About the Program
The Spanish Advantage (SPV) Certificate is an excellent way to develop and document Spanish language proficiency. The certificate is a five-course sequence that includes at least one 300-level course. Successful completion of the certificate signals that you embrace your global citizenship and is invaluable in the ever-expanding global marketplace of careers.
The certificate targets ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Intermediate-level proficiency, which is a baseline for workplace competence in a second language. The skills you will learn include being able to talk about your daily life; asking and answering simple questions about what is going on around you; and speaking with native language speakers who are used to speaking with non-native speakers.
It is important to note that, while the certificate targets ACTFL Intermediate-level proficiency, you will not be awarded ACTFL certification along with your certificate.
Admission Requirements
To be awarded the certificate, you must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum language specific GPA of 2.66 throughout the entire course sequence. You may transfer in some language credits, upon approval, but must complete at least two courses in the sequence at Buffalo State, including one 3XX-level course. Applying outside course equivalents or credits by examination (e.g., CLEP, IB, etc.) to the certificate is subject to departmental approval and may, in some cases, require a proficiency interview.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. participate in everyday conversations about the immediate environment in Spanish with sympathetic speakers who are accustomed to conversing with non-native speakers.
2. differentiate elementary Spanish texts in a largely clear, precise, and accurate way, including some kinds of texts that are common in professional contexts (e.g., emails, memos, reports, and minutes).
3. differentiate elementary Spanish texts in a largely clear, precise, and accurate way, including some kinds of texts that are common in professional contexts (e.g., emails, memos, reports, and minutes).
4. recognize the values, attitudes, customs, beliefs, and conventions particular to various Spanish-speaking countries and regions.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SPA101 BEGINNING SPANISH I | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA102 BEGINNING SPANISH II | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA201 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA202 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II | 3 - Credit Hours
OR SPA204 PROFESSIONAL SPANISH II | 3 - Credit Hours
Elective 3xx Level Course
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
SPA301 INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC CULTURES | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA302 INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC MEDIA | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA309 CULTURES AND CIVILIZATION OF LATIN AMERICA | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA317 BUSINESS SPANISH | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA398 SPANISH FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
SPA399 SPANISH FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
15 Total Credit Hours
Completion requirement
SPA 2XX-level courses have SPA 102 as a prerequisite.
SPA 3XX-level courses have SPA 2XX-level courses as prerequisites.