Certificate in Spanish for Business Management and Public Administration

Program Description:

The Certificate in Spanish for Business Management and Public Administration is a dynamic, career-enhancing program designed to equip professionals with specialized language skills and cultural knowledge to engage with Spanish-speaking communities effectively. This fully online program is taught almost entirely in Spanish, immersing students in real-world scenarios that emphasize business terminology, administrative communication, cross-dialectal variations, and cultural nuances relevant to the corporate and public sectors.  

Ideal for professionals in business, government, and non-profit that have (or desire to build) a strong Spanish speaking customer and employee market, this certificate provides oral and written fluency in professional Spanish, enabling meaningful connections with the Latino community in both the public and private sectors. Graduates will develop the skills needed for culturally competent and effective communication, fostering trust and collaboration in their professional roles. 

By earning this certificate, you will gain a competitive edge in the job market, enhancing your qualifications for high-demand careers in corporate management, government agencies, and public service. Career opportunities include roles within: 

• U.S. Department of Commerce
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• International Business and Trade Organizations
• Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies
• Nonprofit and Community Development Organizations

Program Coordinators:

Dr. Carmen Dagostino
Phone: 909-537-7386
Email: cjany@csusb.edu
Location: UH-201.43

Dr. George Thomas 
Phone: 909-537-5849
Email: george.thomas@csusb.edu
Location: UH-314

Certificate Website Link

Admission to the Certificate: 

The minimum requirements for admission to the certificate are as follows: 

Spanish Language Requirement:  Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish through one of the following: 

Completion of SPAN 1112 or an equivalent transfer course 

A score of 4 or higher on the Spanish AP exam 

Native Spanish speakers must take the Spanish Placement Exam and place into SPAN 2111, 2251, 2261, or higher to begin the program. 

Additional requirements: Evidence of success potential in the program, including transcript showing strong academic performance in undergraduate coursework; personal statement; writing sample in Spanish; contact information for two references; and typically a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Please note that the program takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, considering various candidate qualities, including a student’s personal attributes, past experiences, and future goals, and how those might contribute to a good fit with the program.  

Application Instructions:

Your application for graduate study at CSUSB includes a two-part review: 

Part 1: Office of Graduate Studies 

The Office of Graduate Studies reviews your application for general university admission requirements and requires you to upload an unofficial transcript from the institution that awarded your bachelor’s degree. Also, upload transcripts from every post-baccalaureate institution attended, including study abroad and community college coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies may request additional transcripts from you at any time during the application process to complete our review. 

Part 2: Business Management and Public Administration Spanish Certificate Program 

Spanish Language Requirement: All Spanish courses in the program are taught fully in Spanish. The Spanish language pre-requisite is Span 1112 or equivalent transfer credit or a Spanish AP exam score of 4 or higher. Native speakers without any prior Spanish coursework may arrange to take a Spanish Placement exam. 

In addition to your Spanish skills, we consider a broad range of candidate qualities in our admissions process. These include your personal attributes, past experiences, and future goals, and how those might contribute to a good fit with our program and its values and objectives. You should, therefore, carefully prepare your supporting documents.  

Please upload your personal statement (written in English or Spanish) to the documents section of this application. If you have questions about the application process, please contact the certificate coordinators. 

We recommend that you thoroughly review both the Office of Graduate Studies and the Business Management and Public Administration Spanish Certificate websites before you complete this application. 

Application Requirements:

• $70 Application Fee
• Unofficial transcripts from each college or university
• Personal Statement
• Writing Sample
• Two References

Application Details:

• $70 Application Fee
• Unofficial Transcripts from each college or university attended since high school graduation
• Personal Statement
  • Describe your academic and career goals and highlight why the Spanish for Business Management and Public Administration Certificate is a good fit for you. Write your statement in English or Spanish; include your experience with academics, volunteerism, research, cultural and linguistic diversity, and work. If there is any context you wish to provide about your GPA or academic performance, you can provide that in your personal statement as well. Please limit your personal statement to 500 words. 
• Writing Sample
  • One Spanish writing sample (500-750 words) that reflects your ability to write a balanced, well-reasoned argument or a clear, coherent presentation of information in Spanish, such as a college term paper or a work-related report. 
• Contact information for two references
  • Please provide the names, position titles, and contact information (email and phone) of two academic or professional references.