Science and Language Undergraduate Development (SALUD)

Carroll University's new interdisciplinary program offers students who are interested in Spanish and the health sciences an opportunity to prepare themselves for careers in a high-demand field.

Studies have consistently shown that being bilingual in Spanish and English greatly increases job prospects and marketability in virtually all fields. For instance, 90% of U.S. employers seek a multilingual workforce [1]; 85% of U.S. employers rely on Spanish [2]; bilingual employees have the potential to earn 5-20% more than their monolingual coworkers [3]; and CNN Money at one point named bilingualism the “hottest skill” for those seeking employment [4].

In health-care professions, the demand for Spanish speakers is especially high. According to U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics will comprise nearly 25% of the U.S. population by 2045, but less than 6% of physicians in the United States speak Spanish [5]. Language barriers are among the top reasons why Hispanics don't seek the care they need [6], and the Association of American Medical Colleges stresses the need for more bilingual providers in order to provide equitable health care in Latino communities [7].

Program Highlights

In the SALUD program, Spanish and the health sciences are combined in coursework, cultural events, community service opportunities, a student organization and specialized international travel programs.

Students in the SALUD program will be provided with tailored academic plans for those pursuing the following degrees:

Career Opportunities

SALUD Program graduates will be prepared for medical and dental school as well as careers in the fields above. In addition, other career opportunities include:

Public health professional
Pharmaceutical sales
Medical equipment sales
Community educator
Researcher
Translator/interpreter
Teacher

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