Spanish Program Links

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Faculty

Advisement and Registration

Sigma Delta Pi

Spanish Language Resources 

Spanish Program

The US is currently among the top five Spanish-speaking countries in the world with an estimated 50 million Spanish speakers, and the number is rising quickly. According to the US Census Office, by 2050 the Hispanic population will at least double and reach approximately 120 million. Around the world, there are over 500 million Spanish speakers in dozens of countries. These millions of Spanish speakers present countless opportunities. Regardless of the profession you would like to pursue, most businesses, government agencies, graduate schools, and non-profit organizations are actively seeking applicants who are competent in Spanish. Employers value the creativity and critical thinking skills that develop through the study of another language and its culture.

Our graduates can take jobs in multiple fields such as education, government, nonprofit work, communications, law, diplomacy, business, nursing, environmental science, advertising, marketing and social media. For example, K-12 Spanish teachers are needed in New Jersey and across the United States, and bilingual Spanish skills are increasingly in demand for both local businesses and international commerce.

Students majoring in other fields, such as Nursing, Business, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Communication should also consider a minor or double major in Spanish to increase their marketability.

Our faculty prioritize mentoring, excellence in teaching, and working closely with students to create a welcoming learning community.

The renowned faculty members who teach in the program have diverse expertise in such areas as:

Hispanic Literatures and Cultures, Cinema Studies, Linguistics, Bilingual Studies, Language Pedagogy, Transatlantic Studies, Latin American and Latinx Studies, Caribbean Literature, Women Writers, Historical and Political Fictions, Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Theatre and Performance Studies, and many more.

Our students enjoy opportunities to learn and develop outside of the classroom through:

  • Study abroad experiences in Spanish-speaking countries. Our students have traveled to Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, etc.
  • Internships abroad
  • Spanish Club
  • Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honor Society
  • Career development workshops
  • Community engagement
  • Conducting research and presenting at conferences with professors


The BA in Spanish provides a solid preparation for a wide range of careers in a variety of sectors:

Education: teacher (K-12, K-6, P-3, Bilingual, ESL), curriculum specialist, multicultural education and outreach, textbook copy editor, publishing company development specialist or marketer, etc.

Colleges-Universities: research assistant, administrative assistant, associate at international student programs, office of admissions, office of student services, office of financial aid, career services etc.

Services: Non-Profit organizations, health care services, airlines, cruise lines, law enforcement departments, employee training and development, etc.

Government: Dept. of Justice Immigration & Naturalization, intelligence specialist (CIA, FBI), Department of Treasury, Census Bureau, Defense Department, other local, state and federal agencies, Peace Corps. etc.

Communications and Media: TV/radio/Web writer or editor, production crewmember, advertiser for Spanish-speaking markets, web content developer in Spanish, translator/interpreter, etc.

Business: International account representative, international banking officer, customer support, human resources specialist, public relations, marketing, advertising, professional sales, consultant, import/export firms, manager in travel industry restaurants and hotels.

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Students can opt to take a paid or unpaid internship for credit.

William Paterson University provides students with many opportunities for internships in various private corporations, public and non-profit organizations, and agencies in need of Spanish-speaking interns.

Teacher-candidates conduct fieldwork and undertake their clinical experiences in public schools as part of their Education coursework.

The renowned faculty members who teach in the program have diverse expertise in such areas as:

Hispanic Literatures and Cultures, Cinema Studies, Linguistics, Bilingual Studies, Language Pedagogy, Transatlantic Studies, Latin American and Latina/o Studies, Caribbean Literature, Women Writers, Historical and Political Fictions, Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Theatre and Performance Studies, and many more.

See our Faculty's CVs for more information.

Testimonials

I have been given the honor to present with my professor at a national conference and I have worked on research closely with faculty members. These incredible opportunities helped me grow as an individual, a student and beyond.

Catelin Reyes '22

The Spanish Program is a community that professors have built by making connections with us —their students —, by celebrating our accomplishments and by giving us the tools to work with toward professional opportunities. I am very proud to be a part of this community and someday I would love to be as inspiring to students as my professors were to me.

Grace Moreyra '20

The Spanish Program is not just a program, rather it is a family of faculty and staff who know you and truly demonstrate constant care for their students. For any student(s) who are interested in a Spanish Major, you are bound to have a memorable and enjoyable experience. I have received very valuable teachings and knowledge from my professors and I owe my high proficiency of Spanish to them. It is an impactful program that will lead to a variety of professional experiences and opportunities in your future.

Víctor Cotantini '21

More Info

Click below for more information on the Spanish Major course of study.

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Contact: Dr. Maria Tajes