Spanish

According to 2024 census estimates, nearly one of every five residents of the United States speaks Spanish in the home. The U.S. is currently the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Wake Forest’s Spanish major prepares students to become global citizens by developing advanced-level language skills and deep knowledge of the rich diversity of Hispanic cultures.

• Spanish is currently one of the most popular majors at WF and the overall most popular second major. In today’s world, there is no career path in which you would not benefit from knowing Spanish.
• The Spanish major offers six distinct concentrations that complement careers in medicine, business, teaching, translation, interpreting, and linguistics.
• Spanish offers students diverse opportunities to engage directly with native speakers of Spanish, including coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, mentored research projects, travel, and study abroad. 

The Spanish degree is offered as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a minor.

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Our model and curriculum educate the whole person and often help students discover interests they had never previously discovered. Students generally take 100-200 level courses during their first year of college, while registering for higher level courses as upperclassmen.

Sample courses^* that you may take as a Spanish student include:

* Course availability and offerings can change at any time. Refer to the Academic Bulletin to view all major requirements.

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The major in Spanish includes as a key component an Oral Proficiency Experience (OPE) in a Spanish language setting in the U.S. or abroad. This period of regular interaction with native speakers applies your language skills in real-world situations, developing your confidence and intercultural skills. There are two options to satisfy the OPE:

• A semester of study abroad. Wake Forest offers programs in Spain and Latin America that include internships, lodging with a host family, and extensive travel.
• A semester-long internship in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest partners with different community service providers to offer placements in the areas of education, mentoring, legal services, healthcare, social services, and business.

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Joining a club or organization is a great way to get involved and do more with your major. Our Spanish program students participate in the following programs:

• Tertulia (Conversation hour)
• Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish Honor Society)
• Puedo Leer (After school program)
• Organization of Latin American Students
• Spanish Variation and Change Lab
• Center for Global Programs and Studies

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Careers that often interest Spanish majors, and fields our graduates work in, include:

• Business
• Law
• Medicine
• Education
• The Foreign Service 
• Journalism
• Interpreting
• Translation
• Language Engineering and AI
• Social work

Recent Spanish graduates have worked in particularly large numbers in finance, law, health care, and higher education.