Why UMKC?
Since 2000, Kansas City’s Latino population has continued to grow around the metropolitan area. Students who major in Spanish at UMKC not only have local internship and networking opportunities around the city, but chances to study abroad and earn course credit, while receiving invaluable life experiences. Immersion programs at the Universidad Veracruzana (Xalapa, Mexico), the Universidad de Granada (Granada, Spain) and the Universidad de Belgrano (Buenos Aires, Argentina) will greatly enhance one’s classroom education.
Fast Facts
- Students who study foreign languages have better analytical and problem-solving skills, English writing skills and vocabulary, and are more creative thinkers.
- Studying a foreign language complements every academic discipline.
- Foreign language study allows for better understanding of oneself, one’s own culture, and the diversity of culture in America and the world today.
- Kansas City area companies do one billion dollars’ worth of international trade per year.
- Many employers prefer to hire someone fluent in a second language.
Student Organizations
- Spanish conversation table
- Free Spanish tutoring available in the Language Resource Center.
- Department-sponsored speakers, cultural programs and faculty seminars are regular events
Real World Experience
Careers
Career options for Spanish majors:
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Salaries
Below is a sampling of salary ranges for UMKC graduate who obtain Spanish-related jobs in Kansas City.
- Translator, $37,038-$50,278
- International banking manager, $95,246-$143,719
- Marketing specialist, $42,374-$57,568
- Entry-level paralegal, $37,711-$51,571
- College-level associate professor, $48,132-$75,485
Admission Requirements
There are no special requirements beyond those for admission to the University.
A language placement exam is strongly recommended for all students with previous Spanish language experience. The placement exam or the recommendation of a foreign language adviser will best determine a student’s level, contributing to his or her success.
Prerequisite Courses
Major Courses
required courses
Students must complete 30 hours beyond 110 and 120 in the same language and literature for the major.
Spanish majors must complete at least 15 hours of literature and civilization courses, of which at least six hours must be at the 400 level and must include the senior capstone course, Spanish 499.
Examples of course offerings:
- The Picaresque Novel
- U.S.-Latino Literature
- Spanish and Latin American Cinema
- Literature of the Southern Cone
- Literature, Cinema & Spanish Transition to Democracy.
Other Programs Available
- B.A. in Spanish with an international business minor
- Short work experiences abroad available
- K-12 teacher certification through the School of Education. Early internships at the elementary level available for teacher candidates.
- Combine Spanish with sociology, criminal justice or psychology to earn credits working with Hispanic youth in the Jackson Co. Family Courts.
- Spanish for the Health Sciences course.
- Dual degree in medicine and with a Spanish major or minor.
- Spanish double-majors in communications or English may
provide a job-shadowing opportunity with a professional writer at a major corporation. - Study abroad programs for a summer, a semester or a year in Xalapa, Mexico, Granada, Spain or Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Faculty
- Dr. Louis Imperiale, Ph.D., Spanish Literature, The Catholic University of America, 1991
- Dr. Rebecca Lee, Ph.D., Hispanic Studies, Cornell University, 2004
- Dr. Alice Reckley Vallejos, Ph.D., Spanish & Latin American Literature, The University of Kansas, 1985
- Dr. Alberto Villamandos, Ph.D., Spanish Program, The University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 2006
Contact us
UMKC Office of Admissions
120 Administrative Center
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499
(816) 235-1111
www.umkc.edu
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may
call Relay Missouri at:
1-800-735-2966 (TT)
1-800-735-2466 (voice)
Visit us
Contact the UMKC Welcome Center at 816-235-UMKC (8652), or toll-free at 1-800-775-UMKC (8652), and we'll arrange a guided campus tour and a meeting with faculty and staff.
