In addition to the following 9 hours of certificate requirements with a grade of B- or higher, students must satisfy all General Requirements for a Certificate (page 50 of Undergraduate Bulletin) to be eligible to complete this certificate. A minimum of 6 hours must be completed in residence.

Required Courses

• 3 Spanish courses at the 2000 level or above (9 hours total) in the target language, depending on placement test.
  OR
• 3 French courses at the 2000 level or above (9 hours total) in the target language, depending on placement test.
  OR
• 3 German courses at the 2000 level or above (9 hours total) in the target language, depending on placement test
  OR
• 3 Japanese courses at the 2000 level or above (9 hours total) in the target language, in consultation with the Japanese instructor. Students who do not receive 3 hours of Japanese language credit from studying abroad in Japan will consult with the department chair about transferring university credits from another institution, as St. Edward’s currently does not offer a course beyond JAPN 2312.

For course descriptions, view the current Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF) (page 169).

Required Study Abroad Experience 

Participation in any accredited university study abroad program (semester, summer or embedded) in a country of the target language selected for the required certificate courses. All students will be required to complete a Final Reflection Project in consultation with the faculty of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Upon completion of the Certificate in Languages and International Experience, students will be able to:

• Communicate effectively in a second language at an intermediate level (or higher for those who have a background in the target language), demonstrating enhanced linguistic proficiency beyond foundational requirements.
• Apply cross-cultural understanding and communication skills to navigate diverse environments and interactions, fostering global competence.
• Demonstrate increased self-reliance, adaptability and an open-minded approach to unfamiliar situations, developed through international experience.
• Pursue global engagement and professional opportunities that require intermediate language proficiency.

The rising demand for bilingual and multilingual talent is at an all-time high across numerous industries. A 2019 survey among U.S. employers conducted by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) revealed that:

• 9 out of 10 employers rely on employees who can speak languages other than English.
• 56% reported that their demand for bi/multilingual speakers will increase in the next five years.
• 1 in 3 reported a language skills gap.
• 1 in 4 has lost business due to a lack of foreign language skills.

To complete this minor, students must satisfy the following 18 hours of minor requirements.

Required Courses 

• Introduction to Film and Narrative – FILM 1301 (3 hours)
  This course examines film as a narrative art. Students will explore introductory approaches to film analysis and visual storytelling while developing skills in critical viewing. Topics also include the history of cinema and the way movies engage with and contribute to cultural narratives.
• Literature and Film – ENGL 2317 (3 hours)
  This course explores the relationship between film and literature, including how novels, plays and memoirs get adapted into movies. In addition, the course emphasizes close textual reading in the study of film. Students learn vocabulary for analyzing motion pictures and relevant critical approaches. Courses have also been offered in Latino/a Cinema, French Cinema and German Cinema.

Required Electives

Students must complete 12 additional directed elective hours in Film Studies. At least 9 hours must be at the 3000 level or higher.

• Special Topics in Communication (when topic is related to film) – COMM 2399 (3 hours)
• Communication and Popular Culture – COMM 4310 (3 hours)
• Film Theory and Analysis – COMM 4315 (3 hours)
• Native American and Chican@x Film – COMM 4338 (3 hours)
• Special Topics in Communication (when topic is related to film) – COMM 4399 (3 hours)
• LGBTQ Literature and Popular Culture – ENGL 2315 (3 hours)
• Topics in Film and Narrative – FILM 2398 (3 hours)
• Advanced Topics in Film and Narrative – FILM 3399 (3 hours)
• Topics in French and Francophone Literature and Film – FREN 3331 (3 hours)
• Topics in German Language, Literature or Culture (when topic is German History Through Film) – GERM 3338 (3 hours)
• Topics in Exploring Artistic Works (when topic is related to film) – HONS 2315 (3 hours)
• Topics in Global Perspectives (when topic is related to film) – HONS 2324 (3 hours)
• Topics in Exploring Artistic Works (when topic is related to film) – HONS 3315 (3 hours)
• Topics in Global Perspectives (when topic is related to film) – HONS 3324 (3 hours)
• Topics in Spanish (when topic is related to film) – SPAN 3399 (3 hours)

For course descriptions, view the current Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF).

Informal Events

Student-run clubs and faculty-led film festivals on campus enrich the experience.

Austin’s Creative Culture

From indie films to Hollywood blockbusters, Austin is a leading location for movie, television and commercial productions. It’s an ideal city for students to enhance their studies and evaluation of films. 

Students can enjoy great resources beyond the hilltop, such as the Austin Film Society, founded by director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Sunrise, Slacker, Bernie, among others), South by Southwest, the Austin Film Festival, AGLIFF (Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival), and many more.

The Bilingual Health Communication degree is a 30-hour hybrid program that blends in-person and online classes. Students beginning the degree will have advanced proficiency in Spanish as evidenced by either placement test scores, credit-by-exam (AP/IB/CLEP) or prior coursework.

All students interested in this degree, but who have not yet reached the advanced level, are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor or the Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures to create a plan for reaching advanced proficiency. This could require anywhere from 3 to 18 hours of additional coursework, depending on the student’s level of proficiency.

Flexibility for Nontraditional and Transfer Students
Some communication courses are offered in online classes and have equivalencies with ACC and other community colleges, and many courses in the major do not have prerequisites. Check with your academic advisor for details. 

View details on each course in the Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF).

Required Core Courses (21 hours)

• Spanish for the Health and Helping Professions – SPAN 3355 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisites: A score of 550+ on the placement test or equivalent credit-by-exam (AP/CLEP/IB) or completion of SPAN 3330 or SPAN 3341. Students who meet the prerequisites may begin the program.
• Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Latino Health in the U.S. – SPAN 3357 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: A score of 550+ on the placement test or equivalent credit-by-exam (AP/CLEP/IB) or completion of SPAN 3330 or SPAN 3341.
• Introduction to Translation and Interpretation – SPAN 4305 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: A score of 700+ on the placement test or equivalent credit-by-exam (AP/CLEP/IB) or completion of SPAN 3330 or 3341 or 3355 or 3357.
  • General Education Span 4305 is currently designated as a writing-rich course.
• Introduction to Communication – COMM 1306 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore standing only, or permission of instructor
• Health Communication – COMM 3308 (3 hours) (Fall and Spring)
• Applied Health Communication – COMM 4383 (3 hours)
• Internship in Communication – COMM 4350 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisites: Communication Core, sophomore, junior or senior standing, and permission of instructor. (Fall and Spring)
  • General Education: Culminating Experience

Required Electives (9 hours)

Choose at least one from Communication and one from Spanish/Comparative Language, Literature and Culture, and Chicanx-Latinx Studies.

• Interpersonal Communication – COMM 2312 (3 hours)
  • General Education: Social Identities
• Organizational Communication – COMM 2327 (3 hours)
  • General Education: Social Identities
• Active Listening – COMM 2357 (3 hours)
  • General Education: Social Identities
• Intercultural Communication – COMM 3344 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor
  • General Education: Global Perspectives and Social Identities
• Leadership – COMM 4316 (3 hours)
• Spanish Grammar in Context – SPAN 3330 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: Placement score of 700 and above or completion of a course at 3000 level with grade of C or better. (Fall)
  • General Education: Social Identities
• Effective Written Communication – SPAN 3341 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: Placement score of 700 and above or completion of a course at 3000 level with a grade of C or better.
  • General Education: Writing Rich
• Internship in Advanced Spanish for the Health and Helping Professions – Span 4363 (3 hours)
  • Prerequisite: SPAN 3355 or SPAN 3357
• Introduction to Language and Culture – CLLC 1310 (3 hours)
  • General Education: Global Perspectives
• Introduction to Chicanx and Latinx Studies – CHLX 1302 (3 hours)
  • General Education: Diverse American Perspectives and Social Identities

The Bilingual Health Communication program prepares you to become a leader in providing and advancing healthcare literacy and culturally competent care. You’ll engage in dynamic coursework and practical assignments such as these that strengthen your bilingual proficiency and communication skills:

• Reflect critically on the role of communication in molding healthcare messages and the public’s reception of these messages.
• Analyze the health messaging requirements and interests of culturally diverse stakeholders.
• Design, critique and assess health communication messages and campaigns utilizing a variety of communication tools.
• Produce a translation in Spanish that demonstrates knowledge of structural, lexical and cultural differences between English and Spanish and demonstrates mostly consistent control of Spanish grammar and syntax.
• Produce a health communication message or campaign in the target language via an oral presentation that conveys sensitivity to the sociocultural context of diverse populations in Texas and the U.S.
• Write an informative essay in Spanish, sustained by research, that reflects the health messaging requirements and interests of culturally diverse stakeholders.

The ability to communicate in more than one language enhances career prospects for graduates of our Bilingual Health Communication program and, more importantly, improves the quality of patient care. Career paths include a range of professional settings such as these: 

• Public Relations
• Advertising
• Patient Education
• Health Administration
• Social Media
• Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
• Community Health
• Medical Interpretation and Translation

Questions?

For additional information about the BA in Bilingual Health Communication, please contact us. We welcome hearing from you and telling you more about our program!

Stephen King, PhD
Professor of Communication
512-428-1090
sking1@stedwards.edu

Georgia Seminet, PhD
Associate Professor of Spanish
512-448-8565
georgias@stedwards.edu