Spanish at Lakeland University

Earn Your Spanish Degree & Gain Experience

The United States is a bilingual nation, having the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world.

Lakeland’s Spanish program allows students to acquire linguistic as well as cultural proficiency. We strive to provide our students with a well-balanced, ambitious program while integrating many initiatives and projects led by students.

Cooperative Education

U.S. 2nd largest Spanish speaking country in world

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Interested in a Spanish degree from Lakeland University? Contact us today!
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Spanish at Lakeland University

Spanish at Lakeland University

There is a need in the job market for bilingual speakers. The Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies have reported that bilingual job postings across all sectors have tripled between 2010 and 2019, showing that 71% of business leaders plan to grow in markets where English is not the primary language and they are willing to pay bilinguals between 5% to 20% higher per hour than the base rate.

Students enrolling in the Spanish program evidence the ability to immerse themselves in the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world through coursework, projects and research.

What Makes Our Program Unique?

  • Our Spanish program offers a well-balanced route for the acquisition of linguistic as well as professional skills aiming at preparing Lakeland Spanish Majors/Minors for a highly competitive, interconnected world that has an ever-growing demand for bilingual professionals.
  • Our class sizes are perfect for personalized education, as well as one-on-one attention in tutoring services.
  • Our program offers experiential learning by allowing students to use the skills learned in the classroom in jobs with local businesses through Lakeland’s Cooperative Education. Examples include translation and interpreting, Spanish for teaching, digital humanities and intercultural communication.
  • Our program offers Spanish heritage and bilingual speakers a track to professionally enhance their Spanish knowledge traditionally acquired at home.
  • Our program gives students a competitive edge and distinct advantage in the global market.
  • Incorporates a well-balanced route for the acquisition of linguistic and professional skills.
  • Offers a number of elective courses in the target language. (e.g., literature, Spanish film, Spanish for business).
  • Pairs with an Education major for teaching certification.

What career paths could you pursue upon graduation?

According to the Economist, you can earn between $50,000 to $125,000 more just because you know a foreign language! This makes a Spanish major a lucrative choice with so many well-paying careers for Spanish majors.

Here is a selection of top 10 jobs usually pursued:

There are hundreds of different kinds of writers, and thousands of job openings for bilingual writers who can bring stories and products to life on paper. From book authors to bloggers, for which Spanish majors are perfect for this role as they have excellent writing and proofreading skills.

Translators have a starting salary at around $32,080 yet this number rapidly goes up with experience. The highest earners earn more than $77,000 per year, while the average salary is $50,187.

Between 2019 and 2029, employment of interpreters and translators is expected to rise by 20%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Washington DC has a huge need for bilingual speakers to help put government and political documents into other languages. As a result, it’s one of the top locations for translators! The median salary at this location is $68,722 with the top 10% of earners receiving over $111,000.

Many people mistakenly believe that interpreters and translators are the same profession. Interpreters work with spoken words, whereas translators only work with written documents.

The starting salary for interpreters should be $33,320. The middle compensation for translators is $44,312, while the most generously compensated mediators make more than $77,000.

Through their interactions with other nations and international organizations, foreign service officers act as ambassadors for the United States government abroad. Promoting and safeguarding U.S. political and economic interests abroad is their responsibility.

The field of foreign services is highly sought after. Truth be told, practically 90% of unfamiliar help officials stay in this field forever. The starting salary is approximately $55,000, but after the second year of service, it rises to approximately $85,000.

The Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization of the United Nations is UNESCO. Through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture, this non-profit organization is committed to promoting world peace and security.

UNESCO provides a plethora of opportunities for those who are interested in culture through its 53 Field Offices and Institutes worldwide and headquarters in Paris, France. Official salaries start at around $43,866 per year.

Social work is a rewarding career that aims to assist those in need in the community. Social specialists work at emotional well-being facilities, schools, clinics, from there, the sky is the limit.

Social specialists make a normal of $49,022 each year yet a graduate degree in friendly work can assist you with finding administrative roles in the field. On the off chance that you love helping other people and are great at handling tough spots, social work may be appropriate for you!

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is in charge of managing legal immigration, employs immigration officers. They research and examine applications, petitions, and documentation of possible settlers. In addition, they evaluate applicants' credibility through interviews. When it comes to denying or granting petitions that can have a significant impact on people's lives, these officers play a crucial role.

Immigration officers have a very high job rate of satisfaction and earn an average of $59,789 per year.

On the off chance that you love to travel, think about becoming an airline steward. Flight attendants are entitled to free roaming around the world! Their responsibility is to guarantee traveler security and solace during the long excursion. From giving food and drink to dealing with client objections, they are the travelers' primary resource on air.

Compensations starts at around $41,000 each year however goes up with experience and the area worked.

Managers of business development find and capitalize on new business opportunities. This versatile job does everything necessary to establish a successful business, from networking to cold calling.

Spanish majors can succeed in this position by utilizing their communication and problem-solving abilities. With an average annual salary of $74,476 and a job satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5, this is one of the highest-paying careers for Spanish majors.

One of the most popular careers for Spanish majors is teaching! To meet the high demand for Spanish teachers, the United States is desperately in need of more. Teachers in high schools earn an average of $50,701 per year, but their salaries rise as they progress through college.

To teach in middle or secondary school, you just need a four-year college education and instructing confirmation. Professors at colleges are paid more and require further qualifications.

Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Spanish from Lakeland University will be able to:

  • Demonstrate appropriate skills in reading Spanish.
  • Demonstrate command of written expression in Spanish.
  • Demonstrate listening comprehension of spoken Spanish.
  • Demonstrate competence speaking Spanish appropriately, including conversational skills.
  • Illustrate Spanish history and culture, including daily living patterns, societal structures, institutions, value systems, and cultural practices.
  • Analyze works of Spanish literature.
  • Experience immersion in a Spanish program abroad, involving cultural comparisons and practice of the target language.
  • Pass ACTFL oral proficiency exam with placement in Intermediate High category or better.
  • Pass ACTFL written exam with placement in Intermediate High category or better.
  • Demonstrate competence and abilities related to the specific Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) standards.

First Time Freshman

  • Step 1: Complete an application online.
  • Step 2: Submit official high school transcripts directly to Lakeland University.

Transfer Students

  • Step 1: Complete an application online.
  • Step 2: Request official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended to be sent directly to Lakeland University.
    • Students who have NOT completed 12 transferrable credits MUST submit official high school transcripts.

Apply Now

You already passed your first test, you are interested in applying to Lakeland and learning more about your opportunities to success! Click the button below to being the application process. 

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Admission Requirements

Once your application is received, your Lakeland University admissions counselor will be in touch.

  • Lakeland University accepts a high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or the equivalent of a high school diploma.
  • Lakeland University accepts transfer students who have earned at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and are in good standing at other accredited institutions of higher learning.
  • We review each application on an individual basis.

*Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted for students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.75 to 1.99 if the academic experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than two years ago. Furthermore, typically students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.50 to 1.75 will only be considered if the poor academic performance experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than five years ago. Students receiving an exception will be admitted conditionally.

Meet Our Spanish Faculty

Main Campus (Traditional) |
Christina Mirisis

Christina Mirisis

Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish

Contact us to learn more about the Spanish degree at Lakeland University.

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