The Global Education Office and the Department of World Languages & Cultures have compiled the following information for Spanish majors to assist in planning for a semester of study away. Students are not required but are highly recommended to study abroad if they major in Spanish and should let their Academic Advisor know as soon as possible about their plan to study away so they can help fit this experience into the student’s graduation plan.
Academic Planning Prior to Going Away
To be eligible to study away, students in the Spanish major must successfully complete the following courses at Allegheny prior to studying away: It is recommended that students in the Spanish major study away in the Spring Semester Sophomore or Fall or Spring semester of the Junior year, depending on their progression through the major. The Spanish major requires Senior Seminar (in the fall of students’ 4th year) rather than a Junior Seminar, in order to free students up for the possibility of studying either semester or the entire Junior year abroad. The Spanish Senior Project is a two-semester senior project therefore students are encouraged not to study away in the senior year. Allegheny’s graduation requirements state that a student’s final 16 semester credit hours before graduation must be taken in academic residence on campus, therefore study away during the second-semester senior year is not allowed without the permission of the Dean’s Exemption Committee. The following courses in the Spanish major cannot be taken during a study-away program: Successfully Complete the Following Courses Before Studying Away
When should I study away?
Courses that Must Be Taken on Campus
The following is a highlighted list of sponsored study away programs that have approved coursework for the Spanish major (see below for double majors). Students choose their program according to their language level and their country or area of interest:
| Program Name | Required Level of Spanish |
| Have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 | |
| Have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 | |
| Have completed 3 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 215 | |
| Have completed 5 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 + SPAN 225 or 230 | |
| No required language; recommend completing 215; advise carefully to receive more than 4 credits in Spanish. | |
| Have completed 6 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 + SPAN 225 and 230 | |
| Have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 | |
| No required language; recommend completing 215; advise carefully to receive more than 4 credits in Spanish towards the major. | |
| Have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 and 3 semesters of economics | |
|
Spain: Communications, New Media + Journalism in Seville (CIEE) |
Have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish: SPAN 220 |
| U.S.A. Border Studies in Tucson, Arizona | No required language; recommend completing 215; advise carefully to receive more than 4 credits in Spanish toward the major. |
How Studying Away Counts Towards the Major
Students can transfer up to 16 credits toward their major, although study Abroad “counts” for so much more than credit hours — students achieve a level of fluency and cultural proficiency abroad to deepen curricular-level knowledge acquired in the classroom.
Typically, the major requirement of 3- three-hundred level and elective courses for the major can be completed while abroad, depending on placement. A mixture of courses in language structure (grammar, writing proficiency) and cultural content at that level is recommended. The focus should be on culture courses that are otherwise not offered on campus while studying away. The language of instruction of the course must be Spanish.
Important: Students who are double majors, are pre-med, or are studying International Business should take classes that focus on vocabulary and topics in those thematic areas [Spanish for the Medical Profession, Spanish for Business, Doing Business in Mexico] (see below)
Suggested Programs for Spanish Double Majors in the Department of World Languages & Cultures
Business and Economics Spain: Business + Society in Seville (CIEE) Spain: Engineering + Society in Madrid (CIEE) could include an internship. Environmental Science and Sustainability *Programs in Atenas or Monteverde Costa Rica offer one 4-credit course in Spanish, students who place or complete SPAN 215 in their first year can study here and still complete a Spanish major. Global Health Studies Argentina – Liberal Arts in Buenos Aires (CIEE) A CIEE course in Gender Studies; and courses in Sociology at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. International Studies and Political Science Argentina – Liberal Arts in Buenos Aires (CIEE) Study at an Argentine University includes courses in International Relations of Latin America and Political Development. México – Tecnológico de Monterrey, Querétaro offers courses in International Relations and Politics in Mexico. Ecuador – International Development in Quito, (MSID) focuses on Development Theory useful for International Studies. Spain: Advanced Liberal Arts in Seville (CIEE) offers a course on the European Economy, Intercultural Communication and Leadership, and Islamic culture for example. Communications, Performing Arts Spain: Communications, New Media + Journalism in Seville (CIEE) The following is a highlighted list of sponsored study away programs in which students may double-count certain language and area courses toward each major:
Complementary Major
Recommended Program
México – Tecnológico de Monterrey, Querétaro
Ecuador – International Development in Quito, (MSID). The program features a 6-week project with a grassroots organization focused on sustainability.
Certain language and area courses can be double-counted toward each major through study in Ecuador – International Development in Quito, (MSID). The program features a 6-week project with a grassroots organization focused on health.
All programs fulfill the major requirement for Study Abroad:
Argentina – Liberal Arts in Buenos Aires (CIEE) Courses in Performing Arts and Drama, Music and Folklore at the Universidad Nacional de las Artes
Psychology and Education
Argentina – Liberal Arts in Buenos Aires (CIEE) Study at an Argentine University includes courses in the Department of Psychology and Education at the Universidad Católica.