Education: Secondary Education, Spanish (BA)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Spanish
Concentration: Secondary Education
Program Code: 3248

About This Major . . .

Spanish majors for secondary licensure study all aspects of the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and its teaching, including linguistics, phonetics and phonology, foreign language teaching methods, and the literatures of Spain and Latin America.

The Center for Teacher Education offers a comprehensive program of study that leads to licensure in Colorado.   Our professors are experienced, knowledgeable, accessible, and dedicated to the improvement of public education.  At Colorado Mesa University, we pride ourselves on the personal touch.  Faculty offer one-on-one guidance for course selection, field placements, student teaching, and employment.  Our mission is to develop Educators as Innovators; we are always looking to improve the quality of learning in our programs and K-12 schools.

As a student, you will gradually accumulate over 200 hours of classroom experience before beginning student teaching.  School districts throughout western Colorado provide opportunities to gain experience with children of various ages and backgrounds in a variety of school settings. A minimum of 75 credit hours of Essential Learning and content area coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.80 before a candidate may apply for admission to the Center for Teacher Education secondary licensure program.  Please see the Teacher Education Admission Packet for further information on admissions criteria.  EDUC 115 and EDUC 215, must be taken before applying to the program.

Important information about this degree:

  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework toward the major content area.
  • All EDUC prefix courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to progress through the program sequence.
  • Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship.  Also, all other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
  • A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all required foundation and major courses, unless otherwise stated.
  • Any combination of FLAS 212, FLAS 301, FLAS 302, and FLAS 303 may also be used to satisfy the requirements of a major in which there exists a foreign language requirement.
  • FLAV 496 and FLAS 422 may be taken more than once as long as the title/content of each course differs.  Permission may be required to take some Topics courses.  Check with the professor.
  • Topics courses may be taken more than one time only if the course has a different topic.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Spanish Outcome 1: Express themselves coherently in written and oral Spanish. (Communication)
    2.
  2. Spanish Outcome 2: Apply knowledge of the structure of the Spanish language, including syntax, phonetics/phonology, and morphology. (Specialized Knowledge)
    3.
  3. Spanish Outcome 3: Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of important literary and artistic movements/works, and cultural aspects in relation to the Spanish-speaking world. (Specialized Knowledge)
    4.
  4. Spanish Outcome 4: Develop a research project focused on second language acquisition or teaching methodologies. (Critical Thinking)
    5.
  5. Spanish Outcome 5: Compare commonalities and differences between Hispanic and other U.S. cultures. (Critical Thinking)
    6.
  6. Spanish Outcome 6: Demonstrate knowledge of linguistic variations that exist in the Spanish-speaking world. (Specialized Knowledge)
    7.
  7. Teacher Education Outcome 1: Demonstrate mastery of major area’s content knowledge and pedagogical strategies through fieldwork with learners in professional settings. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
    8.
  8. Teacher Education Outcome 2: Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
    9.
  9. Teacher Education Outcome 3: Plan and deliver effective instruction to students, based on research-based pedagogical practices. (Communication Literacy/Information Literacy)
    10.
  10. Teacher Education Outcome 4: Collect and analyze student assessment data and use results to inform planning and instruction. (Quantitative Fluency)
    11.
  11. Teacher Education Outcome 5: Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership. (Personal and Social Responsibility)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this program:

  • 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 2
MATH 110Mathematical Investigations-GTMA13
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 233Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 33
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 4
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab4
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “B” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

Must receive a grade of “C” or better, must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

3

Must receive a grade of “B” or better.

4

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity Course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

(6 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.)

Two consecutive classes in the same foreign language6
Total Semester Credit Hours6

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(42 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework in this area.)

  • FLAV 496 and FLAS 422 may be taken more than once as long as the title/content of each course differs.  Permission may be required to take some Topics courses.  Check with the professor.
  • Topics courses may be taken more than one time only if the course has a different topic.
Core Courses
FLAS 300Spanish Composition and Grammar3
FLAS 304Advanced Oral Production and Composition3
FLAS 305Advanced Spanish Grammar and Spanish English Contrasts3
FLAS 311History and Culture of Spain3
FLAS 312History and Culture of Latin America3
FLAS 323Introduction to Hispanic Literature I3
FLAS 324Introduction to Hispanic Literature II3
FLAS 341Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics3
FLAS 441Applied Phonetics and Phonology3
FLAS 498Spanish Senior Practicum3
Hispanic Studies
FLAS 424Advanced Hispanic Literature3
or FLAS 446 Spanish Language Variation
Applied Studies
Select one of the following:3
FLAS 431
Spanish for Medical and Social Services
FLAS 433
Spanish for the Professions
FLAS 434
Introduction to Translation
FLAS 435
Introduction to Interpreting
Total Semester Credit Hours36
Restricted Electives
Select two additional 300- or 400-level FLAS or FLAV courses6
Total Semester Credit Hours6

Secondary Education Requirements

(29 semester hours, All EDUC prefix courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better to progress through the program sequence.)

Education Requirements: 

  • ENGL 111, ENGL 112, PSYC 233, EDUC 115 and EDUC 215 (all with a grade of “B” or better) and formal acceptance to the Teacher Education Program. 
  • Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship. Also, ALL other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
EDUC 115What It Means To Be An Educator (8 field experience hours)1
EDUC 215Teaching as a Profession (12 field experience hours)1
EDUC 342Pedagogy and Assessment: Secondary and K-12 (20 field experience hours)3
EDUC 343Teaching to Diversity (20 field experience hours)3
EDUC 442Integrating Literacy Across the Curriculum: Secondary and K-12 Art (60 field experience hours)3
EDUC 475Classroom Management for K-12 Educators1
EDUC 497Content Methodology Practicum (80 field experience hours)3
EDUC 497EMethods of Teaching Secondary Spanish 12
EDUC 499GTeaching Internship and Colloquia: Secondary (600 field experience hours)12
Praxis II Exam Passed
Total Semester Credit Hours29
1

This course is only offered in the fall semester.  It may be taken with either the 300-level or 400-level EDUC courses but must be taken before the student teaching semester.

All EDUC prefix courses listed above must be completed with a grade of B or better to progress through the program sequence.  Students must PASS the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to commencing the internship.  Also, ALL other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship. 

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 6 semester hours.

Select electives6
Total Semester Credit Hours6
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
Foundation Course 1 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
Foundation Course 2 3
FLAS 300 Spanish Composition and Grammar 3
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - History 3
MATH 110 Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 (or higher) 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
FLAS 304 Advanced Oral Production and Composition 3
FLAS 305 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Spanish English Contrasts 3
PSYC 233 Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
EDUC 115 What It Means To Be An Educator 1
KINA Activity 1
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
FLAS 312 History and Culture of Latin America 3
FLAS 324 Introduction to Hispanic Literature II 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
 Semester Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
EDUC 215 Teaching as a Profession 1
Elective 3
FLAS 311 History and Culture of Spain 3
FLAS 323 Introduction to Hispanic Literature I 3
FLAS 341 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics 3
Hispanic Studies Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
EDUC 342 Pedagogy and Assessment: Secondary and K-12 3
EDUC 343 Teaching to Diversity 3
FLAS 441 Applied Phonetics and Phonology 3
Restricted Electives (2 courses) 6
 Semester Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
EDUC 442 Integrating Literacy Across the Curriculum: Secondary and K-12 Art 3
EDUC 475 Classroom Management for K-12 Educators 1
EDUC 497 Content Methodology Practicum 3
EDUC 497E Methods of Teaching Secondary Spanish 2
FLAS 498 Spanish Senior Practicum 3
Applied Studies Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
EDUC 499G Teaching Internship and Colloquia: Secondary 12
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours120
1

Recommended: FLAS 211

2

Recommended: FLAS 213

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.