Program Coordinator/Contact
José Álvarez, Associate Professor of Spanish
School of American and Global Studies
Wagner Hall 115
605-688-4273
Program Information
The Spanish major at SDSU consists of language, culture, literature and professional courses to prepare students for careers in which they will use Spanish as a language for communication. The major offers flexibility and can easily be added to another major.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the Spanish major, students should be able to:
- Speak, read and write Spanish at the Intermediate-High or Advanced level
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the cultures and communication cultures of the Spanish-speaking world
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world’s civilizations and their cultural products, such as literatures, arts, political institutions, etc.
Academic Requirements
Major Coursework
A minimum grade of “C” is required for a Spanish course to count towards the major or minor.
Placement
Students who have a background in modern language study before entering the University should take the Placement Examination to determine the appropriate course in which to enroll. Credit may be obtained for courses exempted upon completion of one course in the department, with a grade of “C” or better, and the payment of the established fee to the Testing Center. Please refer to Modern Language Credit under Policies & General Academic Information in the catalog for more detailed information.
Oral Proficiency Interview
An official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is required of all students majoring in Spanish. A minimum ranking of Intermediate Mid is required for all Spanish Majors and Intermediate High for majors with a teaching specialization.
Course Delivery Format
Most courses in the Spanish major are offered face-to-face on campus. Some upper-division courses are offered online, normally during the summer term.
