Major

The major in Spanish consists of nine courses and a comprehensive examination or, with faculty approval, a senior thesis. The Spanish Comprehensive Exam consists of two parts: 1) a Standardized Proficiency Exam that assesses students' mastery of the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and 2) a Cultural/Historical test that assesses students' knowledge of the Hispanic World

Students who are exempt from the two-semester general education language requirement must complete eight courses above the 102 level plus the comprehensive exam or senior thesis. Exemption is determined by students' score on the WebCAPE Language Placement Test.

The following are required for the major:

  • SP 207 Spanish: Written Expression
  • At least two 300 level courses
  • At least one 400 level course

Native speakers who qualify, as ascertained by the Spanish faculty, have three courses toward the major waived. They must complete six courses at the 300/400 level (including two 300 level courses and at least one 400 level course), as well as a comprehensive examination or, with faculty approval, a senior thesis.

All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better. All 300/400 level courses fulfill the Humanities requirement for general education.

Spanish majors are expected to speak the language well enough to be rated at the Intermediate-High level of proficiency as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and are therefore strongly urged to spend at least one semester abroad. The Office of Global Education will assist students in identifying appropriate programs. Please note that all study abroad courses intended to count toward the Spanish major must be previously discussed with the aforementioned office and approved by the student’s Spanish major mentor prior to their departure for their study abroad site and their enrollment in said courses. These courses must also be approved by the registrar as transfer credit. A maximum of three transfer courses can count towards the Spanish major. Students are also encouraged to participate in Eckerd's language-intensive winter terms offered in Spain and Latin America. Each of these count as one course toward the Spanish major or minor.

Majors who transfer credit (from U.S. or abroad) are required to take at least one 400-level Spanish course at Eckerd.

Cultural and linguistic proficiency in Spanish increases marketability and career opportunities beyond graduation, as well as prepares students for an increasingly global and competitive society. Spanish majors continue with graduate and post-graduate studies, while others find rewarding careers in education, law, social work, business, and the sciences.

The minor in Spanish consists of five courses. Students who are exempt from the two-semester general education language requirements must complete four courses above the 102 level. Exemption is determined by students’ score on the WebCAPE Language Placement Test. Native speakers must complete four courses at the 300/400 level.

Minors who transfer credit (from the U.S. or abroad) are required to take at least one advanced Spanish course at Eckerd.