Majors in Spanish and Hispanic Studies at Colorado Mesa University take classes that provide knowledge and skills intended to produce effective communication in Spanish, as well as an understanding of the relationship of the Spanish language and its cultures to the world in which live. Spanish and Hispanic Studies majors gain valuable insights into Peninsular and Latin-American language and literature, their histories and their cultures. Students are also introduced to the linguistic properties of the Spanish language, with a focused study of Spanish phonetics and phonology. Students take classes which provide insights into Spanish in the professions, such as translation, interpreting, and medical. Spanish graduates work in a variety of professions, where they apply their cultural competencies and in many instances continue their studies in graduate schools.