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 & Minor
Format
On Campus
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.
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
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
Our Faculty
"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."
"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."
Recent News
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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.
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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
Financial Aid
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 $100,000 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
University Pl
Chester, PA 19013
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Modern Languages Department
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Freedom Hall, Room 314
- 610-499-1112
- burraca@widener.edu
Paul L. Goldberg
Associate Dean of Humanities
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Kapelski Learning Center
Room 305 - (610) 499-4342
- plgoldberg@widener.edu