There are 40 million Spanish speakers in the United States, and the Spanish-speaking population is growing rapidly. With over 400 million speakers, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the world. Spanish is an official language on four continents and is a native language in 21 countries, including the United States.

About the Major

As a Spanish major at Ohio Wesleyan, you will acquire the ability to read, write, and converse in Spanish at a proficient level, while also gaining an understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that make up the Hispanic world. At the advanced level, you will have the opportunity to take courses that delve deeper into a variety of topics related to the Spanish language, cultures, literatures, and cinemas, in their specific sociohistorical and geographical contexts, and in dialogue with other languages spoken in Latin America and Spain.

In some courses you will learn to analyze and interpret authentic cultural materials with an awareness of the sociocultural, historical and political contexts in which cultural and artistic productions take place. In other courses, you have the chance to think about language scientifically as you study topics in linguistics ranging from the sounds and structures of Spanish to language acquisition and bilingualism.

Study Abroad & Immersion

All Spanish majors must satisfy an immersion requirement. This can be done in one of the following ways:

  • Complete an accredited Spanish study abroad program approved by the department. Currently OWU offers programs in fall, spring and summer. It must be a minimum of 8 weeks in length and transfer at least one unit of credit at the intermediate level or above to count toward the Spanish major or minor. Study abroad can be one of the most valuable experiences of your college education.
  • Show that you have studied an academic year (at least 9 months) in a Spanish-language high-school or university.
  • Document that you lived for one calendar year (12 months) abroad in a Spanish language immersion environment.
  • Be a heritage Spanish speaker who can show, by assessment, to possess an intermediate-high level of Spanish proficiency.
  • Demonstrate that you are a native Spanish speaker having grown up speaking Spanish as your primary language, either in the U.S. or in a Spanish-speaking country.
  • In special circumstances, you may submit a formal petition to the Spanish faculty for exemption from this requirement. Petitions should include official documentation that explains why you may not be able to adequately fulfill the immersion requirement during your time at Ohio Wesleyan.

Did you earn the Seal of Biliteracy in high school?

Beginning in Fall 2025, the Department of World Languages and Cultures will award college credit to incoming students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Students who present the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish upon entry shall be exempt from SPAN 110 and 111 and granted one unit of credit for SPAN 225. This means they will have satisfied the "Learn a Second Language" core competency requirement.

They will also have one unit of credit (SPAN 225) toward a Spanish major or minor.

They will not be required to take the placement test but are encouraged to sign up for an intermediate-level Spanish course (SPAN 226, 250, 310, or 350), if they wish to continue their language study.

Earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy

OWU language students now can earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an internationally recognized credential that allows them to highlight their linguistic achievements when applying for jobs or graduate school.

Highlights

Graduate Outcomes

Katy Wood '20

Academic Support Coordinator for the Sagan Academic Resource Center at OWU
MAJOR(S): Spanish and Psychology
OWU CONNECTION EXPERIENCE: Study-abroad in Salamanca, Spain

More About Katy

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Department Contact Info

Location

University Hall 212
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Office hours: 8:30 am -12:00 pm
P 740-368-3667
E wlc@owu.edu

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Department Contact

Chair:  Andrea Colvin
Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages & Cultures – Spanish
University Hall 210
740-368-3682
arcolvin@owu.edu

Academic Assistant: Beth Fedoush
740-368-3667
bmfedoush@owu.edu