With Spanish-speaking citizens and residents rapidly changing the linguistic landscape of our nation and the world, the need for bilingual professionals to assist in every major facet of day-to-day life is on the rise. Spanish majors who have interests in alternative fields and professions can use their language skills to serve and satisfy a multitude of passions.
A major in Spanish can provide you with an enriched view of the world around you, as well as language skills that will prove useful in many professional occupations. You can combine your Spanish studies with other areas to prepare for career opportunities in education, international business, criminal justice, government, travel or communications, where knowledge of a foreign language and of foreign cultures is essential.
With its emphasis on communication for real-world purposes, the Spanish program at Concordia University, Nebraska will prepare you for graduate studies, professional school or a career in a number of fields. Our small classes and personalized attention mean you get the most from your education.
Although you may choose to focus on only majoring in Spanish at Concordia Nebraska, you may find that double majoring in another discipline makes you particularly attractive to employers. For example, paired with an education degree, our Spanish program will equip you to teach a variety of levels of language study. Combining Spanish with journalism can open up careers at newspapers, radio and television stations or advertising agencies that serve urban and rural Latino communities. Likewise, a double major with business or social welfare can prepare you to work with companies or social service agencies that serve diverse customers or clients.
Fluency in Spanish is an asset in today’s job market, whatever career you choose. As a Spanish major at Concordia University, Nebraska, you'll master the Spanish language and become culturally fluent so you can better serve and lead in the church and world.
10:1
Student-to-faculty ratio
At Concordia, you’ll have many opportunities for mission trips and study abroad to places like Costa Rica, Belize and Spain. Whether it’s a short-term trip of only a few days or an entire semester, you can try out your Spanish language skills with native speakers while learning, serving and leading in the world.
As a Lutheran, Christian university, Concordia Nebraska integrates faith into every program we offer. The Spanish major is no exception. Your Spanish classes will give you a variety of opportunities to integrate your faith with your language study, from memorizing Bible verses and hymns and preparing to share your faith in Spanish, to examining cultural practices and exploring contemporary issues such as immigration from a biblical worldview.
You will also be encouraged to enhance your Spanish program by participating in an approved cross-cultural experience, such as a study abroad program or missions outreach. The cross-cultural communication skills you gain from being immersed in the Spanish language will challenge you to not simply learn the language, but to seek to understand the culture of the people who speak it.
Majoring in Spanish at Concordia University, Nebraska provides you with a greatly enriched view of the world as well as the fundamental communication, critical thinking and Spanish language skills that will prove useful in many professional occupations. With emphases on communication, writing and creative and analytical thought, the Spanish major will prepare you for graduate studies or careers in Spanish and most professional occupations, including law, business, education and medicine.
Many Spanish majors combine their Spanish studies with other areas to prepare for career opportunities in international business, government, law enforcement, education or communications, where knowledge of a foreign language and of foreign cultures is essential.
Some potential careers for those with a degree in Spanish include high school Spanish teacher, translator or interpreter, international lawyer, journalist and social worker. Because of the broad-based education you’ll receive in the Spanish program at Concordia Nebraska, you can find the vocation that matches your passions.\
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Spanish majors earn an average yearly salary of $34,000. However, it’s important to remember that your salary per year will depend on which career field you decide to pursue, as well as the company for which you work and the geographical location of that position.
If you want to be a Spanish teacher in secondary schools, you’ll need to obtain an education degree, with an endorsement in Spanish.
Core Concepts
The Spanish program at Concordia University, Nebraska prepares students to use Spanish for real world communication within a variety of professions, as well as continued scholarship and service. Whether you decide to use your Spanish skills to teach others within classroom setting or to communicate with colleagues and clients in a non-school setting, the language preparation that you will receive at Concordia will equip you to successfully interact with those around you.
Concordia NebraskaSpanish: Learning Objectives
Students in the Spanish program at Concordia University, Nebraska will develop the four fundamental language skills in Spanish: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Students will build an understanding and competence in Spanish grammar.
Students will develop insights into characteristics of Hispanic cultures and history, their similarities and their differences.
Students will gain an appreciation of Hispanic cultures and values.
Concordia NebraskaSpanish: Program Goals
Students in the Spanish program at Concordia University, Nebraska will demonstrate proficiency in in speaking, listening, writing and reading in the Spanish language.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the cultures of Spain, Spanish America and U.S. Latinos and terminology and concepts related to the study of literature and literary criticism.
Students will demonstrate the ability to interact compassionately, intelligently and insightfully with other cultures, particularly those of the Spanish-speaking world.
Students will demonstrate competence for continued graduate study or careers in a variety of fields related to the Spanish language.
Concordia Nebraska Spanish: Career Outcomes
High School Spanish Teacher
As a Spanish teacher, you’ll help students learn to speak the language, understand grammar for meaningful communication, learn vocabulary words and study the cultures of those who speak Spanish. In addition to teaching, you would plan lessons, grade papers and tests and work with individual students.
Spanish Professor
Spanish professors instruct students in basic and advanced Spanish language skills. As a Spanish professor, you would help students expand their vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension. You would also guide students in the culture, history and political processes of Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish Interpreter
A Spanish interpreter converts Spanish to English or English to Spanish, either in writing or speaking. As an interpreter, you might work in a courtroom, hospital, business, entertainment, school or government agency. Some interpreters work in a specialty area where they train in industry specific terminology and vocabulary, such as legal or medical interpreters
Concordia NebraskaSpanish: Related Programs
TESOL
The TESOL program at Concordia Nebraska is specifically designed for non-education majors, preparing you to teach English as a second language internationally or in adult ESL programs in universities, refugee centers or community centers in the United States.
Secondary Education
With a degree in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska, you will be equipped to teach grades 7-12, encouraging intellectual and emotional growth at a critical time in the lives of your students. You’ll engage in rich coursework, collaborate with faculty and gain invaluable experience first shadowing a professional teacher and then teaching in your own high school classroom.
World and Intercultural Studies
The world and intercultural studies program at Concordia is a 48 hour cross-disciplinary major designed for students with interests in international service, communication, world missions, language or cultural studies. World and intercultural studies can be an effective stand-alone major, or you can choose to pair it with majors or minors in business, communication, sociology, theology and more so you can combine your passions and find the career that best suits you.
1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
2 Career salary and wages sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.