Spanish Major: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Program Type: Undergraduate

Degree Awarded: B.A. in Spanish _{Select the degree to view its requirements and four-year plan.}

Department: World Languages and Literatures

In our Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, students develop language proficiency and critical thinking skills that are indispensable for a variety of career paths: linguistic proficiency to communicate effectively in informal and formal situations in a global environment, cultural awareness and intercultural competence, and appreciation of diversity both in the context of their home culture and globally. Additionally, the Spanish program and the World Languages and Literatures Department offer many international cultural experiences on campus and in the community throughout the school year that immerse students in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.

Program Contacts

Dr. Caryn Connelly
Department Chair
(859)572-7651
connellyc1@nku.edu

Students in the Spotlight

Megan Hodory

Graduating Year: 2019

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish & Integrative Studies (Business, Studio Art, and Honors)

"At Northern Kentucky University, I developed a variety of skills by means of choosing one traditional major, Spanish, and one uncommon major, Integrative Studies. The coursework was twofold. The first step was completing three minors of my own choosing. These ended up being Business, Studio Art, and Honors. The second step was designing and executing a capstone project that served to elucidate the interdisciplinary components of my studies. I tackled this challenge by writing a short story about the accidental clash of two cultures and including dialogue that related to those three areas. I currently work at McKinney and Namei, where I have the privilege of helping lawyers who represent clients from all over the world."

Career: Immigration Case Ancillary at McKinney and Namei, LPA, Newport, KY

View All Stories

Find Your Passions & Build Your Future

Student posting by a mountain in Ecuador

Study Abroad: Our Spanish majors and minors benefit from the partnerships that NKU has with the Universidad de León in Spain and the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, as well as NKU’s participation in KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Study), a non-profit faculty-led study abroad consortium of colleges and universities in Kentucky and surrounding states. We offer funding for study abroad through the Foreign Language Award for International Study (FLAIS). Since it was established in 2005, FLAIS has awarded nearly $40,000 to over 100 language majors and minors to support study abroad experiences. FLAIS is entirely funded by donations from faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

Internships & Career Explorations: Our Spanish majors and minors regularly do internships or volunteer with local non-profit agencies including the Esperanza Latino Center, Su Casa, Santa Maria Community Services, the Read Ready Covington Program, and the Brighton Center. They gain practical skills and knowledge in our professions-oriented classes that include Introduction to Translation, Business Spanish, Legal Spanish and Medical Spanish. We also invite our alumni and working professionals in various careers to speak with current students about job opportunities for language majors.

Career Opportunities: Our students go on to careers in the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky area as Spanish teachers in local public and private schools, as nurses or medical support staff in local hospitals and medical offices, as translators and interpreters in medical or legal settings, as legal staff in law firms, and as staff in non-profit agencies. Specific employers include: Affordable Language Services, American Red Cross Kentucky Region, Hamilton County Job and Family Services, McKinney and Namei, LPA, Santa Maria Community Services, and Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.

Keep exploring. Visit the department website.