Skip Navigation

Spanish

Spanish

Program Description

More than 410 million people speak Spanish as their primary language, and 31 million of them live in the United States. As these numbers continue to grow, it is becoming more and more important for business, travel and communication that students study Spanish. Students in OU's Spanish program read, write and speak the language fluently. They are prepared for a variety of careers, including translator, customs officer, diplomat and travel agent. These students not only gain important reading and writing skills, but they also get insight into and understanding of the society through literature and culture courses.

Many students in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics choose to study abroad, and OU has one of the best study-abroad programs in the country. Students can choose from a wide variety of programs ranging from a few weeks to an academic year. Students gain a better understanding of a language and culture, and many of them make lifelong connections to the country.

students walking on campus

Degree Options

Students majoring in Spanish graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. A student can then choose to pursue a Master of Arts, Master of Arts/Master of Business Administration or Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Intersts & Skills

Students majoring in Spanish typically have interests in cultures and are eager to gain an understanding of how people understand and experience the world. Many students also enjoy traveling and are able to easily adapt to different experiences. High school preparation should, but is not required to, include study of foreign languages and cultures.

Notable Achievements

Faculty members in the Spanish program have won such prestigious awards as the Fulbright Fellowship. They have also been recognized for their accomplishments in publications and have produced a number of books and journal articles.

OU is also home to the literary magazine World Literature Today (WLT), and students have the opportunity to meet with writers from countries around the world. In addition, OU graduate students referee and publish the literary journal PEGASO in affiliation with WLT.

Your Future

Types of Employers

  • Public and private schools
  • Hospitals
  • Local/state government agencies
  • Non-profit (501-c3) organizations
  • FBI, DEA, U.S. Coast Guard and
        Department of Homeland
        Security
  • Child welfare organizations and
        social service departments

Recent Graduates Jobs

  • Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster
        Assistance (USAID),
        Washington, DC.
  • Bilingual Client Specialist,
        180 Medical
  • Fulbright English Teaching
        Assistant (Spain)
  • Teach for America
  • United Nations Development
        Programme, Armenia
  • American Fidelity Bank, benefits
        coordinator
  • Spanish teacher, Heritage Hall,
        Oklahoma City
  • Bilingual Case Manager for
        Law Firm

Experienced Alumni Jobs

  • Police Officer, Oklahoma City
        Police Department
  • Spanish teacher, Battle Mountain
        Public Schools, Nevada
  • Translator, U.S. Federal Court
  • U.S. Secret Service
  • English as a Foreign Language
        Director, Instituto Tepeyac,
        Mexico City
  • Public School Administrator,
        Dallas, Texas
  • Restaurant owner/chef

How much will I make?

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree. 

Contact Us

Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences The University of Oklahoma

Department of Modern Languages, Literature and Linguistics
Phone: (405) 325-7823
Email: shawn.m.gralla-1@ou.edu
Website: modlang.ou.edu