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Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions Minor

Medicine is a science, but communication is an art. This immersive minor prepares you to connect with patients and coworkers in their native Spanish while also being aware of their cultures.

College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus

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What You'll Learn

While other schools offer just a handful of medical courses taught in Spanish, Drake University’s minor includes five. Each adds a new dimension to your ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients, work as an educator, or participate in public health initiatives: you’ll learn different medical terms, how to serve as a translator for English-speaking doctors, and even how to handle insurance issues.

And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll learn to approach healthcare from a cultural perspective as well as a scientific one. Because many Latinos prefer to seek the help of neighborhood healers, they may be skeptical of more formal, Western-style medicine. You’ll be able to navigate patients’ concerns and guide them to appropriate solutions.

About the Minor in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions

  • Hone your speaking skills in weekly Conversation Hours—informal, no-pressure opportunities to chat in Spanish.
  • Study abroad through faculty-led travel seminars, J-Term classes, or semester or year-long exchange programs.
  • Boost your job (and earning) prospects by combining this program with a major in Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
  • Many courses in this minor fulfill the Global and Cultural Understanding category for Drake’s Areas of Inquiry (AOI) requirement.
  • Start your studies at the right level using our computer-based, adaptive placement exam ahead of registering for classes. Note: Students must test at the fourth-semester proficiency level to enroll in the minor.
  • Open to students in any major.

Program Facts

  • 18 credits
  • On campus
  • 2-3 years to completion
  • Full- or part-time

Program Options

Each of Drake’s language programs builds your communication skills by emphasizing cultural competency and real-world applications. This pairing equips you to make meaningful connections—and helps get your résumé seen for healthcare, public health, and other careers interfacing with the public.

Minor in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions

After completing Intermediate Spanish II (or higher), students will take 18 hours of courses focused on medical applications. Required subjects include Spanish Medical Terminology, Bilingual Medical Interpreting, and Cultural Health Perspectives.

B.A. in Spanish

In addition to 24 hours of language courses taught at or above the intermediate level, students take six hours of English-language electives such as Urban Education Immigration; Sex, Power, and War: The Aztec Empire; and Latino/a Literature. The six hours can also be completed in additional Spanish courses above the 150-level. The Minor in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions complements the Spanish major, providing more focused career preparation.

Other Complementary Programs

Taken with the Pre-Law or a 3+3 Law program, this minor can prepare you to effectively assist medical malpractice clients. As a Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Med, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences, or Psychology student, you’ll be ready to serve millions of Spanish-speaking individuals, whether close to home or abroad.

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty teach language by relating it to cultural knowledge, often referencing first-hand experiences. They’ll serve as guides as you progress academically, professionally, and personally in Drake’s Minor in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions.

Dr. Inbal Mazar

Dr. Inbal Mazar

Associate Professor, Spanish

All Faculty Members

Outside the Classroom

The best way to learn a language is by using it in everyday situations. Challenge yourself and see how much you’ll learn through internships, studying abroad, and interacting with our neighbors in Des Moines.

A student smiles while standing in front of a historic location on a study abroad trip

Study Abroad and Exchange Opportunities

Immerse yourself in Spanish when you join our DU Spain program in Seville, a faculty-led J-Term course in Mexico, or partner-led exchange programs in Mexico, Chile, or Spain.

A student and a professor smile while working on a mannikin in a medical setting

Service Learning

We foster cultural connections and global citizenship by encouraging our students to serve our community and the world beyond. All World Languages & Cultures students learn to adapt to different audiences in an array of impactful experiences with local, national, and international organizations.

Dancers in traditional Spanish costumes during a performance

Student Organizations and Cultural Events

Get to know Des Moines’ Latino community through student groups such as La Fuerza Latina and El Ritmo Latino. Attend networking events, visit area schools, take Latin dance lessons, and more.

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Research

Study topics related to the Spanish language and its cultures, and present your findings at the annual Nelson Student Research Symposium.

Award medals laid out on a table

Outstanding Achievement Award

With this annual award, the Department of World Languages and Cultures recognizes students with exceptional language skills and cultural knowledge.

Careers & Skills

Navigating our healthcare system can be daunting—especially if English isn’t your primary language. Many of our alumni go on to work as therapists, pharmacists, and medics who serve Spanish-speaking patients after completing the necessary training in their chosen fields. Others become educators in the U.S., Mexico, or Spain, where several have taught for the Ministry of Culture.

In addition, many WLC graduates have received the Fulbright Scholarship, attended international graduate schools, and completed internships in areas that incorporate their language abilities.

Opportunities

  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Mental health
  • Politics
  • Pharmacy
  • Public health/epidemiology
  • Social services

Skills

  • Speaking, listening, reading, and writing Spanish with a focus on medical and health applications
  • Recognize, comprehend, and develop respect for the differences among various types of Spanish and their related cultures
  • Engage in the practice of utilizing various techniques and skills necessary to translate between Spanish and English
  • Develop the ability to collaborate effectively
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Salary Growth and Outlook

$

Median salary for health education specialists in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“As a future pharmacist, I want to learn more about how drugs, healthcare, and medical necessities touch those who experience homelessness. By volunteering with Drake’s Engaged Citizen Corps and compiling research, I’m learning to be more understanding of my future patients and understand why our systems are the way that they are.”
Abigail Axell, PH’27, MBA’27
Pre-Pharmacy Major/Minor in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions

Related Programs

All of Drake’s World Languages and Cultures programs create stronger communicators by cultivating speaking skills, cultural understanding, and responsible global citizenship. Explore more of our department’s offerings:

French Language and Culture, Minor

This comprehensive exploration of the French language fosters linguistic and cultural competence through a globetrotting tour of its diverse Francophone regions.

German Language and Culture, Minor

German is the second-most spoken language in the EU. This minor will help you build the skills to participate in Europe’s biggest economy.

Japanese Language and Culture, Minor

Learn to communicate in Japanese while taking an intensive look at the country’s culture in a minor that prepares you to live and work overseas.

Take the Next Step

Build a bridge to better care for Spanish-speaking patients. Learn more about minoring in Spanish for the Medical and Health Professions at Drake.

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