Spanish
As one of our students said, they chose Spanish because, “I knew the importance of being bilingual and the rapid growth of the Spanish-speaking population.” In fact, Spanish is one of the five most common languages on the planet, spoken from Spain and South America to Mexico and the U.S.—which is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. This program is for people who love learning about languages and enjoy being immersed in some of the world’s most diverse cultures.
What will I learn?
With small classes that encourage you to talk and learn in Spanish from the beginning, this program is designed to make you proficient in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. In addition, you’ll study Hispanic culture and linguistics throughout history and modern times as you learn about literature, art, current events and more.
As a student within the Department of Romance Languages and Literature, you'll also have opportunities to learn about other Romance languages and cultures that share common origins and characteristics.
What can I do with a Spanish degree?
Whether you want to help immigrant farmers from Central America, teach Spanish in the U.S. or work for a global financial company, your language skills and cultural expertise can put you ahead of others throughout your career. Popular career paths include:
- Academia and education. Teach at a school or university, advise international students or help develop educational materials.
- International development. Promote human rights, gender justice and other important issues worldwide.
- Medicine and health care. Help people live healthier lives with a career in global public health.
- Publishing and translation. Become an interpreter or media specialist, or work for a publisher or immigration agency.
- Industry, research and consultation. Serve as a diplomat, promote tourism or work in international trade.
Many students also go to graduate school to study language, education, law, business or other fields.
Want to be a teacher?
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
- Save time and money.
- No need to apply to graduate school.
- Be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the for a list of all available majors.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $112,950.00 | N/A | |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A | |
| Interpreters and Translators | $40,540.00 | $19.49 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.