Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures hosts an interdisciplinary certificate program in Medical Spanish. Open to students in all majors and to non-degree seeking students, the program is designed to address the growing demand for Spanish-speakers in medical settings such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, or homecare. Students with previous Intermediate proficiency will advance during the course of studies to, at least, the Advanced-Low level while acquiring specialized vocabulary, structures, and language pragmatics typically found in the medical field. Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge as nurses, nurse-practitioners, physicians, medical administrators, and front-office staff in medical offices. Furthermore, members of medical teams on missions in South America should find the skills gained through the certificate useful.
Admissions:
Degree-seeking students who wish to enroll in the Certificate program must submit an application, a resume documenting prior experience working in a medical or healthcare setting, and have completed 60 credit hours achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in undergraduate coursework.
Non-degree students may also apply by submitting the following:
- A completed application
- A resume documenting prior experience working in a medical or healthcare setting
- Confirmation of 60 completed undergraduate credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; students with a bachelor's degree and a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher may petition the Program Coordinator for a waiver of the cumulative 2.5 GPA requirement
- Transcript(s) from any other college(s) previously attended
- Bio-Demographic information, Virginia In-State Tuition Form, Non-degree course registration request
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 202A | Intermediate Spanish II 1 | 3 |
| or SPAN 306 | Composition and Grammar | |
| SPAN 305 | Conversation and Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 415 | Advanced Conversation 2 | 3 |
| HSCI 120 | Medical Terminology for Health Professionals 3 | 3 |
| SPAN 394 | Spanish for Medical Purposes | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
SPAN 306 Composition and Grammar may be taken if student has proficiency beyond the Intermediate-mid level
- 2
Optional: SPAN 000 Service Learning, 42 community hours, can be taken as part of SPAN 415
- 3
Or experience as medical professional (established by Nursing faculty), which will reduce the credit load by 3 credits
Note: Students must maintain an overall 2.5 grade-point average in certificate program courses to complete the program.
Certificate in Medical Spanish Program
Marcel Rotter, Program Coordinator, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Affiliated Faculty
Janet M. Atarthi-Dugan, Nursing
María Laura Bocaz-Leiva, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Gonzalo S. Campos-Dintrans, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Ana Garcia Chichester, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Antonia L. Delgado-Poust, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Marcelo Fajardo-Cárdenas, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Jeremy G. Larochelle, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Elizabeth F. Lewis, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Maria Isabel Martinez-Mira, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Martha Patricia Orozco, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures