BA in Spanish

The Siena Heights Spanish program doesn’t want its students to just “learn” Spanish; students will be able to speak it. In fact, students will start speaking Spanish on their very first day of class. The program features a “flipped” classroom format, meaning the grammar is no longer taught in the classroom but as an online lecture.

The project-oriented program focuses in on the liberal arts of communication, technology, and creativity.

Another unique aspect of the program is the Costa Rica Experience. Faculty accompany students for a three-month study abroad trip that allows students to immerse themselves not only in the language but in the culture as well. While taking Spanish classes, students will also be to take courses like marine biology.

Spanish is a skill that can accompany any major and allows our graduates to be independent, cross-cultural, and adaptable in their careers.

From day one, the Siena Heights Spanish program strives to speak Spanish. Students will spend as much time as possible using the target language.

We do this by removing grammar lectures from the classroom thus allowing more time for activities.

We work closely with academic advisors so that students can pair a Spanish minor/major with a business major or communications major to name a few. After completing intermediate Spanish, students have the option to spend three months living with a Costa Rican host family while attending Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica. While abroad, students live with families, travel on the weekends, and take five classes (three Spanish classes and two electives).

Fast Fact

Spanish majors have the opportunity to earn money as Spanish tutors, volunteer as translators and interpreters, and be involved in the Latino community.

Program Distinctions

• We incorporate the flipped classroom to spend more time speaking Spanish instead of talking about Spanish;
• Most courses incorporate a technology-based final project that is posted on YouTube;
• Work to send all Spanish majors and minors to Costa Rica for a semester.

The Costa Rica Experience

As part of the Spanish major and minor, students now have the opportunity to study abroad in San José, Costa Rica at Veritas University.

Specifically, we have partnered with their Center for International Programs which brings students from all over the world to learn Spanish.

While there the students will take classes in Spanish (for the major-minor) and classes in English (liberal arts). This allows them to stay on track while abroad. Students live with Costa Rican families and can either walk to school or take the university shuttle.

On the weekends, the students travel all over the country to the university. From rain forests to volcanoes to the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, there is an infinite number of things to experience.

Students can study in fall, winter or summer, but our biggest group of students students from January to April.

Siena Heights University is a Catholic university founded in 1919 and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Enrolling a diverse community of traditional-age and working adult students, Siena Heights is a coeducational institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission that was founded in the liberal arts tradition, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The University is headquartered in Adrian, Mich., with degree completion centers in Dearborn, Southfield, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Jackson, and Online.

Mission

The name Siena honors St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Italian Dominican who dedicated her life to a quest for truth and social responsibility. Similarly, the mission of the institution – to help students become more competent, purposeful, and ethical – grows out of the philosophy of Siena.

Throughout its history, Siena Heights has built a proud tradition of innovative responses to challenging social needs. Originally a college for women who intended to become teachers, Siena broadened its offerings over the years and by the 1950s was recognized as one of the nation’s 10 best liberal arts colleges for women.

The mission of Siena Heights University, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

In addition to the accreditation of Siena Heights University by the Higher Learning Commission, the following academic programs are accredited by their professional organizations:

• BFA and BA Programs in Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
• BSW in Social Work is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE).
• The Division of Education at Siena Heights University is granted Accreditation at the initial-licensure level by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
• The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing at Siena Heights University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
• The master’s degree program in nursing at Siena Heights University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Siena Heights holds membership in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan, the Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF), the Council of Independent Colleges, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Council for Opportunity in Education, the Association of Governing Boards, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and several athletic conferences, including the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

The University is authorized to prepare students for teacher certification in Michigan and other states. Upon request, students may review University accreditation at the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sacred Heart Hall, Room 202, on the Adrian campus.