In recent years Latinos have become the largest immigrant group in many American states, including Rhode Island. Career opportunities for people bilingual in Spanish and English abound in the market, service and professional sectors of the economy. The core of the Spanish program at the University of Rhode Island is language skills training grounded to a solid understanding of the literature and culture of the Hispanic world. Special programs in international engineering and business lead to a dual degree and include an internship in a Hispanic country. The department also offers work in Spanish linguistics and literature in translation.
Many students find it practical to combine a language major with a major in another discipline.