Brigham Young University Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Requirements for the BA degree in Spanish Translation:

  1. A total of 120 hours, of which at least 30 hours are to be taken in residence.


  2. General Education (see University Catalog)


  3. Major Requirements and Electives: 36 credit hours total


    4. A.  Core classes - 21 hours
    •  Spanish 321  3rd year Grammar and Composition  3.0
    •  Spanish 322  3rd year Grammar and Stylistics (pre-requisite Sp. 321)  3.0
    •  Spanish 339  Introduction to Spanish Literature  3.0
    •  Spanish 345  Iberian Civilization  3.0  OR  Spanish 355  Ibero-American Civilization  3.0
    •  Spanish 425  Structure of the Spanish Language  3.0
    •  Spanish 441  Survey of Spanish Literature  3.0
    •  Spanish 451  Survey of Hispanic-American Literature  3.0


    B.  Translation classes - 12 hours, which must be taken in sequence*
    •  Spanish 415  A&B Beginning Translation/Interpretation  3.0
    •  Spanish 416  A&B Beginning Translation/Interpretation II  3.0
    •  Spanish 417  A&B Translation/Interpretation I  3.0
    •  Spanish 418  Translation/Interpretation II - Sr. Project  3.0


    *Spanish 321 and Spanish 322 are pre-requisites to Spanish Translation/Interpretation classes. Spanish 321 is the first part of Spanish 322 and must be taken before Spanish 322. Students planning to major in translation/interpretation must complete Spanish 321 and 322 with a B grade or better.

    C. Three hours of elective credit from those electives listed for a BA in Spanish.

  4. Students wishing to major in Spanish Translation and Interpretation must apply for admission to the program and pass an entrance exam in Spanish and English. Contact the department secretary the first week of February of each year to obtain the official date and place of the exam. A maximum of 25 students will be accepted into the program.


  5. Students majoring in Translation/Interpretation are required to have a double major or a minor compatible with translation/interpretation.


  6. Concurrent English courses: Complementary English courses in general area of expertise are recommended (Eng. 311 for those in Humanities and Liberal Arts; Eng. 315 for those in the Social Sciences and Business; Eng. 316 for Science and Engineering).


  7. Knowledge of WordPerfect and PC operation is required for the translation courses.


  8. Oral Proficiency. An oral proficiency evaluation is required of all majors. To take this evaluation, students must enroll in Span. 491.


  9. No "D" credit will be accepted.


Spanish Translation/Interpretation majors should consider joining the BYU's Translators and Interpreters Association (BYUSATIA) as well as the national organization, the American Translators Association (ATA).

Students should also consider joining BYU's chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish Honor Society. Those students who have completed 60 hrs. of college credit, 18 hrs. of college Spanish (special credit exam hours may be counted), and either Spanish 339 or 345 (or 355), and who have a university GPA of at least 3.0 are eligible to join. See department secretary for information regarding the initiation ceremonies held each semester.

The Spanish Translation major provides pre-professional training in the theory and practice of translation and interpretation both for students planning to translate professionally and for students wishing to add translation and/or interpretation as an ancillary skill.

Because of the nature of translator training, students have access to a wide spectrum of the faculty of the Spanish and Portuguese Department. The specific translation courses are taught by native speakers of the target language who are practicing translators. Special guest lecturers from the practicing community often participate in practical exercises and activities.

A student planning to enter the Spanish Translation major is required to be thoroughly prepared in the grammar, style and structure of Spanish and English. Admission to the major is by successfully completing an entrance exam in both languages. A maximum of 25 students will be accepted into the program. This exam is administered in the Winter Semester for the following school year. For information, contact departmental secretary the first week of February. Also in order to declare a major in Spanish, undergraduate students must first take an advisement test. This does not determine whether you can declare the major, but helps the department advise a student concerning their Spanish level. This test is taken in 3031 JKHB.

The demand for well-trained translators and interpreters has rapidly grown in the United States. Past graduates from the program have found jobs in the Church Translation Services, the World Bank, law firms, teaching, governmental offices, as well as industry, and as free-lance translators and interpreters.

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