Spanish

Career opportunities

Demand for Spanish speakers in the workforce continues to climb, thanks to the expansion of the U.S. Spanish-speaking population and their average income – which has more than doubled in the last two decades (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).  

What can you do with a Spanish degree? The BGSU master’s degree in Spanish opens a wide spectrum of professional pathways in the U.S. and internationally. Our graduate program equips students to succeed in many fields that value bilingual communication, cultural competency, analytical thinking and global awareness.

Possible careers with a Spanish degree include: 

• Education and academia. Demand for postsecondary language and literature teachers is expected to steadily increase faster than other occupations over the next decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).  

Graduates may teach in Spanish as high school Spanish teachers (typically gaining licensure or certification alongside their Spanish M.A.) or at the college level. Others may work in curriculum development or language program administration. 

• Translation and interpretation. Translation is a particularly promising field. Opportunities are growing for professional Spanish interpreters in the legal, medical, technical, literary and business contexts. 
• Government and foreign service. A master’s degree in Spanish is highly relevant for careers in public service and international relations. Graduates may work for agencies such as the U.S. Department of State, the Peace Corps and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
• Business and international commerce. Spanish fluency and Hispanic culture insights can be instrumental for global brand development, advertising, digital content, client relations sales, corporate training and cultural consulting. 
• Nonprofit and advocacy work. Many nonprofit organizations need Spanish-speaking professionals to work in multilingual communities to provide culturally competent support and outreach.

Many graduates with a master’s degree in Spanish opt to pursue further academic or professional studies. This Spanish master’s degree lays a solid foundation for those interested in a Ph.D. in Spanish or Hispanic studies, Latin American studies, education or public policy. Some also go on to attend law school or medical school.

Curriculum

The 36-credit hour Spanish M.A. from BGSU offers not only advanced linguistic training, but also a comprehensive understanding of literature, cultural studies, linguistics and pedagogy.  

The curriculum includes academic mentoring and the option to study abroad in Spain for immersive learning. International and domestic internships can be arranged for credit toward the degree. Students also complete a two-part capstone to showcase their skills.  

Graduates acquire advanced Spanish language skills, as well as familiarity with the theoretical issues and research tools in the broad fields of Spanish, Latin American and Caribbean literature, cultural studies and linguistics. They are proficient bilingual communicators with a deep understanding of the Spanish-speaking world and well-situated for careers in the growing number of industries that demand superior communication skills, cross-cultural understanding and critical thinking.

Required courses

Study abroad in Spain

Graduate students working toward a master’s degree in Spanish are encouraged to spend time studying and/or interning abroad. Our half-century-old study abroad program in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, features an on-site director and options for a full academic year or four-week summer study abroad experience.  

Short-term travel experiences have been periodically arranged in Latin America and the Caribbean. Graduate students may secure a scholarship in Spanish studies. Many have used professional development funding to carry out original research domestically and internationally.

Spanish M.A. admissions  

In addition to the admissions application, non-refundable fee and bachelor’s degree transcripts, BGSU M.A. in Spanish applicants must submit:

• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement in Spanish that details your motivation for attending graduate school, why you see yourself qualified for admission, what you hope to achieve in your area of interest and your aspirations upon earning a master’s degree in Spanish
• A Spanish writing sample

International applicants may need to meet additional requirements. The Department of World Languages and Cultures begins reviewing completed applications starting Feb. 15. More information is available from BGSU Graduate Admissions.