Program Description
The Spanish for healthcare minor focuses on two outcomes: developing students’ linguistic proficiency and broadening their insights into Hispanic cultures so that students may engage in meaningful interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and colleagues. The communication skills and transcultural awareness that students develop throughout the course of the minor are designed to prepare them for a wide range of opportunities and experiences in healthcare settings in the United States and abroad.
Program Requirements
Students are required to take a total of five courses. These courses may include language courses at or above the intermediate level in Dialogues of Civilization at Northeastern University. A maximum of two courses of transfer credits, including transferable courses taken abroad, may count toward the five courses in the minor.
Required Language and Culture Courses
Students may replace one or both intermediate courses with electives if they place out by successfully completing the language exam in the World Languages Center. See the electives list for options. At least one of the advanced courses must be completed on campus.
SPNS 2101 Intermediate Spanish 1
SPNS 2102 Intermediate Spanish 2: Becoming a Global Professional
SPNS 3101 Advanced Spanish 1: Deconstructing Borders
or SPNS 3102 Advanced Spanish 2: Hispanic and Latinx Identity
Required Spanish for Healthcare Courses
SPNS 3401 Spanish for Healthcare Professionals 1 (typically offered spring and fall of even years)
SPNS 3402 Spanish for Healthcare Professionals 2 (typically offered spring and fall of odd years)
Electives
Students may replace one or both intermediate courses with electives if they place out by successfully completing the language exam in the World Languages Center. See the electives list for options. At least one of the advanced courses must be completed on campus.
CLTR 1505 Latin American Culture, History, and Politics
CLTR 3240 Social Justice in Latin American and Latinx Film
CLTR 3715 New Narratives: Latin America after 1989
CLTR 3720 Literature, Arts and Poverty in Latin America
SPNS 2900 Specialized Instruction in Spanish
SPNS 3102 Advanced Spanish 2: Hispanic and Latinx Identity
SPNS 3502 Authentic Spanish Grammar
SPNS 3601 Exploring Spoken Spanish
SPNS 3602 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
SPNS 3603 Special Topics in Spanish Linguistics
SPNS 3800 Special Topics in Spanish
SPNS 3900 Specialized Instruction in Spanish
SPNS 4944 Cultural Engagement: Dialogue of Civilization
You can view individual course descriptions in Northeastern’s course catalog.
Getting Started
Please take the Spanish placement test which you can access in the Student Hub. All students who have prior experience with Spanish must take the placement test which lasts around 10-20 minutes. This gives us an idea of what level you will be starting off with and what options you have for courses.
After taking the placement test, please schedule a 15-minute advising meeting with Professor Agostinelli, the Spanish Minor Advisor.
Starting in Fall 2024, you can declare the Spanish for Healthcare Minor using this form.