After English, Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the United States. In areas like Texas, Florida, New York, and California, it is quite common to encounter people who speak Spanish and billboards, legal documents, and tourist brochures that are written in both English and Spanish.

Besides having opportunities to practice speaking Spanish in the U.S., a knowledge of Spanish will be of use in travels to Spain, South America, Central America, Puerto Rico and nearby Mexico. Mexico has already been a very important trading partner with the U.S. and with the Free Trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico (NAFTA) these economic relations are further increasing. Besides business opportunities, Mexico offers beautiful beaches, Aztec pyramids, Spanish colonial cities and an excellent exchange rate with the peso that makes this country very affordable for U.S. tourists.

For all these reasons, nation-wide there has been an increase in studies of Spanish at all levels. Studying the Spanish language and Hispanic culture is an excellent complement for studies in Business, Nursing, Teaching, Social Work, Theology, English or Public Relations. A Spanish major will prepare the student for any profession that requires a general liberal arts degree as well as graduate studies in Spanish or Hispanic literature.