Spanish

Leverage Language Skills for Advanced Career Opportunities Across Industries

Student presenting at the front of a classroom

Program Overview

Are you eager to expand your linguistic skills and cultural understanding? College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Associate of Arts degree in Spanish is your path to becoming bilingual and bicultural. This program is uniquely tailored for those seeking to enhance their professional opportunities in government, international business, healthcare, law enforcement, or interpreting, as well as for those wishing to forge stronger personal connections. The fully-online degree offers flexibility and immersion in language learning, providing extensive practice in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Completing this program not only meets the general education requirements of all Idaho public institutions but also equips you with a strong foundation in basic language skills. You will be well-prepared to transfer to another institution with the goal of achieving a bachelor's degree. Engaging in this program also means developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills as you learn to express your thoughts in Spanish and compare various cultural perspectives.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Arts

Fully Online

Time to Complete

2 years

Spanish instructor presenting in front of students in classroom

Learning Opportunities

  • Language Skill Development: Attain proficiency in Spanish, enhancing your communication skills for diverse settings.
  • Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into different cultures, fostering a better understanding of global perspectives.
  • Research Skills: Conduct research in Spanish, improving your information literacy and language mastery.
  • Critical Thinking: Enhance problem-solving skills by comparing linguistic and cultural nuances.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in Spanish-speaking communities, applying your language skills and gaining empathy.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Spanish – Associate of Arts Degree

2

YEARS

AA

Available Fully Online

Degree Requirements
Spanish teacher presenting to a classroom of young students

Career Opportunities

  • Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

    Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level. Excludes “Special Education Teachers” (25-2050) and “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).

    339

    Annual Openings*

    $23.55

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $48,984

    Annual Median Salary

    13.15%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

    Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. Excludes “Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School” (25-2032), “Special Education Teachers” (25-2050), and “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).

    264

    Annual Openings*

    $23.82

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $49,546

    Annual Median Salary

    12.88%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

    Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. Excludes “Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School” (25-2023), “Special Education Teachers” (25-2050), and “Substitute Teachers, Short Term” (25-3031).

    55

    Annual Openings*

    $23.91

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $49,733

    Annual Median Salary

    29.39%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Tour and Travel Guides

    55

    Annual Openings*

    $20.21

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $42,037

    Annual Median Salary

    14.78%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Interpreters and Translators

    Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

    34

    Annual Openings*

    $18.70

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $38,896

    Annual Median Salary

    22.52%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021).

    23

    Annual Openings*

    $31.06

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $64,605

    Annual Median Salary

    2.36%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors

    Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.

    14

    Annual Openings*

    $21.92

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $45,594

    Annual Median Salary

    9.88%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data.

Admissions

Step 1

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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News

This year's Día de los Muertos at College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebration event will be a spectacular and heartfelt experience, filled with traditions, art, and appreciation of this...

Read more about Día de los Muertos Celebration Events

Each year, students in Janel Holt's Elementary Spanish class celebrate the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, or known as Day of the Dead.

Read more about Spanish Class Celebrates Día de los Muertos

Students look at how another country approaches death and the loss of loved ones by participating in Dia de los Muertos activities.

Read more about Día de los Muertos Celebrated at CWI

Amy Vassar has been named College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for August 2018.

Read more about Faculty of Distinction – August 2018
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