Hispanic Studies, Spanish (BA)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Spanish
Concentration: Hispanic Studies
Program Code: 3247

About This Major . . .

Spanish majors at Colorado Mesa University take classes which provide knowledge and skills intended to produce effective communication in Spanish as well as an understanding of the relationship of the Spanish language and its cultures to the world in which we live. Spanish and Hispanic Studies majors gain valuable insights into Peninsular and Latin-American language and literature as well as their histories and cultures. Students are also introduced to the linguistic properties of the Spanish language, with a focused study of Spanish phonetics and phonology. Students also take classes which provide insights into Spanish in the professions, such as translation, interpreting, and medical. Spanish graduates work in a variety of professions, where they apply their cultural competencies. In addition to that, many continue their studies in graduate schools.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Express themselves coherently in written and oral Spanish. (Communication Fluency)
    2.
  2. Apply knowledge of the structure of the Spanish language, including syntax, phonetics/phonology, and morphology in speech and writing. (Applied Learning)
    3.
  3. Demonstrate an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of important literary and artistic movements/works, linguistics, history, translation, interpretation, and/or cultural aspects in relation to the Spanish-speaking world. (Specialized Knowledge)
    4.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the linguistic variations that exist in the Spanish-speaking world. (Specialized Knowledge)
    5.
  5. Develop a research project focused on the application of Spanish in an area of the student’s choosing (e.g. analyzes significant literary movements/works and the authors; the application of Spanish in a professional context; second language acquisition or teaching methodologies). (Critical Thinking)
    6.
  6. Compare commonalities and differences between Hispanic and other U.S. cultures. (Critical Thinking)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 110Mathematical Investigations-GTMA13
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 2
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab4
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

(6 semester hours, must earn a “C” or better in each course)

  • Any combination of FLAS 212, FLAS 301, FLAS 302, and FLAS 303 may also be used to satisfy the requirements of a major in which there exists a foreign language requirement.
Two consecutive classes in the same foreign language 16
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Dependent incoming Spanish proficiency level, either FLAS 111 & FLAS 112 or FLAS 211 & FLAS 213 are strongly recommended as these are prerequisites for other courses required for completion of this degree.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(42 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework in this area.)

  • FLAV 496, FLAS 422, FLAS 424, and topics courses may be taken more than once as long as the title/content of each course differs. Permission may be required to take some Topics courses. Check with the professor. FLAV courses count for the Spanish major only when taught in Spanish and as approved by your advisor.
Core Courses
FLAS 300Spanish Composition and Grammar3
FLAS 304Advanced Oral Production and Composition3
FLAS 305Advanced Spanish Grammar and Spanish English Contrasts3
FLAS 311History and Culture of Spain3
FLAS 312History and Culture of Latin America3
FLAS 323Introduction to Hispanic Literature I3
FLAS 324Introduction to Hispanic Literature II3
FLAS 341Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics3
FLAS 441Applied Phonetics and Phonology3
FLAS 498Spanish Senior Practicum3
Hispanic Studies
FLAS 424Advanced Hispanic Literature3
or FLAS 446 Spanish Language Variation
Applied Studies
Select one of the following:3
FLAS 431
Spanish for Medical and Social Services
FLAS 433
Spanish for the Professions
FLAS 434
Introduction to Translation
FLAS 435
Introduction to Interpreting
Total Semester Credit Hours36
Restricted Electives
Select two additional 300- or 400-level FLAS or FLAV courses6
Total Semester Credit Hours6

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 35 semester hours.

Select electives35
Total Semester Credit Hours35
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
FLAS 111 First-Year Spanish I 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - History 3
MATH 110 Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 (or higher) 3
FLAS 112 First-Year Spanish II 3
KINA Activity 1
General Elective 2
 Semester Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
FLAS 211 Second-Year Spanish I 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
FLAS 213 Spanish Conversation and Grammar 3
FLAS 300 Spanish Composition and Grammar 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
FLAS 304 Advanced Oral Production and Composition 3
FLAS 305 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Spanish English Contrasts 3
General Electives (3 courses) 9
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
FLAS 312 History and Culture of Latin America 3
FLAS 324 Introduction to Hispanic Literature II 3
FLAS 341 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics 3
General Electives (2 courses) 6
 Semester Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
FLAS 311 History and Culture of Spain 3
FLAS 323 Introduction to Hispanic Literature I 3
FLAS 441 Applied Phonetics and Phonology 3
Hispanic Studies Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
FLAS 498 Spanish Senior Practicum 3
Applied Studies Elective 3
Restricted Electives (2 courses) 6
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours120

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.