World Languages and Cultures

Everything you need to know about Spanish Program at CWU

Did you know that the United States is home to the second largest Spanish speaking population in the world? Linguistic proficiency and cultural fluency in Spanish opens many doors, and is an advantage to any career. Consider choosing Spanish if you would like to work in business, government, education, healthcare, social work, community organizing, tourism, agriculture, construction and more!

The Spanish program at CWU recognizes Spanish as a colonialist language in the Americas, and a primary language of many communities in the U.S., including in Kittitas and Yakima valleys. We are committed to foster a safe learning space that celebrates community, connects to heritage, nourishes belonging, and embraces access to education for all.

Why study Spanish at CWU?

Already Know Spanish? Opportunities for Bilingual Students

• We have a dedicated academic track for students who grew up with Spanish language or already know some Spanish through family and community. Spanish Heritage Program serves diverse needs of bilingual Spanish-English students, and helps them realize their full bilingual potential.
• Spanish Translation & Interpretation Certificate is a 20-25 credit program that can be completed in one year and is designed for proficient speakers of Spanish, who seek careers in translation.

Hands-On Learning for Career Readiness

• Spanish programs offers three specializations meant to enhance students' career readiness and equip them with practical skills in demand in the job market.
• Translation & Interpretation prepares students to become certified translators and interpreters in the state of Washington.
• Spanish Teaching prepares students to become certified K-12 educators in Washington.
• Applied Linguistics provides foundational education in Spanish sociolinguistics and practical experience in linguistics data collection, processing and analysis
• In the Spanish program you have many options to practice your Spanish in the real world with community service learning, internships, and more. 

Student Resources and Opportunities

• Spanish program offers small, student-centered classes, individualized advising and study plans.
• Tutoring is available for all students of Spanish through PALs in Brooks Library.
• Spanish students can engage with a unique CECWA project to develop research skills in linguistic data collection and analysis, human subject research, and community service learning. 

Language and Culture Immersion

• We offer different study abroad options to suit your needs. We have a direct partnership with the University of León, Spain. Visit Study Abroad to learn more about other opportunities.
• Spanish program is home to a unique e-learning project S.T.E.L.L.A. that integrates language immersion through virtual exchanges with Colombia as early as First Year Spanish classes. The program culminates in a spring break faculty-led study abroad program in Medellín, Colombia.

Dr. Nathalie Kasselis and Spanish students on a tour of a coffee plantation in Medellín, Colombia, 2024.

Degree Options

• Spanish Major BA, Applied Linguistics Specialization
• Spanish Major BA, Spanish Teaching Specialization
• Spanish Major BA, Translation and Interpretation Specialization (also a stand alone certificate)
• Spanish Major, BA, no specialization - mix and match electives to learn a little bit of everything
• Spanish Minor

New to the Language?

If you've never studied Spanish before, just sign up for SPAN 151 starting in the Fall quarter so you can begin your first-year Spanish language sequence.

Already Know Some Spanish?

Spanish runs in my family…

If you grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, we provide an alternate set of courses for Heritage Language Learners of Spanish (Heritage Spanish). Heritage learners are students who have been exposed to Spanish in their homes or communities from a young age. As a consequence, they have developed a personal connection to Spanish and understand and/or speak the language with varying degrees of proficiency. The Heritage Spanish program at Central Washington University offers classes for every level, from beginning to advanced.

If you have questions about placement or about where to begin, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrea Herrera-Dulcet: andrea.herrera-dulcet@cwu.edu