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Online bachelor's in Spanish degrees provide flexible language and cultural education, covering Spanish linguistics, literature, and cultural studies. These programs enhance your proficiency and prepare you for careers in education, translation, and international business. 

Earning a Spanish bachelor's degree online is an ideal way to prepare for careers in international business, journalism, education, public relations, marketing, and especially as interpreters and translators. This degree helps graduates develop the Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge that will aid them in Spanish-speaking workplaces, here and abroad. 

Online Spanish programs usually lead to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish, which typically requires the completion of 120 credit hours. The coursework establishes a strong foundation in the language, culture, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries, giving learners a broader, interdisciplinary view of the Spanish-speaking world. To aid students in developing proficiency in speaking and comprehending the language, most upper-level classes are in Spanish only.

Graduates are expected to reach advanced levels of speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in the Spanish language. In addition to Spanish major courses and electives, degree requirements include a liberal arts core of writing, humanities, fine arts, social science, math, and physical sciences courses. Spanish majors may also be required to complete an internship or to study abroad through an approved partner program. These learning opportunities give students a chance to apply their knowledge of Spanish in real-world situations. 

If you'd like to learn more about the most cost-effective online Spanish programs, review our guides to affordable Spanish bachelor's degrees and affordable Spanish master's degrees.

Spanish majors may take introductory and advanced Spanish language courses, as well as courses about Spanish and Latin American history and culture.

• Business Spanish: Students taking Business Spanish learn how to use Spanish in the workplace. This may include unique vocabulary terms that may not otherwise be included in most intermediate Spanish classes. The course also covers business etiquette and communication skills, with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking and bilingual work environments.
• Conversational Spanish: Conversational Spanish gives students the skills they need to hold conversations in Spanish. Students learn common terms and phrases while developing conversational skills that will enable them to speak with native Spanish speakers. This introductory-level class is designed for students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish.
• Spanish Literature: Spanish majors often study not only the language of Spain but also the culture. This class introduces students to works of classic and modern Spanish literature, including novels, poetry, drama, and more. Students strive to gain a deeper understanding of trends and themes in Spanish literature while gaining greater facility with the Spanish language.
• Spanish Grammar and Composition: Spanish Grammar and Composition provides students with in-depth instruction on grammar. Students learn how to speak Spanish in a way that is grammatically correct. They also gain written communication skills in this language, which can prepare them for careers that might require Spanish.

People with Spanish online degrees may pursue careers as foreign language teachers, translators, and interpreters — all of which require a bachelor's degree, at minimum. Because variations of Spanish are so widely used throughout the U.S. and across Latin American countries, professionals find Spanish language skills valuable in almost any field, from business and tourism to healthcare and social work.

Completing a Spanish online program may qualify you for one of the following occupations:

work to convert information from one language to another. Spanish majors who decide to pursue a career as an interpreter may work to translate English to Spanish or vice versa. This may include in-person and on-the-spot translation in environments like courtrooms, schools, and medical facilities. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lumps interpreters and into a single category, but the roles are distinct. Like interpreters, translators convert messages from one language to another, but instead of focusing on in-person communication, translators primarily focus on written texts and documents. This can include everything from translating poetry and novels to subtitles for videos to important government documents.

help high school students develop Spanish language skills and introduce them to Spanish culture and Hispanic literature. Spanish teachers may work in either public schools or private schools. Their duties include planning lessons, instructing students, and grading assignments and exams. Additional teaching certifications and licenses may be necessary, depending on the state and institution where the teacher works.

instruct students whose first language is not English. This can include students who have moved to the United States from other countries as well as students whose primary home language is not English. These teachers help students develop their speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing skills in English. A Spanish major can be helpful for prospective ESL instructors since it gives individuals the skills to communicate with Spanish-speaking students.

Pursuing a Spanish degree online has a wide variety of benefits. Perhaps the most important is that you'll develop fluency in the Spanish language. Not only is this a personally and intellectually enriching endeavor, but it can also help you improve your communication skills and even unlock new career opportunities.

A degree in Spanish qualifies you for jobs that require advanced knowledge of Spanish. For example, your degree may lead you to a career in translation and interpretation in the public or private sector. You could also apply your knowledge of Spanish in retail, business, and customer service occupations.

You may also enjoy the benefits of enrolling in a fully online program in Spanish. In general, distance education programs may be more affordable, and they typically offer more flexibility than traditional, on-campus programs. In online courses, you'll access lectures and coursework, participate in class discussions, and submit assignments at your convenience as long as you meet the instructor's deadlines. 

However, online learning is not necessarily the best choice for every student. If you feel you require more structure or want more interaction with your instructors and classmates, you may prefer an on-campus program. 

Not sure if an online Spanish degree is right for you? Consider some of your many other options, such as an online English degree or an affordable online education degree.

Among the career options for graduates with degrees in Spanish are jobs as translators or interpreters, which have a median salary of per year (as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Depending on the degree curriculum, graduates may also become licensed high school teachers, who make a median yearly salary of .

Although both of these degrees may prepare graduates for some similar roles — such as in translation or foreign language teaching positions — a degree in linguistics involves the scientific study of language itself. Linguistics majors study the structure and components of language: sound, words, and sentence formation. Additionally, they delve into the purpose and evolution of language as a whole. 

Students majoring in a foreign language, on the other hand, deep-dive into the language, literature, and culture of a country, with the goal of becoming a fluent speaker in that language.

People with online degrees in Spanish may pursue careers as foreign language teachers, translators, and interpreters — all of which require a bachelor's degree, at minimum. Because Spanish is so widely spoken, professionals find Spanish language skills useful in almost any occupation, from business and tourism to healthcare and social work. 

Becoming a foreign language teacher may be the ambition of most Spanish majors. Those in this role work in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as at the university level and in the private sector. They must plan classes and exams, and employ language learning methodologies which they learn at the bachelor's and master's degree level. Additional teaching certifications and licenses may be necessary, depending on the state and institution where the teacher works.

What Are Next Steps?

After obtaining a bachelor's degree online, students can go on to pursue an online master's degree in Spanish. These degrees come in a variety of forms that build upon a student’s undergraduate education and train them to apply their skills in research and education. Some institutions offer online Master of Arts in Teaching of Languages, while others offer more focused Master of Arts in Spanish degrees, with concentrations in either linguistics or literature. Either online degree prepares a student for job opportunities teaching Spanish at all levels.