St. Mary's University 1 Camino Santa MariaSan Antonio, TX 78228 +1-210-436-3011 St. Mary's University logo William Joseph Chaminade
120
Hour Major
18
Hour Minor

Degree

  • Bachelor of Arts https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/spanish-program-1920×450.jpg
  • Minor https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/spanish-program-1920×450.jpg
  • Teacher Certification https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/spanish-program-1920×450.jpg

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  • In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACT or SAT test is optional for prospective students applying for Fall 2020 to join the St. Mary’s University freshmen class of 2024.

St. Mary’s University Spanish course makes waves

The St. Mary’s University Cultural Spanish for Heritage Speakers course taught by Associate Professor of Spanish, Meghann Peace, Ph.D., has a way of inspiring confidence in the language skills and cultural identity of St. Mary’s students. Peace’s innovative approach to embracing the regional dialect of “Spanglish” has also captured the attention of local and national media as students study Spanish, learn about themselves and become champions of their own cultural identity.

  • National Public Radio

    These Students Speak Perfect Spanglish – And Now They’re Learning To Own It

    NPR Story

  • Texas Public Radio

    Latinx College Students Learn To Defend Their Use of Spanglish

    TPR Story

  • Telemundo

    El ‘Spanglish’ representa la identidad de los latinos en EE. UU.

    Telemundo Clip

  • Univision

    El ‘spanglish’ alcanza categoría de estudio universitario en Texas

    Univision Clip

Overview of Languages

Why Spanish at St. Mary’s?

Spanish at St. Mary’s University gives students a rich view of the world, where they will learn more about the second most-spoken language in the United States. They will be able to read and enjoy important literature produced in the Western world in its original language.

The Spanish program at St. Mary’s is one of the oldest at the University. Its roots come from the international education character of the Marianist Order, which has schools and universities not only throughout the United States, but in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Fluently speaking Spanish is a desired skill that can be a powerful tool in many professions.

Degree Plans

Students can pursue a variety of degree options:

A combined program, where students earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in 5 years, is also available:

Spanish Courses

Courses range in subject depending on which degree, minor or certificate the student chooses. Some available courses include:

  • Survey of Spanish Literature
  • Mexican-American / Chicano Culture
  • Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
  • Advanced Communication Skills in Spanish

View the catalog for a full list of courses, including class descriptions:

Course Catalog

Spanish Scholarship Opportunities

Several scholarship options are available for students majoring in Spanish, (B.A. or B.A. with Teacher Certification) in the last semester of their junior year, or to those in the first semester of their senior year.

All scholarships are given annually in the spring semester and funds are posted in the students accounts in the fall.

For information about scholarship deadlines, contact Mark Lokensgard, Ph.D., Department Chair, at mlokensgard@stmarytx.edu or 210-436-3738, or visit the Department of Languages office in Reinbolt Hall, room 312.

This fund was established by an anonymous donor to benefit Spanish majors (B.A. or B.A. with Teacher Certification), and Portuguese and Spanish minors.

To be considered for the award:

  • Write to the chair of the Department of Languages to indicate your intention to participate.
  • Write an essay about why you chose to study Spanish or why you chose to be a Spanish teacher. The essay should include a reflection about how a course of study at St. Mary’s has helped shape your professional and personal views.
  • Email an electronic copy your essay and an unofficial copy of your transcript by the deadline to the Department Chair, Dr. Mark Lokensgard, mlokensgard@stmarytx.edu and CC Rosalinda Helbig, rhelbig@stmarytx.edu, Administrative Assistant.

For more information on the specific requirements for the application and deadline, contact Mark Lokensgard, Ph.D., Department Chair, at mlokensgard@stmarytx.edu or 210-436-3738 or visit the Department of Languages office in Reinbolt Hall, room 312.

Department of Languages Fund

This award was created by Robert Ballinger and is wife Ginny Ballinger. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger have been teachers all their lives. Mr. Ballinger has always had deep connections with the Marianists, and he worked at Worthington, Ohio, as a teacher of French and English. While at Worthington, he developed the French program and eventually taught this language full time.

Mrs. Ballinger, who has a doctorate in Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development from the Ohio State University, taught Spanish at Upper Arlington, was chair of her school’s Global Languages Department, and was appointed State Curriculum Consultant for Foreign Languages at the Ohio Department of Education from 1993 to 2000, when she retired.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger were very active in their state association of language Teachers (Ohio Foreign Language Association), and were each elected as OFLA’s presidents (Mrs. Ballinger 1993-1994, and Mr. Ballinger 2000-2001).

It is a great honor for our Department of Languages at St. Mary’s University to be associated with and beneficiaries of such a fine example of love for teaching and, more specifically, love for teaching languages. We are very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger for their generosity in establishing this award that benefits our students.

The award of up to $3,000 is to be given to a foreign language major with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and demonstrated financial need.  Students in their last semester of their junior year, or the first semester of their senior year are eligible. Preference will be given first to a language student interested in becoming a foreign language teacher, then to a foreign language major, and if no qualified candidate exists, to a student seeking teacher certification in any field.

To be considered for the award:

  • Write to the Chair of the Department of Languages to indicate your intention to participate.
  • Write a three-page essay in English or in Spanish, explaining why you has decided to study Spanish. For those seeking a degree with Teacher Certificate, make sure to write about your plans for a career in teaching.
  • Email an electronic copy your essay and an unofficial copy of your transcript transcript by the deadline to the Department Chair, Dr. Mark Lokensgard, mlokensgard@stmarytx.edu and CC Rosalinda Helbig, rhelbig@stmarytx.edu, Administrative Assistant.

For more information on the specific requirements for the application and deadline, contact Mark Lokensgard, Ph.D., Department Chair, at mlokensgard@stmarytx.edu or 210-436-3738 or visit the Department of Languages office in Reinbolt Hall, room 312.

Rose Louise Ballinger Memorial Scholarship

Outside the Classroom

St. Mary’s students are part of a vibrant community of learners. In addition to academic pursuits, students can choose from a variety of clubs, activities, events and special programs to enhance their experience:

Faculty

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