Spanish BA

To earn your Spanish BA at UNC, you’ll complete 42–47 credits of Spanish coursework, depending on your chosen concentration: 

• Liberal Arts Concentration: 42 credits in Spanish

Degree requirements – Liberal Arts Concentration

• K–12 Teaching Concentration: 47 credits in Spanish, plus education coursework and student teaching 

Degree requirements – Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12)

You’ll take classes in speaking, writing and grammar, as well as courses in literature, film and Hispanic culture. Advanced courses are taught entirely in Spanish to help you grow your fluency and confidence.

• Spanish  

The Spanish minor is a great fit for any major. With just 18 credits, you’ll build real language skills and learn to communicate across cultures, something that’s valuable in fields like healthcare, education, business and public service. It’s a practical, flexible way to expand your perspective and boost  your career options. 

Learn More – Spanish Minor

• Mexican American Studies 

This 18-credit minor explores the history, culture, and contributions of Mexican Americans, the largest Latino population in the U.S. You’ll study topics like literature, identity, politics and education, while building a stronger understanding of equity, culture and community. A great addition to any major. 

Learn More – Mexican American Studies Minor

 This plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor’s degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance. 

• Spanish BA – Liberal Arts Concentration

Four-Year Plan – Liberal Arts Concentration

• Spanish BA – Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12)

Four-Year Plan – Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) Concentration

Spanish BA – Liberal Arts Concentration 

Love language, culture, and global connection? This path is for you. 

In the Liberal Arts concentration, you’ll strengthen your Spanish speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the cultures and histories of the Spanish-speaking world. Through literature, film, and conversation-based courses, you’ll explore how language connects to identity, tradition, and social change. 

You’ll learn to: 

• Communicate confidently in Spanish across a range of real-life situations 
• Analyze Hispanic literature, film, and cultural texts 
• Understand the historical and social contexts of Spanish-speaking communities 
• Engage with global perspectives and diverse worldviews 
• This concentration is a great fit for students interested in international work, community engagement, graduate school, or careers in fields like business, communication, or public service. 

Learn More – Liberal Arts Concentration

Spanish BA – Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) 

Want to teach Spanish and make an impact in the classroom? Start here. 

The K–12 Teaching concentration prepares you to become a licensed Spanish teacher in Colorado. You’ll build strong language and cultural knowledge while learning how to teach effectively in real classrooms. This includes hands-on teaching experiences and support from experienced faculty and mentors. 

You’ll learn to: 

• Speak, read, write, and teach Spanish with fluency and cultural understanding 
• Create engaging, inclusive lessons for a diverse group of K–12 learners 
• Build classroom management and instructional skills 
• Integrate Hispanic culture, history, and literature into your teaching 
• This concentration includes professional education coursework and a student teaching placement, setting you up for success as a future educator.

Learn More – Licensure: World Languages (Grades K-12) Concentration

If you speak Spanish and want to support bilingual students, this 24-credit endorsement prepares you to teach in classrooms where students learn in both English and Spanish.

You’ll study Spanish language, children’s literature, and how to teach core subjects in Spanish. This endorsement requires completion of the K-12 ESL/CLD Endorsement and Spanish K-12 Endorsement first, plus passing an advanced-level Spanish oral proficiency interview.

It’s perfect for education majors who want to serve diverse communities and help students thrive in two languages.

Learn More – Bilingual Bicultural Education Endorsement

This 18-credit endorsement trains you to teach K–12 students who are learning English. You’ll learn how to teach core subjects in ways that are clear, engaging, and language-friendly, helping English learners build confidence and succeed in every subject.

This endorsement is completed alongside your Elementary, Secondary, or K-12 teaching license and requires a separate application during your freshman year. It’s perfect for future teachers who want to work with multilingual learners and meet a growing need in schools.

Learn More – Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement

You don’t need to major in Spanish to teach it. This 24-credit endorsement is for future educators who want to add Spanish to their license. It gives you the language background and teaching prep you need to lead a Spanish class in middle or high school. More options and more flexibility. No Spanish major required.

Note: You can add this endorsement only if you’re working toward a teaching license in elementary, secondary or K-12 education. 

Learn More – Spanish (Non-Spanish Degree Seeking) Endorsement