Latin American and Caribbean Studies Certificate (LACS)
Advantages
Deepen your knowledge of Latin American cultures and societies and the global interconnectedness of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Outcome
Latin American Foreign Affairs Specialist
A bachelor's in Spanish will enhance your language proficiency and cultural competence while introducing you to diverse global experiences on campus and abroad.
Major & Minor
On Campus
To major in Spanish requires more than learning vocabulary—it requires taking risks as you engage with foreign cultures and ideas.
At Widener, you'll be supported in this risk-taking when you major in Spanish. In small, discussion-based classes, you'll practice speaking, reading, and writing the language of nearly half a billion people worldwide. Paired with cultural studies emphasizing social and historical contexts, you'll constantly be meeting new people and engaging with diverse perspectives that will open doors to a wide range of careers in today’s competitive global economy.
Faculty-led trips to Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico are just the beginning of international experiences. With options to study abroad for a semester and attend cultural immersion trips right in Philadelphia, your language skills will help you create meaningful experiences far beyond the classroom.
When you graduate, your bilingualism will set you apart as a leader in any industry you choose—there's no telling where your Spanish major will take you.
Your Spanish major will begin with either SPAN 101, 201, or 301 depending upon your level of previous Spanish language study and/or extended noninstructional exposure to and experience with the language.
As you grow in your conversation and composition skills, you'll have the freedom to select the electives most aligned with your professional and personal goals. You'll also have the flexibility to study abroad and pursue other immersive language experiences before honing all you've learned in a comprehensive senior research project.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for the Spanish major.
College is about exploration. At Widener, you'll complete a general education curriculum that supports just that. You'll have the flexibility and freedom to dive deep into the topics that spark curiosity, challenge your mind, and power your personal and academic growth.
Along the way, you'll cultivate critical, meaningful skills employers seek, including:
It all starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 course topics that will encourage you to go deeper and examine complex issues that shape our world and our ways of relating to one another. When you dive into the possibilities, you're sure to find multiple courses that inspire and intrigue you, regardless of whether they align with your major! Think of it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and truly learn something new. Then, in your senior year, you'll come full circle with a capstone course that takes your Thinking Through topic to new heights strengthened by everything you've cultivated along your college journey.
Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that seeks to apply humanistic reasoning and research to important questions related to technology, such as social sustainability, big data, and privacy. Work in digital humanities includes public humanities, data mining/visualization, web design, textual analysis, educational technology, and ethics and technology.
View curriculum and coursework requirements for the digital humanities specialization.
Widener's pre-professional pathways give you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.
Spanish majors can participate in the following pathways:
Through Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree with only one additional year of study—saving you valuable time and money. Master's degrees can be earned in allied health education (MEd), business administration (MBA), criminal justice (MCJ), organizational development and leadership (MA), and public administration (MPA).
While Widener does not offer a master’s degree in the same field as this major, you can still select from a variety of powerhouse master’s programs that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth.
Worried about landing a paid internship? Widener's Experience MORE! program helps bridge the gap for Arts & Sciences students in unpaid or underpaid internships, meaning awardees can get both the experience and the paycheck. You'll also receive support with your cover letter, interview prep, and finding an impactful internship.
Recent internship sites include the Philadelphia Union, Museum of Arts & Sciences (Smithsonian affiliate), Delaware County Office of Sustainability, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, United Health Services of Delaware, and more!
Deepen your knowledge of Latin American cultures and societies and the global interconnectedness of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Latin American Foreign Affairs Specialist
Use your Spanish-speaking skill set to create marketing materials that impact a wider audience.
Advertiser
Provide support and solutions in Spanish-speaking countries while working for a non-government organization (NGO).
NGO Official
Gain insight into economic, social, and entrepreneurial methods to provide investment advice and create financial plans for clients.
International Banking Officer
Gain a better understanding of political and government systems in order to accurately translate government and political documents.
Government and Political Translator
Employment of interpreters and translators is expected to increase by 20% by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.
Apply what you learn in class to real-world projects and experiences. You can conduct independent research, snag an internship at a Spanish-speaking nonprofit, and join cultural excursions to museums and restaurants in Philadelphia.
Studying abroad is highly encouraged and whether you want to study abroad for a week or a year, faculty will work with you to find an international program that best suits your needs (and budget).
Widener is home to a thriving community of international students and cultural immersion experiences. Clubs, organizations, and honor societies allow you the chance to meet new people and nourish your global passions outside of the classroom.
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing
"What I love most about teaching are those moments when students say 'I never thought about it this way,' or when I walk into a classroom and students are already talking in Spanish or discussing the readings without me. I love watching young people learn and grow, taking ownership of the learning process."
"I like to emphasize speaking Spanish in and outside of class. For example, my students regularly have video conferences with college students from Latin America and Spain, and I organize and lead summer trips to Mexico where I’ve been conducting research for years."
This Q&A takes a closer look at Gabby Nye, a record-setting member of the women's cross country team who racked up a series of accolades this season including becoming the first team member to secure the 2022 MAC individual title and be named the MAC runner of the year.
These trilingual Widener graduates have tapped into language programs and international clubs and services to help secure internships and other opportunities that will give them an advantage on the job market.
Students forge powerful connections with Costa Rican peers.
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
To visit Widener is to fall in love with the place. But don't take our word—experience it for yourself. Plan a visit to connect with our students, faculty, and staff.
We offer a variety of events to get to know Widener—from virtual sessions, workshops, and private tours, to the big splash of our signature open houses.
Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!
Applying online is easy—and it's free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.
Muller Hall
University Pl
Chester, PA 19013
Freedom Hall, Room 314
Kapelski Learning Center
Room 305