Spanish Education

About this Composite Major

The Spanish Education degree involves the completion of three specific components:

• the General Education Core required of all VCSU graduates;
• a mix of required and elective courses in the major, including travel abroad, that helps students reach cultural and language fluency;
• and courses in the Professional Education Sequence which prepare students for both the certification exams required for teacher licensure and for the demands of their future classrooms.

Students work closely with Spanish faculty to determine which General Education courses best fit their interests and future plans, as well as which electives might suit them best term by term. Our program is designed specifically to help students find the right mix of courses for both their present desires and future needs, all with the help of an advisor who thoroughly knows the language and the program.

Travel Abroad

Travel abroad programs give future graduates the chance to experience international cultures, communities, and academic environments firsthand. These opportunities enrich their education and broaden their perspective. At VCSU, learning Spanish is both challenging and rewarding, and our dedicated faculty are committed to helping students make the most of their studies.

Career Opportunities

Obviously, most Spanish Education students aim to teach. However, since Spanish Education majors develop strong critical thinking skills in the process of achieving fluency in the language, the degree can also be used in a variety of occupations involving close work with Spanish-speaking populations, including:

• Journalism
• Law
• Medicine
• Counseling
• Social work
• Human services
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Management positions
• Government
• Translation work 

Get Involved in your Major

Spanish Club — A lively group of majors, minors, and aficionados, Club Espanol brings Spanish-language experiences to campus as well as hitting the road to find them.

The Forge — an NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) REALM First Class award-winning campus literary, academic, and arts journal, hosted by the Language and Literature Department and staffed by student editors in ENGL 213: Literary Publications, publishes and offers awards for original student work on an annual basis.

 VCSU Spanish Day — Spanish Day at VCSU offers an exciting, immersive experience where high school students explore the language and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries through interactive activities with VCSU Spanish majors and Spanish Club members.

J. Gregory Brister, PhD, greg.brister@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7317

Faculty Contact

Luis Betancur, luis.betancur@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7791

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/, (701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems 1
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology 1
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Digital Literacy
Select one of the following:
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems 1
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology 1
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
ANTH 111	Introduction to Anthropology
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
ART 182	Art With a Smartphone
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹

CIS 170 and CSCI 289 may be used to satisfy both the Computer Science and Literacy and the Digital Literacy requirement for Gen Ed.

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I	3
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II	3
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I	3
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II	3
SPAN 215	Spanish Conversation	3
SPAN 220	Introduction to Hispanic Literature & Culture	3
SPAN 251	Spanish Grammar and Composition	3
SPAN 350	Hispanic Culture and Civilization	3
SPAN 391	Global Seminar	2
SPAN 396	Travel to a Spanish Speaking Country	2
SPAN 420	Readings in Hispanic Literature	3
SPAN 451	Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition	3
SPAN 490	Methods of Teaching Spanish	3
SPAN 491	Senior Capstone	2
Total Credits		39

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement  39 Hrs
Total Professional Education Sequence 32-33 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs 

Professional Education Sequence

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Professional Education Sequence
EDUC 240	Educating Exceptional Students	3
EDUC 250	Introduction to Education	3
EDUC 283	Understanding Cultural Diversity in Education	3
EDUC 300	Educational Technology	2
EDUC 351	Secondary Practicum and Classroom Management	1
EDUC 352	Culturally Diverse Practicum	1
or EDUC 464	Practicum in the EL Classroom
EDUC 375	Teaching Reading in the Content Areas	2
EDUC 400	Educational Psychology	2
EDUC 450	Trends in Assessment and Educational Issues	2
EDUC 480	Student Teaching (Secondary)	10
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
Total Credits		32

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	COMM 110 (Gen Ed)	3
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
HPER 100 (Gen Ed)	2	PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3
SPAN 101	3	SPAN 102	3
UNIV 150	1	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
	16		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 250	3	EDUC 240	3
SPAN 201	3	EDUC 283	3
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 213	1
Social Sciences (Gen Ed)	3	Art or Music (Gen Ed)	3
Mathematics (Gen Ed)	3	SPAN 202	3
		SPAN 215	3
	15		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 352	1	EDUC 300	2
PSYC 250	3	EDUC 375	2
SPAN 220	3	SPAN 396	2
SPAN 251	3	SPAN 451	3
SPAN 391	2	Elective	3
Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	Elective	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
EDUC 351	1	EDUC 480	10
EDUC 400	2	SPAN 491	2
EDUC 450	2
SPAN 420	3
SPAN 490	3
Elective	3
Elective	1-3
	15-17		12
Total Credits 120-122

Please note:  This plan is intended for general information only.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

1. Possess strong reading and writing skills in comprehending, interpreting, and producing texts in Spanish
2. Be capable speakers and listeners of Spanish
3. Evidence understanding of Spanish and Hispanic histories and cultures
4. Develop an awareness of how language impacts culture and how culture impacts language