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Courses | B.A. in Spanish

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Program Courses

Students desiring to minor in Spanish are strongly encouraged to begin during their freshman and sophomore years. Placement in Spanish classes will be based on a mandatory department assessment. Students entering the program with less than two years of high school Spanish or one semester of college Spanish will automatically be placed in the first course, either SPAN 100 or SPAN 215. Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment must be retested and placed accordingly. Advancement from one course in the lower-division sequence to the next will require demonstration of proficiency.

The Spanish major and minor allow students to proceed through two course tracks, one for second language learners of Spanish and the other for heritage learners of Spanish. A student’s progression through the program relies heavily on the sequencing of courses; therefore, it is important that students work closely with the Spanish program advisors. Students whose level of language places them into the 300-level of courses may substitute higher level courses for required courses at the 200-level with the permission of the Department of Modern Languages.

Curriculum Requirements

A Generalist in Spanish must complete 32 credits as detailed below. Students may substitute alternate upper-level courses with permission of the department. All Generalists must complete either SPAN 334, SPAN 335, SPAN 485, or complete an approved study abroad program.

All Spanish majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major.
Program Courses
Students will be placed into one of the following tracks and take 4-12 credits based on language level determined by departmental placement exam.4-12
Second Language Learners
Spanish Language and Culture III
Advanced Spanish Communication I
Advanced Spanish Communication II
Heritage Learners
Basic Spanish for the Heritage Learner
Basic Spanish for Heritage Learners IA
and Basic Spanish for Heritage Learners IB
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners I
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners II
All students must take:
SPAN 340Introduction to Literary Masterpieces4
or SPAN 350 Hispanic Civilization and Culture
SPAN 480Senior Portfolio1
BBST 4655Integration Seminar: Contemporary Hispanic Studies 13
Select 12-20 credits based on credits completed in program course track.12-20
Intercultural Communication in Spanish
Community Spanish
Spanish Study Tour
Introduction to Literary Masterpieces
Foundations of Hispanic Literary Study: Genre
Hispanic Civilization and Culture
Hispanic Studies: Culture, Language, or Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Topics in Spanish for Specific Purposes
Topics in Hispanic Literature
Spanish Applied Linguistics and Teaching Pedagogy
Introduction to Translation I
Introduction to Translation II
Spanish to English Translation I
Spanish to English Translation II
English to Spanish Translation I
English to Spanish Translation II
Contemporary Hispanic Studies: A Biblical Perspective
Teaching Assistant Practicum
Directed Research
Internship
Program Course Requirements: 32 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 271
General Electives17
Total Credits120
1

​Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

2

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Professional Concentrations

Students in the Global Marketplace, Global Missions, International Relations, Ministry, and Urban Missions Professional concentrations below must complete 28 credits of Spanish (as detailed above) plus the required courses in their selected concentration. Total program and concentration credits are located on each concentration table below.

Concentrations Curriculum Requirements Overview

Global Marketplace, Global Missions, International Relations, Ministry, and Urban Missions Concentrations 

All Spanish majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major.
Concentration Courses
Students will be placed into one of the following tracks and take 4-12 credits based on language level determined by departmental placement exam.12
Second Language Learners
Spanish Language and Culture III
Advanced Spanish Communication I
Advanced Spanish Communication II
Heritage Learners
Basic Spanish for the Heritage Learner
Basic Spanish for Heritage Learners IA
and Basic Spanish for Heritage Learners IB
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners I
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners II
All students must take:
SPAN 340Introduction to Literary Masterpieces4
or SPAN 350 Hispanic Civilization and Culture
SPAN 480Senior Portfolio1
BBST 4655Integration Seminar: Contemporary Hispanic Studies 13
Electives
Select 8-16 credits based on credits completed in program course track.8
Intercultural Communication in Spanish
Community Spanish
Spanish Study Tour
Introduction to Literary Masterpieces
Foundations of Hispanic Literary Study: Genre
Hispanic Civilization and Culture
Hispanic Studies: Culture, Language, or Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Topics in Spanish for Specific Purposes
Topics in Hispanic Literature
Spanish Applied Linguistics and Teaching Pedagogy
Introduction to Translation I
Introduction to Translation II
Spanish to English Translation I
Spanish to English Translation II
English to Spanish Translation I
English to Spanish Translation II
Teaching Assistant Practicum
Directed Research
Internship
Select a Professional Concentration (below)15-18
Total Credits43-46
1

​Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

Global Marketplace

A Spanish, B.A. with a concentration in Global Marketplace requires 28 credits of Spanish and an additional 18 credits of coursework housed in the Crowell School of Business. This concentration is designed for students interested in gaining a broad understanding of skills necessary for working in the local and global marketplace using their bilingual skills. Total concentration credits are 46.

In addition to meeting the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major, students in the Global Marketplace concentration meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in mathematics within the concentration.
Concentration Courses 1
MATH 190Business Statistics 23
BUSN 201Principles of Macroeconomics3
or BUSN 205 Economic Principles
BUSN 211Principles of Accounting I3
BUSN 220Management Information Systems3
BUSN 230Introduction to Marketing3
BUSN 347Global Business Environment3
Program Course (Spanish) Requirements: 28 credits28
Concentration Course Requirements: 18 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 368
General Electives6
Total Credits120
1

Students in the Global Marketplace Concentration are encouraged to complete additional credits in Business in order to complete a minor in Business Administration and satisfy the requirements for admittance into the Crowell School of Business' MBA program. See the Crowell School of Business webpage for details. 

2

Fulfills the Mathematics Core Curriculum requirement.

3

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Global Missions

As of Fall 2024, this concentration is in teach-out phase; it is not open to new or readmit students.
 

A Spanish, B.A. with a concentration in Global Missions requires 25 credits in Spanish and 12 credits in INCS coursework focused on international missions. This concentration is designed to equip students for global mission work through the study of language, culture, theology and strategic planning in order to more effectively serve and witness in the Spanish speaking world. Total concentration credits are 37. 

Additional Concentration Specific Core Curriculum Courses
Cultural Anthropology
Theology of Mission (as BBST 400-level elective)
Concentration Courses
INCS 233Introduction to World Missions3
INCS 333Principles of Church Multiplication3
INCS 334Church Planting Models and Strategies3
or INCS 440 The Local Church and World Missions
INCS 451Evangelism & Discipleship3
Program Course (Spanish) Requirements: 25 credits25
Concentration Course Requirements: 12 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
General Electives9
Total Credits120
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

International Relations

A Spanish, B.A. with a concentration in International Relations requires 28 credits of Spanish and an additional 15 credits in Political Science. This concentration is designed for students desiring to use their language and cultural skills in careers that focus on global politics foreign affairs. Total concentration credits are 43.

In addition to meeting the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major, students in the International Relations concentration fulfill 3 credits of the 6 credit Core Curriculum requirement in history within the concentration.
Concentration Courses
POSC 208World Politics3
POSC 211Introduction to Political Economy3
POSC 225Survey of American Government 13
POSC 308Foreign Policy and Diplomacy3
POSC 365Wealth and Justice3
Program Course (Spanish) Requirements: 2828
Concentration Course Requirements: 15 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 268
General Electives9
Total Credits120
1

Fulfills 3 credits of the History Core Curriculum requirement.

2

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Ministry

A Spanish, B.A. with a concentration in Ministry is designed for students who want to pursue the vocation of Christian Ministry in Spanish speaking communities. It requires 28 credits in Spanish coursework and an additional 15 credits in coursework focused on Christian Ministries. Total concentration credits are 43.

In addition to meeting the Core Curriculum requirement of 3 credits in integration seminar within the major, students in the Ministry concentration fulfill 3 credits of the 6 credit BBST 300/400 elective requirement within the concentration.
Concentration Courses
BBST 320Methods of Bible Study 13
CEED 150Foundations of Ministry3
or CEED 242 Psychology of Learning and Development
CEED 260Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Relationships in Christian Ministry3
CEED 312Christian Ministry Skills3
or CEED 254 Leadership Development
CEED 313Christian Ministry Discipleship3
Program Course (Spanish) Requirements: 28 credits28
Concentration Course Requirements: 15 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 268
General Electives9
Total Credits120
1

Fulfills 3 credits of BBST 300/400 electives.

2

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Urban Missions

As of Fall 2024, this concentration is in teach-out phase; it is not open to new or readmit students.

A Spanish, B.A. with a concentration in Urban Missions requires 25 credits in Spanish and 12 credits in INCS coursework focused on urban engagement. This concentration is designed to equip students for mission work through the study of language, culture, theology and strategic planning in order to more effectively serve and witness in urban Spanish speaking communities. Total concentration credits are 37.

Additional Concentration Specific Core Curriculum Courses
Cultural Anthropology
Theology of Mission (as BBST 300/400 Bible Elective)
Concentration Courses
INCS 338Urban Ministry Models3
INCS 449Topics in Ministry to Internationals and Immigrants3
INCS 457Urban Research3
INCS 459Urban Transformation3
Program Course (Spanish) Requirements: 2525
Concentration Course Requirements: 12 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 174
General Electives9
Total Credits120
1

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Secondary Instruction

The Secondary Instruction concentration is designed for students whose goal is to teach Spanish at the high school level. A concentration in Secondary Instruction offers Spanish coursework that, in conjunction with a teacher preparation program, leads to a California SB2042 Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish.1 The Secondary Instruction concentration consists of a total of 55 credits as listed below.

Students in the Secondary Instruction concentration meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in behavioral science and integration seminar within the concentration and also fulfill 3 of the 6 credit Core Curriculum requirement in history within the concentration.
Program Courses
Students will be placed into one of the following tracks and take 4-12 credits based on language level determined by departmental placement exam.12
Second Language Learners
Spanish Language and Culture III
Advanced Spanish Communication I
Advanced Spanish Communication II
Heritage Learners
Basic Spanish for the Heritage Learner
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners I
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners II
All students must take:
HIST 200United States History To 1865 23
or POSC 225 Survey of American Government
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 33
SPAN 340Introduction to Literary Masterpieces4
SPAN 350Hispanic Civilization and Culture4
SPAN 480Senior Portfolio1
BBST 4655Integration Seminar: Contemporary Hispanic Studies 43
Select 8-16 credits from the following:8
Community Spanish
Spanish Study Tour
Foundations of Hispanic Literary Study: Genre
Hispanic Studies: Culture, Language, or Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
Topics in Spanish for Specific Purposes
Topics in Hispanic Literature
Introduction to Translation I
Introduction to Translation II
Spanish to English Translation I
Spanish to English Translation II
English to Spanish Translation I
English to Spanish Translation II
Teaching Assistant Practicum
Directed Research
Education Courses
LEDU 301Introduction to Teaching3
LEDU 330Psychological Foundations of Education3
LEDU 341Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students3
LEDU 425Secondary Content Area Reading3
LEDU 433Single Subject Pedagogy2
LEDU 438Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment3
Student teaching (12 credits) may be completed at the graduate level and is not required for undergraduate graduation. Please meet with an advisor in the School of Education.
Secondary Student Teaching I
Secondary Student Teaching II
Program/Concentration Course Requirements: 55 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 565
Total Credits120
1

Students should be aware that the Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation and for accreditation and reporting purposes. Please see a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor.

2

Fulfills 3 credits of the History Core Curriculum requirement. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either HIST 200 or POSC 225 with a grade of C or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either HIST 200 or POSC 225 will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education.

3

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

4

​Fulfills the BBST 465 Biblical and Theological Studies Integration Seminar requirement.

5

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

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