Teaching Certificate

Pursuing a B.A. in Spanish Education not only insures bilingual and bicultural competencies, but also fosters critical and creative thinking skills through the study of literature, linguistics, curriculum, pedagogy, cognition, Culture, and cultures. Our program promotes these skills by introducing students to philosophical issues examined in literature and art; to writing and analytical skills; to professional teaching skills; and to the rich cultural complexities of languages, peoples, and nations across the globe. In addition to Education (public and private K-12 schools, student exchange programs, corporate programs for foreign transfers), a student with a BA degree in Spanish Education may consider work in the following areas: government (armed forces, Department of Justice, US Citizenship and Immigration Service), non-profit organizations (civic organizations, international exchange programs, social work and social services), commerce (customer service, translation and interpretation, research, marketing firms), travel and tourism (airlines and airports, travel agencies, convention centers), arts media & entertainment (advertising, foreign news agencies, museums) or public service (civil service, international service organizations, social and rehab services).

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Demonstrate proficient Spanish listening comprehension and speaking skills in diverse situations.
  2. Analyze and respond to various kinds of texts written in Spanish.
  3. Apply Spanish orthographic code and grammatical concepts in written assignments.
  4. Compose critical essays in Spanish that demonstrate logical analysis, reason, and well--‐supported arguments.
  5. Understand the historical and geographical development, expansion, and influence of Spanish in the world.
  6. Identify major trends, figures, and influences on the development of cultural and artistic production in the Hispanic world.

A – GENERAL EDUCATION CORE – 42 HOURS

Students must fulfill the General Education Core requirements.

B – MAJOR REQUIREMENTS – 42 HOURS (36 advanced)

  1. Spanish Core – 12 hours (6 advanced)
    • SPAN 2313 Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I
    • SPAN 2315 Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers II
    • SPAN 3300 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition I
    • SPAN 3301 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition II
  2. Literature – 12 hours (12 advanced)
    • SPAN 3305 Techniques of Literary Analysis
    • SPAN 3306 Introduction to Spanish Literature
    • SPAN 3307 Introduction to Latin American Literature
    • SPAN 3308 Introduction to Latina/o Literature
  3. Linguistics – 9 hours (9 advanced)
    • SPAN 4310 Spanish Applied Linguistics
    • SPAN 4315 Acquisition of the Spanish Language
    Choose one:
    • SPAN 3311 Spanish Phonology and Phonetics
    • SPAN 4311 Spanish in Social Context
  4. Support Courses – 9 hours (9 advanced)
    • SPAN 3338 The Hispanic World
    • SPAN 4370 Teaching Spanish as a Heritage Language
    • SPAN 4380 Senior Seminar

C – TEACHER CERTIFICATION – 27 HOURS (24 advanced)

Area of Certification: Spanish (EC-12)

  • EDFR 2301 Intercultural Context of Schooling
  • EDUC 3301 The Teaching Profession and Student Learning in Contemporary Schools
  • EDUC 3302 Human Development, Learning Theories, and Student Learning
  • EDUC 3303 Teaching in Today’s Diverse Classrooms
  • EDUC 3304 Instructional Planning, Classroom Management, and Assessment to Promote Student Learning
  • EDUC 4306 Implementing and Assessing Effective Secondary Content Pedagogy
  • READ 4305 Content Area Literacy
  • EDUC 4611 Student Teaching Secondary or All-Level

D – FREE ELECTIVES – 9 HOURS

  • SPAN 3309 is recommended.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR GRADUATION – 120 HOURS

TOTAL ADVANCED HOURS – 60 HOURS

ADMISSION, PROGRESSION, AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, if applicable:

Progression requirements

For teacher certification, students must apply for admission and be accepted to the College of Education and P-16 Integration prior to enrolling in teacher certification courses, except for EDFR 2301 which is open to all students. Students unable to be admitted to EDUC 4611 will be required to substitute for 6 advanced hours, as recommended by advisor.

Graduation requirements

  1. Students must pass Oral Proficiency Interview (ACTFL), pass the TExES LOTE Spanish Exam (TEA), and pass the TExES PPR exam (TEA).
  2. In addition to the graduation requirements listed in the UTRGV 2015-2017 Undergraduate Catalog, demonstration of proficiency in a language other than English is required at the undergraduate level equivalent to a minimum of six credit hours. Proficiency can be demonstrated by a college credit exam, a placement test approved through the UTRGV Department of Writing and Language Studies, and/or up to six credit hours of college-level language coursework.