SPANISH K-12 EDUCATION

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K-12 Teacher Certification in Spanish provides prospective teachers with the attitudes, content, pedagogical knowledge and skills necessary for a teaching career in elementary, middle, or high school. The curriculum immerses students in the Spanish Language content area, balancing preparatory pedagogical courses with direct application of knowledge and skills through meaningful field experiences.

Students who plan to teach Spanish in K-12, can be certified through the Education department and get their major in Spanish. The Spanish education program is designed to give students a broad background in literature to prepare them for the praxis exam and the subjects they are likely to teach. Therefore, the education program has more requirements. As part of the regular Spanish major, students are required to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

Students must earn a C or higher in the general education classes PSY 206 Human Growth and Development, COM 101 Oral Communications, and MA 113 College Algebra (or higher math). They must earn a C or higher in ED 300 Education as a Profession, ED 306 Introduction to Exceptional Learners, ED 351 Educational Measurement, and ED 360 Educational Psychology, and they must earn a B or higher in ED 302 Art and Science of Teaching.

Teacher Education

To be admitted to the Teacher Education program, students must also pass the Praxis Core exam or earn a 21 or higher on the ACT and complete 44 hours with a 2.75 GPA or higher, and pass a criminal background check.

Educator Preparation Program Progression

Once admitted, students will successfully complete FL 410 Methods & Materials in Secondary Language, and then they qualify to begin their teacher internship semester, when they will enroll in ED 401 Classroom Management and ED 407 Observation and Directed Teaching in Grades K-12.

Advising

Because the education program has additional requirements, the number of free electives in a student’s curriculum is limited. Students interested in K-12 education certification should declare their major early in order to get proper advising so they progress through their curriculum in a timely fashion. Your advisor will know when required courses are usually offered and can help you decide which electives will allow you to fulfill the required distribution of courses. Without proper advising, you may spend more time earning your degree.

Students should complete most of their education and major requirements prior to their senior year. In the fall semester of their senior year, students must complete any remaining requirements and take FL 410 Methods and Materials of Language Education. Then in the Spring semester students complete their degree with the Student Teaching Semester.

Alternate Route Certification

Students who do not begin the education certification track early in their college career may want to consider alternate route certification, if they become interested in teaching in their junior or senior year. Students who qualify will complete a regular Spanish major, and in their senior year may take two graduate education courses while registered as an undergraduate student. Taking these classes, along with earning a 21 or higher on the ACT or passing Praxis Core and a criminal background check will qualify them for a Mississippi Educator 3-year Nonrenewable Alternate Route License. They may begin teaching and must enroll in a Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program. Then they must continue to make progress towards the MAT degree while on the 3-year license and can apply for a full education license once they have completed the program. 

Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Spanish BA with K-12 Education Certification Curriculum

This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.

General Education Curriculum

In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.

The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.

All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:

• Critical Thinking
• Effective Communication
• Cultural Literacy
• Quantitative & Technology Skills
• Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
• Life-Long Learning

View General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:

• Foreign Language 101-102 8 semester hours
• Foreign Language 201-202 6 semester hours

To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.

Teacher Education Requirements

Teacher Education Majors are required to pass the following courses with a C or higher as part of their major and their General Education Curriculum.

• MA 113 - College Algebra or higher Math including MA 123 (3 semester hours)
• COM 101 - Oral Communication
• PSY 206 - Human Growth and Development

Major Coursework

The following are required courses and should be taken upon completion of FLS 202 or with instructor’s permission (12 semester hours):

FLS 251 - Conversation and Composition I
FLS 252 - Conversation and Composition II
FLS 301 - Advanced Grammar
FL 410 - Methods and Materials in Secondary Language

Cultures and Civilizations (3 hours)

Select one from the following courses:

FLS 305 - Civilizations and Cultures of Spain
FLS 306 - Civilizations and Cultures of Latin America

Required Survey Sequence (6 semester hours):

FLS 311 - Survey of Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World I
FLS 312 - Survey of Literature of the Spanish-Speaking World II

Spanish Electives

Select 2 elective courses (6 credit hours) at or above FLS 201.

Required Study Abroad

Required Study abroad in Spanish-speaking country (minimum of 6 semester hours with prior approval from and in consultation with Spanish Faculty).

Prior to enrolling in a program, students and faculty will discuss coursework, program costs, travel expenses, room and board and other related expenses. Students who are unable to travel abroad may complete the requirement locally. A student who chooses this option must provide an explanation to the Spanish faculty as to the reason they cannot travel abroad. Approval will only be given to students experiencing a valid hardship that would prevent them from studying abroad. Once approved, the student can fulfill their required 6 study abroad credits with FLS 390 Spanish Service-Learning Internship and one additional advanced Spanish course, FLS 305 or higher.

Professional Education Requirements, 7-12 (Minimum grade of C required):

Total Hours Required for a BA in Spanish with K-12 Education Certification: 124 Semester Hours