Students who major in Spanish language and literature may be required or encouraged to spend some time living, working, and studying abroad. Most programs coordinate semester abroad or work internships. In most cases, you can participate in these after you have completed at least two years of language study.

Many programs combine Latin American literature and cultural studies with the study of Spanish language and literature. In other cases, programs combine the study of Spanish language and literature with Portuguese.

Colleges that do not have complete programs in Spanish language and literature may offer elective courses as part of a major in interdisciplinary studies or liberal arts.

Some programs only focus on select Spanish-speaking countries. Often these programs are located in an area that was settled historically by a group of Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Very few people who receive a bachelor's degree in Spanish language and literature ever get a job directly related to the field. Even so, this program provides a solid background for many careers that require a four-year degree. Because Spanish is widely spoken in the U.S., many jobs require you to be bilingual in both English and Spanish. Therefore, knowing Spanish is a useful skill for many careers. These include social services, journalism, healthcare, law enforcement, and teaching.