Spanish programs have been configured to maximize the potential of the student in today’s professional climate as well as to prepare the student for admittance into graduate programs at other institutions. Students who major in Spanish will develop fluency in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and will study the culture, history and literature of Spain and the Americas.

In addition to general linguistic and cultural knowledge, the major in Spanish Translation will provide students with professional training, tools, skills, and hands-on experience to join the Translation profession. During the program of study, students will be introduced to the main translation techniques and problem solving strategies, software and computer assisted tools, and will complete general translation exercises. Later in the program, students will delve into the translation of more specialized texts, in particular in the legal and medical disciplines -both fields in very high demand. As a culminating experience, students will complete a capstone in the form of an internship. 

Students competing the Spanish Translation major are strongly encouraged to minor in Criminal Justice and/or Health Sciences, as a good understanding of the subject matter as well as terminology acquisition are key to successful professional translators.

A minimum grade of 70 (C-) is required for all SP major courses.

Placement for Spanish Courses: Students should contact Dr. Elizabeth Osborne (eosborne1@worcester.edu) for appropriate language placement/assessment.  Meeting with the Language Placement director will allow incoming students with the appropriate language levels to satisfy prerequisites and register in upper level courses.

The following are intended to be general placement guidelines to help students with previous experience with Spanish:

0-1 years of Spanish in high school:  SP 101 Beginning Spanish I

1-2 years of Spanish  in high school:  SP 102 Beginning Spanish II

2 years of Spanish in high school:  SP 210 Intermediate Spanish I

3 years or more of Spanish in high school:  SP 211 Intermediate Spanish II

4 or more years of Spanish in high school:  300-level courses

Native or Heritage Speakers of Spanish should enroll in 300-level courses

Study-Abroad opportunities are available for language study in several Spanish-speaking countries.

Students who have earned a Seal of Biliteracy will received 12 WSU credits in that language. Students who have earned a Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and want to pursue a Major in Spanish Translation already have credit for SP210 and SP211 and should enroll in SP321.

Students with previous knowledge of or background in the language are also encouraged to take the CLEP Exam at Academic Success, in order to receive Worcester State University credit for SP-101, SP-102, SP-210 and SP-211 (up to 12 institutional credits).

Free of charge Spanish tutoring services are offered daily during regular Fall and Spring semesters both at the Spanish Clinic (Sullivan 302-B) and through remote appointments via Zoom, which are also available on select days.

Requirements for a Major in Spanish

¹

6 credits maximum: These courses may be waived by oral and/or written examination

²

Students with advanced knowledge of Spanish should begin at 300-level.

³

Required of all students unless exempted by the Department of World Languages.

A minimum grade of 70 (C-) is required for all courses in the Spanish Major.

Sample Timetable for Completion of Degree: Spanish

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation.  First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation.  For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.