Spanish for the Professions

Become a global citizen

We’re part of an increasingly connected world. With Alverno’s Spanish for the Professions major, you’ll build a foundation for professional use of the Spanish language. You’ll acquire the advanced linguistic skills and cultural knowledge necessary for working in the global community. No matter your career, these are the skills that will open more doors for you both within the United States and abroad.

The Alverno difference

At Alverno, we embrace interactive learning as well as community service. Through an internship and service learning opportunities, you’ll practice your professional usage of Spanish and enhance your knowledge of Hispanic cultures. Our Milwaukee location provides access to organizations in health care, education, social work, global studies and more.

Alverno offers credit for learning you’ve achieved before enrolling here. Students who are raised in a Spanish-speaking home, native speakers of Spanish or those who have had prior Spanish instruction can receive up to 18 credits of credit toward this major by taking the Spanish language placement assessment in our Assessment and Outreach Center. This option makes it attainable for students add Spanish for the Professions as a double major.

As Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alverno is a welcoming and inclusive community of students from diverse backgrounds. You can get involved with such campus organizations as the Hispanic Nurses Association and the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee student chapter.

As an Alverno Spanish major, you will learn how to:

• Research, investigate, compare, explain, and present a comprehensive understanding in Spanish on a range of topics

• Understand and respect the subtleties of cultural expressions in Spanish by creating linguistic environments to apply your linguistic and cultural knowledge in unique ways

• Demonstrate leadership by enlisting disciplinary frameworks and articulating professional goals in effective interactions within linguistic and cultural Spanish contexts

• Assess your own behaviors and perceptions to create a professional demeanor and adapt to specific linguistic and cultural challenges

• Respond to issues of client concern and provide solutions to specific challenges that arise out of cultural and linguistic contexts

“I chose the Spanish for the Professions major because I’m passionate about global issues, especially immigration, and about giving back to my community. I’m currently a member of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee and am president of Alverno Student Government as well as Youth Empowered in the Struggle. Alverno has definitely helped me grow my networking skills and has given me confidence in myself.”

– Cassandra, Spanish for the Professions and Global Studies double major, class of 2021

Alverno Spanish majors are ready for such careers as:

• Social Worker
• Marketing Specialist
• Journalist
• Translator/Interpreter
• Teacher
• And more!