Fayetteville State University’s Spanish program plays a vital role in fulfilling one of the original missions established by FSU’s founders and the current university’s mission statement: cultivating a vibrant, globally-minded campus community.

The close-knit team of three tenured professors and five adjuncts allows staff to personally connect with students in the program to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. Additionally, the team remains flexible and continues to adapt their curriculum and approach to cater to the current job market.

Students who complete the Spanish program benefit from good employment prospects. A study regarding program completers from 2016 to spring 2024 shows the following:

• 40% are teachers.
• 40% use their bilingual skills in diverse jobs, mainly related to their second major.
• 5% are graduate students.
• 15% hold other occupations.

The value of the Spanish program is also demonstrated by the skills students acquire. Students in advanced courses take the AAPPL exam, administered and graded by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), which assesses four different communicative skills. In 2024, 88%, of students who took the test achieved or surpassed a cumulative score that demonstrates that they are qualified to use their Spanish language skills in the workplace.

Whether students come to FSU with little to no Spanish-speaking experience or as native speakers, the program can be tailored to meet each individual’s needs. Students can earn a B.A. in Spanish or a B.A. in Spanish Teaching. Students with prior Spanish-speaking experience can often get through the program in less time than a traditional Spanish language learner because they already have language skills.

In this program, students not just learn to speak another language other than English is not the only valuable takeaway from this program. Students don’t just learn how to speak, read and write Spanish, they learn about the cultures of the Spanish-speaking communities, developing empathy and appreciation for others.

The program is consistently evaluating ways in which students can take advantage of opportunities to fast-track their learning and accelerate their path to employment. Offerings such as a month-long study abroad program at the University of Almería in Spain and language exchanges with the Language Center of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, provide students with the opportunity to use their language skills in real life settings.

Looking ahead, FSU’s Spanish program intends to continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of its students, public schools, and the local community.

To learn more about FSU’s Spanish program click here.