If you’ve ever wondered what you can do with a master’s degree in Spanish, you’re not alone. Whether you’re passionate about language and culture or looking for a flexible, globally relevant career, an MA in Spanish opens doors across many industries. From teaching and translation to travel and international affairs, this graduate degree offers more than you might expect.
And with flexible online Spanish degree programs now available, including a 100% online Master of Arts in Spanish from UT Permian Basin, it’s easier than ever to earn your degree without hitting pause on your life.
So, what can you actually do with this degree? Let’s break it down.
A Master of Arts in Spanish can open doors to a wide range of careers where language, culture, and communication intersect. With advanced Spanish-language skills and cultural expertise, you’ll be prepared for roles in many industries, including:
Whether you want to teach, write, travel, or serve bilingual communities, this degree equips you with the tools to thrive in a global, multilingual job market.
Curious about particular career paths? Potential roles include (but are certainly not limited to):
Completing a graduate degree is a considerable accomplishment, and something to be proud of. But once you’ve got your degree in hand, what’s next?
The truth is: what you do with your degree is up to you. To get the greatest value out of your educational investment, it helps to know what kind of opportunities an MA in Spanish can open.
Here’s how a master’s degree in Spanish can help you level-up your career:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2025, the median weekly earnings for professionals with a master’s degree were $1,840, compared to $1,543 for those with only a bachelor’s degree—a difference of over $15,000 annually. That wage boost can really add up over the course of your career, especially if your role involves bilingual communication or international engagement.
BLS data also shows a direct link between higher education and employment stability, with graduate degree holders experiencing the lowest unemployment rates of all education levels.
In fact, in 2024, the unemployment rate for individuals with a master’s degree was just 2.2%, compared to 2.5% for those with a bachelor’s degree alone. That slight margin can make a big difference during economic uncertainty or industry shifts, giving you added peace of mind.
An MA in Spanish can lead to jobs in:
Spanish remains the most spoken non-English language in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 22% of U.S. residents aged 5 and older spoke a language other than English at home in 2023, with 13.2% speaking Spanish.
This linguistic trend reflects the growing Hispanic population, which reached 65.2 million in July 2023. That figure represents a remarkable 19.5% of the total U.S. population.
The increasing number of Spanish speakers in the United States indicates a growing need for bilingual individuals to serve them in a variety of professional capacities. Outside of the professional world, people need to converse with one another in many contexts, whether getting into an elevator or going to a doctor’s appointment.
With a master’s degree in Spanish, you’ll be prepared to successfully navigate professional and social settings as the demographics of the United States continue to evolve.
There are more than 20 countries and territories outside the continental United States where Spanish is the primary language spoken. There are different dialects and cultural norms, of course, but they share many commonalities. Your Master of Arts in Spanish prepares you to live and work in one of those areas, should your career, your family, ambitions, or other factors lead you there in the future.
If you decide to pursue a PhD later, you’ll be prepared to thrive in programs including Hispanic studies, Spanish linguistics, and Spanish literature. A master’s degree can also make you a more competitive candidate for selective doctoral programs and may even allow you to transfer credits or fulfill preliminary requirements ahead of time.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a 100% online master’s degree in Spanish that helps you build your proficiency not only in the language, but in diverse aspects of Spanish culture, literature, language-teaching methodology, and linguistics.
This online program’s curriculum is identical to UT Permian Basin’s on-campus program, and it’s taught by the same acclaimed faculty who teach on campus. You’ll get the quality education you expect and deserve from UT Permian Basin, with the added convenience of an online format. And there are other advantages:
If you’ve previously earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meet the other admission requirements, you can apply to become part of this rewarding graduate program!
Most individuals can’t simply put their life on hold to earn a master’s degree—and we don’t expect you to. When you choose UT Permian Basin’s online MA in Spanish program, you’ll quickly discover how successfully our asynchronous, 100% online format serves students who have jobs and families. Complete coursework on your own schedule from practically anywhere on the planet. You can continue to meet your professional and personal commitments while earning a career-transforming graduate degree.
Broaden your professional horizons with an online Master of Arts in Spanish from UT Permian Basin!
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/unemployment-earnings-education.htm
https://apnews.com/article/immigration-census-foreign-languages-f91c4b4785926e31e7317b2b8b7d9533
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