University at Buffalo (UB)
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.
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.
Let’s start with studying abroad, which one student said was, “undoubtedly the best decision I’ve ever made.” As a Spanish major, you’ll be strongly encouraged to spend at least a semester taking classes in a Spanish-speaking country such as Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica or Mexico.
Closer to campus, many students do internships—including tutoring international students in local schools. These real-world experiences help you improve your language skills and cultural awareness.
At UB, you can also collaborate with faculty on research projects, join student clubs (including language groups), and make new friends at film screenings, conversation tables and other events.
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:
Many students also go to graduate school to study language, education, law, business or other fields.
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the UB Teach website for a list of all available majors.
Want to be surrounded by Spanish experts who care about you and your success? Then let’s talk about the exceptional professors and teachers you’ll find at UB.
Our faculty have edited and published numerous books, and have shared their work in leading publications such as the "Journal of Catalan Studies," "Romance Quarterly" and "Bulletin of Hispanic Studies." They have served on editorial boards and have been active members in professional groups such as the Latin American Studies Association.
Throughout the department, you'll find faculty members who specialize in a variety of Romance languages and cultures, giving you even more opportunities to explore and learn. Of course, our professors have also earned numerous honors for their work with students, including the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.