The Department of Languages and Literatures, in cooperation
with the Division of Health Sciences, has created a new cooperative,
interdisciplinary major in Spanish for the Health Professions. Our
major combines
existing courses in the College of Arts and Letters and in the Division
of
Health Sciences to create a flexible, hybrid degree designed to
increase
graduate marketability and to better serve the health care needs of our
state,
region, and country. Spanish proficiency is listed as a
“highly desirable”
characteristic in applicants to almost all medical programs in the
United
States. The major in Spanish for the Health Professions is designed to
increase
student competitiveness after graduation when seeking employment in
health
care, as well as in post-secondary health profession programs.
This major has three core areas of instruction: the Language Core, Health Professions Core, and Culture Core. The Language Core is designed to increase student proficiency in Spanish and is designed according to ACTFL (American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language) standards. Our qualified faculty contribute to the quality and depth of language acquisition through their training and awareness of both linguistic and cultural issues within the Spanish-speaking community. The Culture Core is designed for diversity; several departments in the College of Arts and Letters provide courses that meet the requirements for this part of the major. The health professions core is provided by the Division of Health Sciences.
Our assessments in the three cores of
instruction are
designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in all three
areas, and
to have their proficiency be a significant, tangible contribution to
their
degree. The Department of Languages and Literatures provides the
linguistic
core and elements of the culture core which are delivered faculty
with qualifications in medical interpretation and translation. The culture
and
diversity core courses are provided by several departments in the
College of
Arts and Letters. Courses
in all
departments undergo regular assessment and program review. The health
professions core is provided by the Division of Health Sciences whose
units
report regularly to external accrediting bodies and/or licensing boards.
This major is ideally suited to the
needs of the changing
demographic of the state of Idaho and the United States at large.
Possible
employment opportunities in Idaho alone have Certified Spanish/English
Medical
Interpreters working in a variety of fields from Health Care
Administration to
banking and finance, to social work.
As of 2013, ISU’s Major in
Spanish for the Health
Professions is one-of-a-kind in higher education.
Learn more about what you can do with a major
in Spanish for the Health Professions by reading our Fact Sheet, and
come by
our office in BA 338 to meet our faculty. Welcome to a new opportunity
for
success!
Contact Information
| Dr. Cathleen Tarp Office: BA 340 Phone: 208-282-3329 Email: tarphele@isu.edu |
Dr. Anna Hiller Office: BA 339C Phone: 208-282-4070 Email: hillanna@isu.edu |
Department of Languages and Literatures Office: BA 338 Phone: 208-282-3630 Fax: 208-282-3098 Email: wardashl@isu.edu |