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
Undergraduate Major
Spanish Major (BA)
A bachelor's in Spanish will enhance your language proficiency and cultural competence while introducing you to diverse global experiences on campus and abroad.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Spanish Major
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.
Spanish Major Program Options
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.
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.
Prepare for a rewarding career teaching Spanish within PK-12 schools by pursuing Spanish education certification. You’ll learn the ins and outs of being a teacher while majoring in Spanish. The PK-12 Spanish teacher education program emphasizes bilingual education, where students are immersed in Spanish classrooms in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Speak with your academic advisor if you're interested in pursuing this track, and view the Loading... requirements for the Spanish education certification.
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:
Take Your Spanish Degree Further
At Widener, you can earn a bachelor's and a master's degree with only one additional year of study—regardless of your chosen major. Through our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you'll earn your bachelor's of choice and choose from a range of master's degrees that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth—all while saving you time and money.
It's never too early to get real-world work experience to set you apart from the crowd and dive deeper into your discipline! Worried about scoring a paid internship? Worry, no more! Widener's Experience MORE! program can help bridge the gap between unpaid or underpaid experiences.
After perfecting your résumé and cover letter with the help of Widener’s Career Design & Development team, you'll work to score an internship and apply for the Experience MORE! program to get the financial support you need to pursue the internship of your dreams. If selected as an awardee, you will receive a grant to subsidize your internship work.
Pair Your Spanish Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Spanish Majors
Why Study Spanish at Widener?
Learn Beyond the Classroom
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).
Grow Your Spanish Network
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.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
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
Our Faculty
"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."
Recent News
On the Run: Widener Celebrates Cross Country Athlete’s Milestones
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.
Widener Dining Collaborates with Student to Reduce Plastic Bag Usage in Pride Café
A student-driven initiative is reducing plastic usage in the Pride Café by giving diners reusable bags and the option to skip plastic bags for mobile food orders.
The Trilingual Advantage Gives These Widener Graduates a Leg Up
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.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
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.
When to Apply
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:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
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:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
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.
Financial Aid
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.
Paths to Savings
Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
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.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
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.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
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.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Modern Languages Department
-
Freedom Hall, Room 314
- 610-499-1112
- burraca@widener.edu
Paul L. Goldberg
Associate Dean of Humanities
-
Kapelski Learning Center
Room 305 - (610) 499-4342
- plgoldberg@widener.edu