Spanish Education (Grades K-12) and TESOL (Grades K-12) Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Spanish advising

Students should consult with an advisor in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages regarding their individual plan of study. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in Spanish need to be aware of special requirements.

Spanish policy of transfer of study abroad credits

The following policy applies to all Spanish credits taken abroad. Students may transfer the following credits per term from study abroad experiences:

Winter term:
4 weeks: 4-5 credits

Summer term:
4 weeks: 4-5 credits
6 weeks: 6-8 credits
8 weeks: 8-10 credits
10 weeks: 8-10 credits

Fall/Spring semester term:
12-16 weeks: 12 credits (Exceptions may be allowed for partner programs.)

In the case of one year study abroad, there is a maximum of 16 credits which students majoring in Spanish can take abroad and apply to the major (nine credits applicable for minors). Credits taken in excess of that can be transferred to UWL as university elective credit.

Global Cultures and Languages study abroad credit policy

The chair of the Department of Global Cultures and Languages or designee(s) approves equivalencies for university study in other universities, domestic and foreign. Generally speaking, each major language offered in the department rules on which courses taken elsewhere are applicable and how they apply.

Students who choose to study abroad are required to take at least one three-credit course in the world language at UWL after returning from the country of study. 

Completion of the Spanish Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the following Wisconsin teaching licenses:

• Spanish, grades K-12 (1365) and
• English as a Second Language, grades K-12 (ESL, 1395).

Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.

Students in all teacher education programs must be admitted to the School of Education in order to complete their program requirements and be eligible for endorsement for the appropriate teaching license(s). Students majoring in Spanish education (grades K-12) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) must meet specific program admission criteria.

Retention and advancement

Beginning language proficiency

All students with Spanish language on their transcripts and/or prior experience in Spanish must take the Universities of Wisconsin Placement exam and are required to enroll at their level of placement. Students with no evidence of prior study of Spanish are required to begin Spanish at SPA 103

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Students earning retroactive credits in Spanish may count up to four credits toward the General Education Program requirement: Mathematical/Logical Systems and Modern Languages (GE Category 2).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Self and Society (GE Category 6).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Minority Cultures or Multiracial Women's Studies (GE Category 3).

Allied course requirements for language education majors (9 credits)

Spanish major content requirements (30 credits)

World language education requirements (30 credits)

Additional TESOL requirements (10-12 credits)

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Also satisfies an SOE core requirement.

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Students may enroll in the "Identities and Perspectives" courses after they have completed nine of the "Communities: Diversity and Social Responsibility" credits required.

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Students may enroll in "Human Conditions in Globalized Societies" courses after they have completed six of the "Identities and Perspectives" credits required.

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Must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching. For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.

Study abroad requirement

1. All students should consult with their advisor in Spanish regarding specific requirements for study abroad;
2. All Spanish education and TESOL majors are required to complete an approved language immersion experience of at least 14 weeks (one semester);
3. Students are required to complete the 12 credit core of courses before studying abroad;
4. Spanish education and TESOL may take up to six credits of the Level IV and V category abroad. Consult with Spanish advisor for applicability. 

Language proficiency for student teaching requirements

Prior to student teaching, teacher candidates are required to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency with an "Intermediate High" rating on the American Council Teaching of Foreign Languages Oral Proficiency test in Spanish (ACTFL-OPIc) and
2. Demonstrate proficiency with an "Intermediate High" rating on the American Council Teaching of Foreign Languages Written Proficiency test in Spanish (ACTFL-WPT internet).

Additional teacher education requirements are listed on the School of Education page.

All teacher education students must complete the general education, School of Education, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.

• General education
• School of Education requirements
• Baccalaureate degree requirements

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.^{1, 2}
5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA^{1, 2} in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

The sample plan below is based on a student beginning their Spanish education major by placing into a SPA course at the 300-level and earning 16 retroactive credits. Additional courses may need to be completed, depending on a student’s SPA placement and number of retroactive credits earned. Students should consult with their advisor regarding their individual plan of study.

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Depending on placement, additional courses may be required to meet the prerequisite for enrollment in a SPA 300-level course.

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Students who place into a Spanish 300-level course and earn a grade of "B" or better will receive 16 retroactive credits.

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Students earning retroactive credits in Spanish may count up to four credits towards the General Education Program requirement: Mathematical/Logical Systems and Modern Languages (GE Category 2). 

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See the SOE admissions website for complete admission and application details. Students will be required to complete a criminal background check at the time of application for admission.

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Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.

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Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to the student teaching semester.

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TSL 460 TESOL Field Experience (3 cr.) is only offered in the Winter term.

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For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.