Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture

The Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture is available as both a concurrent and a standalone credential. It is open to all currently registered Dalhousie and King’s students across faculties, as well as to members of the broader community.

This 15 credit-hour certificate offers a structured and flexible pathway to develop Spanish language proficiency and cultural understanding. Through a progression of courses, students advance from introductory to intermediate or from intermediate to advanced levels, achieving at least a B1.2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

For BA students fulfilling a language requirement, only nine additional credit hours are required to complete the certificate. Students in other programs also benefit from the program’s accessibility, as 1000-level Spanish courses count toward the certificate, unlike in a Minor.

As a standalone option, the certificate welcomes lifelong learners, non-degree students, and community members seeking an introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. Credit hours earned may later be applied toward future degree studies, encouraging continued academic and personal growth.

Students with prior knowledge of Spanish may take a placement test to determine their entry level. The certificate allows for flexible course combinations, including advanced language options such as SPAN 3035 and SPAN 3036, and electives in Hispanic culture, literature, film, and civilization.

This short, accessible program provides an opportunity to acquire valuable linguistic and intercultural skills, essential in today’s increasingly multicultural and globalized environment.

Note: This credential cannot be taken concurrently with a Major or Minor in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing the certificate, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish, communicating effectively in various contexts.
• Apply language and cultural skills as tools for personal, academic, and professional development, fostering adaptability in multicultural settings.
• Discuss and analyze the cultural, historical, and sociopolitical diversity of the Hispanic world through engagement with literature, media, and contemporary issues.

Requirements:

To earn the certificate, students must complete 15 credit hours in total, consisting of 12 credit hours in language courses and 3 credit hours in culture courses. A combination of the following courses will be chosen based on students’ language competence and interests.

Language Courses (12 credit hours)

• SPAN 1021.03 – Beginning Spanish I
• SPAN 1022.03 – Beginning Spanish II
• SPAN 1035.06 – Accelerated Beginning Spanish
• SPAN 2021.03 – Intermediate Spanish I
• SPAN 2022.03 – Intermediate Spanish II
• SPAN 3035.03 – Advanced Spanish I
• SPAN 3036.03 – Advanced Spanish II
• SPAN 2100.03 – Evolving Spain (taught in English)
• SPAN 2105.03 – Catalan Language and Culture
• SPAN 2150.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Memory and Marginalized Communities
• SPAN 2155.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Immigration, Exile, and Globalization
• SPAN 2200.03 – Latin American Culture (taught in English)
• SPAN 3515.03 – Voices and Visions: Hispanic Literature in Film (taught in English)
• Or another course approved for the SPAN Minor or Major programs.

Culture Courses (3 credit hours)

• SPAN 2100.03 – Evolving Spain (taught in English)
• SPAN 2105.03 – Catalan Language and Culture
• SPAN 2150.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Memory and Marginalized Communities
• SPAN 2155.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Immigration, Exile, and Globalization
• SPAN 2200.03 – Latin American Culture (taught in English)
• SPAN 3515.03 – Voices and Visions: Hispanic Literature in Film (taught in English)
• Or another course approved for the SPAN Minor or Major programs.

In addition to SPAN courses, relevant courses from other departments and programs such as International Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology and Social Anthropology, and Cinema and Media Studies may be approved. Note that some courses may have prerequisites.

To obtain the certificate, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the courses counted toward the credential.

For advising and placement information:
Spanish & Latin American Studies Undergraduate Advisor
spanish.advising@dal.ca