programs such as global studies, healthcare administration, political science, psychology or social work. Students who are interested in teaching Spanish are encouraged to consider Salve Regina's world languages education program, which prepares them to apply for Rhode Island teacher certification for grades K-12.
Program Spotlight: Conquering Climate Change
Tian Quinn, who is double majoring in global studies and Spanish and minoring in English communications, is creating a bilingual children’s book about climate change as part of her study abroad program in Bolivia. Quinn is working with Kids Books Bolivia to research and write her book, which will be made available to children for free or at reduced cost.
As part of her independent research project about climate change, Quinn is volunteering at a bee farm that produces organic products and emphasizes the idea of sustainable living versus exploiting natural resources.
I hope to understand how climate change and human action are changing the relationship of bees in nature. Afterwards, I will be turning my research into a children’s book, working closely with Kids’ Books Bolivia where I will be writing in both English and Spanish as well as drawing the illustrations myself.
Our Faculty
With experience living and studying in countries around the globe, our full-time faculty specialize in French, Italian and Spanish language and culture. We are supported by additional faculty who teach languages such as Arabic, Chinese, German and Portuguese, and we routinely welcome visiting professors from countries such as France, Spain and Venezuela through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program.
Life After Salve Regina
There are more than 400 million native speakers of Spanish worldwide and more than 37 million U.S. residents speaking Spanish as their first language, making proficiency in the language a desirable asset for careers both at home and abroad. Salve Regina's recent alumni are pursuing careers and advanced degrees in fields such as:
- Health care
- Hospitality
- International marketing
- Journalism
- Nonprofit organizations
- Diplomat
- FBI agent
- Foreign service officer
- International business executive
- International development worker
- International relations specialist
- Peace Corps volunteer
Program Spotlight: Gilman Scholarship
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to broaden the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate. Recent Salve Regina recipients have studied in Australia, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Russia and Spain.
The Gilman scholarship made it possible to take the next step in achieving my goal of becoming fluent in Spanish by the end of my journey at Salve. Without it, this experience would have not been feasible for my small family and me.
Taelor Washington, marketing major, Spanish minor
Major in Hispanic Studies (B.A.)
Students complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn the bachelor's degree: 49-51 credits of core courses, 36-44 credits of elective courses and 33 credits (11 courses) in the major.
Required course:
- SPA310: Introduction to Hispanic Cultural Analysis
Students choose from an approved list of Spanish and linguistics courses to reach the 11-course requirement. Two courses taken in English can count toward the major, and students are required to take at least one departmental Spanish course during their senior year.
Minor in Hispanic Studies
6 courses | 18 credits
Required course:
- SPA310: Introduction to Hispanic Cultural Analysis
Students choose from an approved list of Spanish and linguistics courses to reach the six-course requirement. One course taken in English can count toward the minor.