Spanish & Hispanic Studies at TCU
For students looking to combine language, culture and career readiness, Spanish and Hispanic Studies (SHS) at TCU offers a dynamic and meaningful path.
Whether you’re interested in global experiences, community impact or strengthening your professional skillset, the program creates opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. With a strong sense of community and a focus on real-world application, SHS helps students turn their passions into purpose.
What Makes TCU's Spanish and Hispanic Studies Program Unique?
TCU's SHS program stands apart through three core strengths: experiential learning beyond the classroom, an interdisciplinary structure that pairs Spanish with any major, and deep community engagement in Fort Worth. Students gain real-world fluency through study abroad, internships, research and service-learning, all supported by close faculty mentorship and small class sizes.
A Program That Goes Beyond the Classroom
SHS is built on the idea that language is best learned through experience. Students are encouraged to apply their skills in real-world settings, whether through internships, study abroad or research opportunities.
Over the last two academic years, 106 students participated in study abroad programs, gaining firsthand cultural immersion experiences, while 23 students completed internships that connected their Spanish skills to professional and community-based fields. Additionally, since 2022, four students affiliated with the department have received Fulbright awards to teach abroad, reflecting the program’s growing global reach and impact.
These experiences not only strengthen language proficiency but also prepare students to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with confidence.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
For many students, SHS becomes a cornerstone of their TCU experience, shaping both their academic and personal growth. The program fosters close relationships between students and faculty, creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive.
“The Spanish department has always been like a second home to me. I know that my Spanish degree and all my experiences with SHS will be at the center of anything I decide to pursue,” says Fulbright Scholar Isabella Marrin '24 (Vietnam 2024-25).
Students across disciplines – from political science to biology to computer science – find that Spanish enhances their primary field of study and expands their career possibilities.
“The SHS professors provided opportunities for professional and personal growth, both in and out of the classroom,” says Fulbright Scholar, and first ever TCU student to win an award to Argentina, Zachary Mega '24, (Argentina 2024-25).
This interdisciplinary flexibility allows students to tailor their education while gaining valuable communication and cultural skills.
Learning That Makes an Impact
One of the most distinctive aspects of SHS is its emphasis on community engagement. Through service-learning courses, students step outside the classroom and into the Fort Worth community, working directly with Spanish-speaking employees in GED and ESL programs. This hands-on experience allows students to use Spanish in meaningful, real-life contexts while building empathy and cultural awareness.
“This experience taught us to have more appreciation; we were supporting someone to have the same opportunities that we have,” says Kassandra Goytia ’21.
At the same time, the program creates a positive impact for participants in the community.
“Now I speak more [English]. I am not shy. It’s a blessing,” says TCU Facility Services employee Mayra Aguilar.
These connections highlight how language can serve as a bridge – bringing people together and creating opportunities for growth on both sides.
Designed for Your Goals: Degree and Minor Options
SHS is intentionally designed to be flexible, allowing students to align their studies with their future aspirations. Degree options include:
- Spanish for the Professions track
- Spanish and Latin American Studies
- Minors tailored to fields like health professions and business
This structure makes it easy for students to integrate Spanish into a wide range of career paths, from healthcare and law to international business and public service. For those already pursuing a minor, the transition to a major is within reach – requiring just a few additional courses. This accessibility encourages students to deepen their expertise and maximize the value of their degree.
A Community Worth Exploring
Beyond academics, SHS fosters a welcoming and engaging community. Events like the annual open house give students the chance to connect with faculty, explore program offerings and learn more about study abroad opportunities. These moments of connection, combined with small class sizes and supportive professors, create an environment where students feel encouraged to explore, ask questions and grow.
Your Future Starts Here
Through immersive experiences, dedicated mentorship and opportunities to make a real impact, SHS equips students with the skills and perspective needed to succeed in a diverse and evolving world.
Whether you’re just beginning your college journey or looking to expand your academic path, SHS offers a place to grow, connect and find your voice. Schedule a campus visit or find your counselor to get started.
FAQ
Yes. SHS is designed to complement nearly any field of study. Students across disciplines, from political science to biology to computer science, pair Spanish with their primary major to expand their career possibilities and strengthen their communication and cultural skills. The program's interdisciplinary flexibility makes double-majoring or adding SHS as a second major very manageable.
TCU's Spanish and Hispanic Studies program offers a Spanish for the Professions track and a Spanish and Latin American Studies track, along with minors tailored to fields like health professions and business. This range lets students align their studies with career paths in healthcare, law, international business, public service and more.
Yes, and the transition is within reach. Students already pursuing a Spanish minor can move to a major by completing just a few additional courses, making it an accessible way to deepen expertise and get more value from coursework already underway.
Yes. Study abroad is a core part of the SHS experience. Over the last two academic years, 106 students participated in study abroad programs, gaining firsthand cultural immersion. The program also supports internships and research, and since 2022, four department-affiliated students have received Fulbright awards to teach abroad.
An SHS degree prepares students for careers in healthcare, law, international business, public service, education and more. Because Spanish pairs with nearly any major, graduates enter their fields with added language proficiency, cultural competency and communication skills that employers value in an interconnected world.
Service-learning connects classroom study to real-world impact. Through these courses, SHS students work directly with Spanish-speaking employees in GED and ESL programs in the Fort Worth community, using their Spanish in meaningful contexts while building empathy and cultural awareness.