Spanish (Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Arts
Program Overview
This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
Globalization and the Internet Revolution have intensified contact among cultures, and hence an education in multiple languages and technology is an absolute imperative in the new millennium. Pursuing a B.A. in Spanish with Teacher Certification 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).
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program at the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is required for completion of teacher certification requirements with the undergraduate degree. All admission requirements are in accordance to Texas Administrative Code rules §227.10 and the HEA Title II accountability requirements. All applicants must meet the current certification requirements in effect at the time of application, regardless of the catalog year of degree plan. For current admission requirements, application process and timeline visit the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability admissions site.
Progression requirements for this program.
- Spanish Language Placement Requirement
- Students in the BA in Spanish program must complete a departmental exam to assess Spanish proficiency.
- Students whose Spanish proficiency requires placement in SPAN 1311, SPAN 1312 or SPAN 2311 will not be permitted to apply any one of these courses to the 36 hours in the major. Hours from these courses may be applicable to free electives. Department Exam can be used to fulfill this requirement. CLEP or AP exams cannot fulfill this requirement.
- All students must complete 36 hours in the major regardless of whether they are placed above the initial courses in the language sequence.
Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.
- Must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of 'C' or by passing the departmental proficiency exam:
SPAN 1311 Beginning Spanish I
SPAN 1312 Beginning Spanish II
SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 2314 Intermediate Grammar and Composition
SPAN 3300 Advanced Grammar & Composition I
SPAN 3301 Advanced Grammar & Composition II
OR
SPAN 2313 Spanish for Heritage Language Learners II
SPAN 2315 Spanish for Heritage Language Learners III
SPAN 3313 Advanced Grammar and Composition for Heritage Language Learners I
SPAN 3315 Advanced Grammar and Composition for Heritage Language Learners II
Core Curriculum - 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
Major Requirements - 48 hours
Required Courses - 36 hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Except for core curriculum courses, such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
Language - 12 hours
Heritage Language
| SPAN 2313 | Spanish for Heritage Language Learners II | 3 |
| SPAN 2315 | Spanish for Heritage Language Learners III | 3 |
| SPAN 3313 | Advanced Grammar & Composition Heritage Language Learners I | 3 |
| SPAN 3315 | Advanced Grammar & Composition Heritage Language Learners II | 3 |
OR
Second Language
| SPAN 2312 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| SPAN 2314 | Intermediate Grammar and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3300 | Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition I | 3 |
| SPAN 3301 | Advanced Spanish Grammar & Composition II | 3 |
Literature and Creative Writing - 3 hours
Literature and Creative Writing Electives - 9 hours
Choose from:
| SPAN 3317 | Introduction to Spanish Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3318 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3308 | Introduction to Latina/o Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3329 | Creative Writing in Spanish | 3 |
Linguistics - 6 hours
Linguistics Electives - 3 hours
Choose from:
Seminar - 3 hours
Prescribed Electives - 12 hours
Choose 12 hours (at least 6 advanced) with one course in three different areas.
Literature and Culture
Linguistics
Creative Writing
Translation and Interpreting and Medical Spanish
Translation and Interpreting - Choose from
Medical Spanish - Choose from
| SPAN 2317 | Spanish for Healthcare Professionals I | 3 |
| SPAN 2318 | Spanish for Healthcare Professionals II | 3 |
| SPAN 3348 | Advanced Spanish for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| SPAN 4348 | Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Latino Health | 3 |
Teacher Certification - 30 hours
Area of Certification: Spanish (EC-12)
| EDFR 2301 | Intercultural Context of Schooling | 3 |
| EDUC 3301 | The Teaching Profession and Student Learning in Contemporary Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 3302 | Knowledge of Student Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 3304 | Instructional Planning and Assessment in Culturally Sustaining Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 3306 | Evidence-Based Teaching in Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 4306 | Implementing and Assessing Effective Secondary Content Pedagogy | 3 |
| READ 4305 | Disciplinary Literacy in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 4611 | Student Teaching Secondary or All-Level | 6 |
| SPAN 4370 | Teaching Spanish as a Heritage Language | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 120
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.