Spanish Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in The United States

Spanish Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in The United States

Spanish language and literature at a US university covers far more than grammar: students study the literatures, cultures and linguistics of Spain, Latin America and the Spanish-speaking communities of the United States itself. Most universities teach it in a department of Spanish and Portuguese or of Romance languages, alongside Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian studies. The schools on this page include large public universities, private colleges and a few study abroad organisations that send American students to Spanish-speaking countries.

How the degrees are organised

• Bachelor's degrees (BA or BS) with a major in Spanish, usually four years
• Minors and certificates, for example in Business Spanish, combined with another major
• Master's (MA) and PhD programmes in Hispanic literatures, cultures and linguistics

EducationUSA explains that US undergraduate education is based on the liberal arts and sciences: students take classes in a wide variety of subjects besides their major, and the bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study. A Spanish major is therefore one part of a broader degree. At The University of Texas at Austin, for example, a major in Spanish requires 27 hours of upper-division coursework on top of the core and liberal arts requirements. The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers the Spanish major as a BA or a BS, with an honours option that includes a two-semester senior thesis, and a Certificate in Business Spanish.

The majors aim at advanced oral and written proficiency, knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literatures, and an introduction to linguistics. At graduate level, UW-Madison offers MA and PhD options in Spanish literature and culture, linguistics and Portuguese, and UT Austin's PhD covers Iberian and Latin American literatures and cultures, Luso-Brazilian cultural and media studies, and Iberian and Latin American linguistics.

Heritage speakers and placement

Because Spanish is widely spoken in the United States, many departments run separate courses for heritage learners: students who grew up hearing or speaking Spanish at home. UT Austin has a four-course Heritage Spanish track focused on bilingual and bicultural literacy, and its first two courses fulfil the lower-division language requirement that other students complete in three semesters. UW-Madison has placement tests, retroactive credits and specific guidance for native and heritage speakers. Native speakers from Latin America or Spain should ask about placement before enrolling, so that they start at the right level.

Where to study

The 141 schools listed are spread across the country, with several in Austin, Philadelphia, Boston and Denver. Besides UT Austin and UW-Madison, the list includes The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, San Diego State University, Penn State, Northwestern University, Duke University, the University of Miami and Yale University. Courses outside the major are taught in English.

Admission and student visa

Requirements vary from one institution to another. EducationUSA notes that undergraduate applications are typically due between November and January for courses starting the following September, and that you usually need your secondary school diploma and transcripts with English translations, test scores that may assess academic ability and English proficiency, recommendation letters and a personal essay. It advises starting the search 12 to 18 months ahead and reminds students that no official ranking of US universities exists.

Once accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), you receive a Form I-20 (or DS-2019) to apply for a visa. The F visa covers study at an accredited college or university. US institutions are accredited by independent bodies at national or regional level, and the recognition of credits and degrees is linked to that accreditation.

Careers

Graduates work in teaching, translation and interpreting, publishing, business, government and social services, often combining Spanish with a second major. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor's degree and must be proficient in English and at least one other language. They held about 73,900 jobs in 2025, with a median annual wage of $60,170 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035. Federal courts offer court interpreter certification in several languages, including Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Spanish degree in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, with the Spanish major as one part of a broader liberal arts programme. Master's and PhD programmes follow for students interested in research or university teaching.

I am a native Spanish speaker. Can I still study Spanish at a US university?

Yes. Many departments have placement exams and heritage or native-speaker courses, such as UT Austin's Heritage Spanish track, so that you start at the right level and focus on academic writing, literature and linguistics.

Do I need English to study Spanish in the United States?

Yes. The general education courses that make up much of a US degree are taught in English, and EducationUSA notes that test scores may be required to assess English proficiency.

What can I do with a Spanish degree?

Common paths include teaching, translation and interpreting, and jobs that need bilingual staff. The BLS notes that interpreters and translators typically need a bachelor's degree and fluency in English and another language.