Spanish, B.A.
Overview
As a Spanish major at Clark, you’ll learn to see the world through new perspectives — and to use language as a bridge between cultures. Through study abroad, community engagement, and deep exploration of Spanish-speaking histories and stories, you’ll gain the fluency and insight to connect across borders and contribute meaningfully in a multilingual world.
Why Study Spanish at Clark?
- Build core skills of linguistic and cultural competencies that will enable you to live and work in a Spanish-speaking country or community after graduation.
- Learn from faculty members who are native speakers or fully bilingual, and who actively conduct research on diverse aspects of Spanish culture, from contemporary poetics and Puerto Rican identity politics to sexuality and gender studies.
- Engage with Worcester’s rich Hispanic community by participating in courses that connect with local organizations serving the population, studying films at the local Latino Film Festival, or interacting with Hispanic political activists.
“My professors in Clark University’s Spanish department engaged and supported us as we examined literature across cultures. This strong academic foundation proved essential, preparing me for a semester abroad in Valparaíso, Chile. More than just building linguistic skill, this education set me up to be an active ally to Spanish speakers in the United States. I now utilize this foundation daily, helping individuals with state healthcare insurance access mental health services in the Bay Area.”
Bridgette Millette ’15
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a major in Spanish?
A Spanish major opens doors to careers that value bilingual communication, cultural insight, and global perspective. Clark graduates use their Spanish language and intercultural skills in fields like education, law, public service, business, health care, and international relations. Many work in roles such as translators, teachers, immigration advocates, and nonprofit leaders, or continue their studies in graduate and law programs at universities including Harvard, Emory, and NYU. Others bring their bilingual strengths to global organizations and corporations such as JPMorgan Chase, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the New England Medical Center. Wherever you go, your fluency and cultural awareness set you apart in a world that needs multilingual professionals.
What skills will I learn?
As a Spanish major at Clark, you’ll gain advanced fluency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Spanish — but your learning goes much deeper. You’ll learn to interpret cultural perspectives, compare worldviews, and engage thoughtfully across differences. You’ll refine your ability to analyze literature, media, and history; to communicate clearly in diverse settings; and to approach complex social issues with empathy and critical insight. Through study abroad and community engagement, you’ll also strengthen real-world skills like adaptability, collaboration, and cultural fluency — preparing you to lead and connect in a multilingual, global society.
Can I earn an academic achievement award in Spanish?
Theodore and Phyllis Barbera Award for Excellence in Spanish
The Theodore and Phyllis Barbera Award for Excellence in Spanish is awarded to an outstanding senior in Spanish studies.
Is there a Spanish honors program?
During your junior year, you might be accepted into the Spanish honors program. Joining the program means you’ll work closely with a professor to create a thesis on a topic of your choice. Examples of recent honors theses topics are:
- “La Historia Que Se Repite: La Nacion Violenta (Argentina y Mexico)” or “History that Repeats Itself (Argentina and Mexico)”
- “La representación de la mujer en la literatura chilena contemporánea” or “Representations of Femininity in Contemporary Chilean Literature”
- “Interpretación de la ficción breve de Borges” or “An Interpretation of Borges’ Short Fiction”
