Spanish Program Information

Studying another language is an exciting and rewarding experience, not to mention a career path that leads to many opportunities in today's global marketplace. Whether as a major or a minor program, language study increases your marketability and broadens your horizons. Not only will you become proficient in another language, but you will also become sensitized to other cultures (their history, literature, economy, beliefs, etc.).

The Spanish Program offers a variety of courses for all learners and all levels. The introductory and intermediate Spanish courses focus on learning the Spanish language for communication and studying Hispanic cultures for appreciation.

The advanced and graduate Spanish courses continue to refine language use, while exploring literary and cultural topics fundamental to historical and contemporary issues of Spain, the Americas, and the Caribbean.

In all courses and in all locations, classroom activities, such as lecture, group discussion, and pair work, are enhanced by the use of computer technology, music, video, and other techniques that our diverse faculty has acquired through their world experiences.

Through language study you will:

  • Learn and use cross-cultural communication skills
  • Develop a better understanding of other people and different cultures
  • Experience another culture's artistic, literary, socio-political, and historical contributions that have changed and continue to change the world
  • Appreciate and celebrate world diversity
  • Improve your skills in your native language
  • Understand more fully your place, and your native culture's place, on a global scale

Related Spanish Program Information:

  • Why Study Spanish?

    First and foremost, learning Spanish is much more than learning a second language. Languages cannot be separated from their cultural, historical and artistic contexts. All of our Spanish classes, from elementary to graduate level, focus on both communicative language skills and the diversity of Hispanic culture.

    These two elements, language ability and multi-cultural sensitivity, are highly marketable skills in today's world. A brief look at some statistics shows this importance:

    • Spanish is spoken as the official language of approximately 460 million people in 20 independent countries
    • An estimated 50 million Hispanics live in the United States.
    • PA Hispanic population is 5% or 600,000 in 2010.
    • Some reports indicate that the need for foreign language teachers will increase 20% over the next 10 years in the US.
    • Berks County's Hispanic population saw a significant jump - 44.5%, from 24,820 in 2000 to 60,000 in 2010.


    Based on the growth of the Hispanic population and the increase of Spanish-speakers world-wide, bilingual English/Spanish ability and cross-cultural understanding are valued assets within all fields, but especially so within the business world, health care fields, government, education, social work, and law enforcement.

  • Extra Curricular Activities

    ● Sigma Delta Pi - Nationally-recognized Hispanic Honor Society for Spanish majors and minors

    ● Hispanic Film Series - Annually provides movie viewings in Spanish or dealing with related content

    Study abroad
    Kutztown University offers the intriguing opportunity to study abroad and immerse yourself in the culture of Spain, Ecuador or Costa Rica. Learn more about KU's Study Abroad program.

    Career Opportunities
    Based on the growth of the Hispanic population and the increase of Spanish-speakers worldwide, bilingual English/Spanish ability and cross-cultural understanding are valued assets in all fields, but especially so within the business world, health care fields, government, education, social work, and law enforcement.

    • B.S. in Secondary Education/Spanish

      Choosing to specialize in Spanish through Kutztown's Secondary Education program provides students a quality grasp of this language through required courses ranging from Spanish Composition to Advanced Syntax & Stylistics. Study abroad experiences can also be explored in preparation for teaching Spanish.

      The Secondary Education undergraduate curriculum consists of four categories of coursework, and 40 hours of Education Exploration. Graduates of Kutztown's Secondary Education program are certified to teach in grades seven through 12 in a selected area of specialization. Modern language certification is for kindergarten through 12th grade.

      Kutztown University offers a wide range of courses for Spanish B.S. in Secondary Education/Spanish majors. You can read course descriptions within the MyKU Student Information System. The courses are arranged alphabetically. Search by the prefixes SPA, SEU, and EDU.

      Click here to view course descriptions in MyKU

    • Spanish Minor

      Kutztown University also offers a Spanish minor.

      Kutztown University offers a wide range of courses for Spanish minors. You can read course descriptions within the MyKU Student Information System. The courses are arranged alphabetically. Search by the prefix SPA.

      Click here to view course descriptions in MyKU

    • Spanish for Modern Business Minor

      This academic program consists of 21 credits, 15 of which stem from required courses and six from electives. All the courses are dedicated solely to Spanish for Modern Business contexts, providing an in-depth program that complements already existing KU majors while enabling students to be even more prepared for the global environment.

      Internship opportunities: The Washington Center, legal or government agencies, KU's Small Business Development Center/Latino Business Resource Center.

      Required Courses (15 credits )
      Intermediate Spanish for Business I and II

      • Focus on introducing basic business-related vocabulary, presenting a panorama of business contexts, and initiating a business-focused cultural journey.

      Writing in Spanish for the Professional World

      • Delves deeper into professional written Spanish and pursues the standards as set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

      Advanced Business Practices and Cultures I and II

      • Builds upon the foundations introduced previously and expands on the use of language and the study of cultures within the Spanish-speaking business world.

      Electives (6 credits )*
      Introduction to Spanish/English Translation
      Spanish and Entrepreneurship
      International Internship in Spanish**
      The Entrepreneurial Language Professional

      * One of these requirements may be another SPA course with the approval
      of the department chair and the academic advisor.
      ** Strongly encouraged.

    • Interesting Links

      Spanish newspapers online:

      Professional Organizations & Conferences: