Spanish Education

Spanish Education involves learning about Spanish language and culture, while simultaneously developing knowledge and skills related to teaching. Your classes will be a blend of content courses related to the language, as well as teaching courses. 

The Program

Candidates in the Spanish education major are prepared for a language teaching career by getting the best of both worlds: content courses with faculty in the Department of Modern Languages and professional education courses from faculty in the School of Education (SOE). In addition to required courses, Spanish education teacher candidates need to study abroad where the target language is spoken. A degree in Spanish education will prepare teacher candidates to teach Spanish at the 5-12 level.  

Professional Education Courses

Teacher candidates may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the SOE. Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, teacher candidates must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work and education courses; and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test or meet minimum scores on the ACT+.  A minimum grade of "B" is required in the SPAN teaching specialty courses.  Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.

Student Teaching

Student teaching (clinical practice) is the culmination of the teaching program. During In the clinical practice, teacher candidates apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their college courses to real-world classrooms under the supervision of experienced Spanish teachers in middle or high schools. Faculty members from NDSU conduct regular on-site visits to support, encourage, and evaluate teacher candidates so that they gain the confidence and ability to join the teaching profession after graduation.

Student Advisement

Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work closely in program planning and in other ways to advise and assist them.  Students are encouraged to seek advising from both Modern Languages and the School of Education whenever needed. Appointments with advisors can be scheduled through the Navigate online system found on the Student Affairs web page.

Licensure

Upon completing this program, teacher candidates are eligible for certification to teach Spanish in most states. Upon completing this program, teacher candidates are eligible for teacher licensure in certification to teach Spanish in most states. Our program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB).

Career Opportunities

The demand for language teachers continues to be great.  In general, "employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016-2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.  Rising student enrollment should increase demand for high school teachers, but employment growth will vary by region" (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm)

Sample Program Guide

Please note this is a sample program guide and not an official curriculum.  Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Once admitted, students are encouraged to work with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress.