Bachelor of Arts in Spanish: Scheme for Graduation

Total credits Minimum GPA Spanish Credits Minor Credits Last 30 Credits at Howard
120 2.0 30+ 15-18, 2.0 GPA
Your Degree Breakdown
  • Major Requirements: 30+ Spanish credits (12+ courses)
  • Minor Requirements: 15–18 credits, 2.0 GPA (5–6 courses)
  • General Education: 60+ credits (approximately 24 courses)
  • Math Requirements: MATH 005 or higher (3–4 credits)
  • Free Electives: 42 credits to reach 120 (General Electives)
  • Complete all 7 ELOs (can overlap with courses)
  • Experiential Learning Course & Innovative Learning Requirement
  • Undergraduate Comprehensive Exam

Important: Double-Dipping Made Simple!

One course can fulfill BOTH a General Education requirement AND an Essential Learning Outcome (ELO) at the same time. You don’t need separate courses for each! This helps you graduate efficiently without taking extra classes.

Major credits cannot be double dipped with minor credits. Minors require 15–18 credits that are not applied to their major requirements. Minor coursework must remain distinct and separate from major coursework.

  • Consult with your academic advisor each semester for course planning.
  • Academic Advisor: Contact Office of Undergraduate Studies for assignment.
  • Department Office: Locke Hall, Room 348 2441 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059, Phone: (202) 806-6758
  • Spanish Coordinator: Dr. Mercedes Tibbits, mtibbits@howard.edu, Locke Hall, 332
  • Research Opportunities: Speak with faculty about research positions and independent study
  • Experiential Learning: Connect with the Career Center and department for internship opportunities.
  • Graduate School Advising: Meet with faculty advisors if considering graduate programs.
General Education Requirements (60+ Credits)

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs)

Students must complete courses covering all seven outcome areas. Remember, these can overlap with other requirements!

ELO DESCRIPTION
ELO 1 U.S. and Global African Diasporic Developments
ELO 2 Human Cultures and Creative Expression
ELO 3 The Physical and Natural World
ELO 4 Intellectual and Practical Skills
ELO 5 Social Responsibility and Political Institutions
ELO 6 Leadership and Applied Learning
ELO 7 Comprehensive Wellness Practices

Note: ELO courses are tagged in Bison Hub under the course description

Freshman Experience
Freshman Experience (1 Credit / 1 Course)
FRSM 001 Freshman Seminar (1 credit)
Core Writing & Communication
Core Writing & Communication (12 Credits / 4 Courses)
ENGW 101, 102, or 104 First-Year English Writing I (3 credits)
ENGW 103 or 105 First-Year English Writing II (3 credits)
Third Writing Course Upper-level writing (3 credits)
Communication Principles of Speech (3 credits)
Mathematics
Mathematics (3-4 Credits / 1 Course)
MATH 005 or higher (3-4 credits)
Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness (1 Credit / 1 Course)
HHPL Course (1 credit)
Cultural and Global Awareness
Cultural and Global Awareness (3-15 Credits / 1-5 Courses)
African American Cluster Course (3 credits)
Foreign Language 4 courses (12 credits total)*

*Spanish 001-004 if student is not exempted from one or more of these courses, prior to enrolling in Spanish major/minor courses (SPAN 040 and above).

Humanities & Social Sciences
Humanities & Social Sciences (12 Credits / 4 Courses)
Two Humanities Courses (3 credits each = 6 credits)
Two Social Science Courses (3 credits each = 6 credits)
Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences (6-8 Credits / 2 Courses)
Two Natural Science Courses (3-4 credits each = 6-8 credits)
COAS Special Requirements
Experiential Learning Course (1 course required)
Innovative Learning Requirement (1 course required)
Minor Requirements (15-18 Credits / 5-6 Courses)

Choose a minor in a different department

  • Minor Course - Introductory course in a different department (3 credits)
  • Minor Course - (3 credits)
  • Minor Course - (3 credits)
  • Minor Course - (3 credits)
  • Minor Course - (3 credits)
Spanish Major Requirements (30+ Credits)

Required for all Spanish majors

Language Skills Courses (9 Credits / 3 Courses)
SPAN 040 Grammar Structures (3 credits)
SPAN 050 Oral Communication I (3 credits)
SPAN 052 Reading & Writing (3 credits)
Literary & Cultural Analysis
Literary & Cultural Analysis (3 Credits / 1 Course)
SPAN 060 Textual Analysis (3 credits)
Culture & Identity Courses
Culture & Identity Courses (9 Credits / 3 Courses)
SPAN 080: Diversity and Unification in Spain or SPAN 081: Contemporary Spain (3 credits)
SPAN 083: Formation of Hispanic America or SPAN 084: Contemporary Hispanic America (3 credits)
SPAN 085: Hispano-Africana Cultural Production (3 credits)
Spanish Electives (9+ Credits / 3+ Courses)

Choose courses from approved Spanish electives

  • Spanish Elective – (3 credits)
  • Spanish Elective – (3 credits)
  • Spanish Elective – (3 credits)
Sample Degree Progress Checklist

First Year: Fall Semester (15 Credits)

☑ FRSM 001 - Freshman Seminar (1 credit)

☐ ENGW 101/102/104 - First Year Writing I (3 credits)

☐ SPAN 040 - Grammar Structures (3 credits) or SPAN 001-004 (3 credits) if not exempted from one or more of these courses..

☐ Humanities Course (3 credits)

☐ Social Science Course (3 credits)

☐ HHPL Course (1 credit)

First Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)

☑ ENGW 103/105 - First Year Writing II (3 credits)

☐ SPAN 050 - Oral Communication I (3 credits) or SPAN 001-004 (3 credits) if not exempted from one or more of these courses.

☐ African American Cluster Course (3 credits)

☐ Social Science Course (3 credits)

☐ Any non-Spanish course (3 credits)

Second Year: Fall Semester (15-16 Credits)

☑ SPAN 052 - Reading & Writing (3 credits) or SPAN 001-004 (3 credits) if not exempted from one or more of these courses.

☐ MATH 005 or higher (3-4 credits)

☐ Natural Science Course (3-4 credits)

☐ Two non-Spanish courses

Second Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)

☑ SPAN 060 – Textual Analysis (3 credits) or SPAN 001–004 (3 credits) if not exempted from one or more of these courses.

☐ Natural Science Course (3–4 credits)

☐ Humanities Course (3 credits)

☐ Minor Course (3 credits)

☐ Any non-Spanish course

Third Year: Fall Semester (15 Credits)

☑ SPAN 080/081 - Diversity and Unification in Spain OR Contemporary Spain (3 credits)

☐ SPAN 085 - Hispano-Africana Cultural Production (3 credits)

☐ 3rd Writing Course (3 credits)

☐ Minor Course (3 credits)

☐ Minor Course (3 credits)

Third Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)

☑ SPAN 083/084 – Formation of Hispanic America OR Contemporary Hispanic America (3 credits)

☐ Communication - Principles of Speech (3 credits)

☐ Minor Course (3 credits)

☐ Experiential Learning Course (3 credits)

☐ Any general elective or Spanish elective course(3 credits)

Fourth Year: Fall Semester (15 Credits)

☑ Spanish Elective (3 credits)

☐ Spanish Elective (3 credits)

☐ Minor Course (3 credits)

☐ General Elective (3 credits)

☐ Innovative Learning Course (3 credits)

Fourth Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)

☑ Spanish Elective (3 credits)

☐ General Elective (3 credits)

☐ General Elective (3 credits)

☐ General Elective (3 credits)

☐ General Elective (3 credits)

☐ Complete Undergraduate Comprehensive Exam

☐ Apply for graduation

Key Requirements
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
  • Minimum Minor GPA: 2.0
  • Credits in Spanish: 36+ minimum
  • Foreign Language: SPAN 001-004 (if student is not exempted for one or more of these courses) prior to enrolling in Spanish major/minor courses (SPAN 040 and above).
  • Mathematics: MATH 005 or higher required.
  • Residency: Last 30 credits at Howard University
  • General Education Must span at least 4 different disciplines.

Important Notes

Language Skills

Complete SPAN 040, 050, and 052 to build language proficiency.

Cultural Studies

SPAN 060, 085, 086, 087, 089, and 890 explore African diaspora connections in Hispanic cultures.

Regional Focus

Choose between Spanish or Latin American tracks for civilization courses.

Foreign Language

Must complete or be exempted from Spanish 001-004 prior to enrolling in Spanish major/minor courses (SPAN 040 and above). Speak with Spanish Coordinator after completing 004 to determine scheme for graduation.

Grades

To pass a Spanish course as a major or minor (SPAN 040 and above), students must score a grade of C or better.

Study Abroad

Consider study abroad opportunities in Spanish-speaking countries.