Achieving proficiency in a second language opens doors to a variety of exciting career opportunities in business, education, law enforcement and healthcare—industries where bilingualism is increasingly important. Studying Spanish has two paths at RMC – either with a Spanish minor or a major in Hispanic Studies; both enjoy a highly personalized language program with courses that explore current events, social justice, linguistics, business, and culture.
Minor Spanish
Spanish up close In and Beyond the Classroom
Global Education
Study abroad isn’t required for minors, but practicing your Spanish skills abroad is both a transformational part of your education and one of the most fun ways to earn credit! Spanish minors join Hispanic Studies majors for faculty-led programs throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Popular summer and semester programs where Randolph-Macon Spanish students gain language proficiency include Alicante, San Sebastian, and Madrid, Spain; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Costa Rica.
certified biliteracy
Since 2020, the RMC Spanish Department has awarded nearly 40 students the Global Seal of Biliteracy™, a credential that celebrates strong language skills and expands future career opportunities for Spanish majors. The Global Seal of Biliteracy enables recipients to showcase their language skills to any school or employer, across state lines and national borders, with a unique, serial-numbered certification earned based on high uniform language standards.
high-Impact Internships
At Randolph-Macon, Spanish students use their language skills to make a difference in the community long before graduation. Recent internships for Spanish language students take place in a variety of healthcare, business, government and educational settings including:
- Crossover Health Ministries
- Latin American News Digest
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Hanover County Department of Health
- Benedictine School
- Fruitland Police Department
Advising & MENTORSHIP
Our Spanish faculty care deeply about helping students gain and use language skills that serve their lives and their ambitions. They often work closely with minors to pair their study of Spanish with other disciplines to advance their career goals. They also work closely with heritage speakers who bring their rich histories to the classroom as they explore their cultural identities and create community with other Latinx students.
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20countries designate Spanish as the official language
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2ndmost spoken language in the world is Spanish
Spanish in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss
(A very small sample)
SPAN 303
Spanish for the Healthcare Professions
Expand your language skills using practical situations in everyday encounters within the healthcare setting. Learn to interact with Spanish-speaking patients, doctors, nurses, technicians, and EMT professionals in the medical field and healthcare industry.
SPAN 353
Spain as a Cultural Crossroad
Examine the long history of intercultural contact in the literature and culture of what we know as Spain today. Study networks of migration, economics, and power associated with Spain’s history as a global empire, the Spanish Civil War, and the present-day immigration boom from Africa and South America as depicted in Spanish works of literature, visual art, and film.
SPAN 242
Spanish for Social Justice
Hone your reading and writing skills while exploring issues of social justice facing Spanish-speaking communities within the United States. Using Spanish-language periodicals and online resources, develop vocabulary pertinent to knowledge and discussion of relevant social justice issues.
Opportunities Worth Grabbing
Popular activities and programs among Spanish minors
Sigma Delta Pi
Top students are inducted for membership in the Spanish Honor Society.
Spanish club
Spanish Conversation Table
The Spanish Conversation Table is student-run and attended. Interested students may attend and/or pursue leadership opportunities by serving as Table Leaders.
Hispanic Heritage Club
From Here To What you can do with a Spanish degree from RMC
micah Granai ’20
Clinical Laboratory
Virginia Endocrinology & Osteoporosis Center
“RMC exceeded my expectations when it came to having the resources I needed at my fingertips. At first, I came to RMC not interested in pursuing a minor in Spanish. However, the professors in the Spanish department were so awesome, they were easily able to persuade me. With that knowledge, I was able to study abroad in Costa Rica and interact with the locals. I also really loved the professors in the Biology department. They were so willing to help and really pushed me out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to do research.”
Rowan Hierholzer ’19
Campaign Operations Manager
The Knot Worldwide
Alexandra lugo ’21
Spanish Teacher
Hermitage High School
Kirsten Whittaker ’21
Medical Assistant
Virginia Women’s Center
Buzzworthy The latest from RMC Spanish and Hispanic Studies
News Story categories: Spanish
Academics
Biology
RMC Welcomes 12 New Full-Time Faculty Members
Randolph-Macon College recruited and hired 12 talented tenure-track teacher-scholars to join the faculty at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.
News Story categories: Spanish
Academics
Asian Studies
Randolph-Macon Professors Earn Tenure and Promotion
RMC President Robert R. Lindgren is pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees recently voted to approve the tenure and promotion status of several faculty members.
News Story categories: Spanish
Academics
Classics
J-Term in the Classroom: Students Immersed in Unique Coursework
The four-week period of coursework here on campus opened new doors with an intensive focus on unique topics that are often taught only in January term.
More to explore 55+ areas of study to discover at RMC
Get Ready Discover Spanish at RMC.
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