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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.

Requirements for a Major in Spanish

Students majoring in Spanish are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits in this subject beyond the 200-level, including SPA 321, SPA 322, one civilization and culture course (from SPA 310, SPA 311, SPA 312 or SPA 313), one Survey of Literature course (either SPA 331 OR SPA 332), SPA 330, one 400-level literature course, and SPA 495 (Capstone). All students are urged to declare the major at the beginning of their sophomore year and to take courses beyond the minimum number, particularly those in civilization and culture and literature. Students should also seriously contemplate taking advantage of the various semester and year-long study abroad opportunities, and they are encouraged to consider a minor that will complement the major such as Latin American studies, business, or another language.

Credits for SPA 101, SPA 102, SPA 150, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, or SPA 204 will not be counted toward the major or minor.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Spanish

To complete the program in four years, work toward the major should begin in a student's second year. The suggested distribution of courses follows.

Year Two

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Year Three

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Year Four

Semester One:

  • One 400-level literature courses
    AND one from the following:
  • SPA 303 - Professional Writing (3 credits)
  • A second culture and civilization course
  • A second survey of literature course
  • A second 400-level literature course

Semester Two:

Note: Majors may also take any of the Spanish for the professions courses as electives at any time. Classes are conducted primarily in Spanish.

Requirements for a Spanish PK-12 Education Major

Students choosing Spanish as a teachable major must complete a total of 36 credits in Spanish beyond the 200-level, including

Oral Proficiency Requirement

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation that teacher candidates achieve the Advanced-Low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish before student teaching. The OPI should be taken right away after returning from a study abroad program. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided each semester.

Study Abroad Requirement

Students with a Spanish PK-12 education major must study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country for a minimum of one semester (12 to 15 credits in Spanish at the 300- or 400-level) in a departmentally approved program. Courses taken during the study abroad semester normally fulfill course requirements for the major, but these need to be determined ahead of time by a Spanish advisor. Students interested in pursuing a teaching degree in Spanish are urged to meet with a Spanish advisor as early as possible in their program.

Students are advised to complete at least SPA 321 and SPA 322 prior to studying abroad to maximize proficiency gains abroad.

Students who cannot meet the study abroad requirement will need to propose an alternative plan approved by a Spanish advisor.

Note: Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300-level or above. Students may need to take up to 16 additional credits (SPA 101, 102, 201 and 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Spanish PK-12 and Education Majors

To complete the program in four years, work toward the major should begin in a student's second year. The suggested distribution of courses follows.

Year Once
First or Second semester

Year Two

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Year Three

Semester One:

Semester Two:

  • Study Abroad* (12-15 credits in Spanish)

OR

AND one of the following:

Year Four

Semester One (Teacher Apprenticeship):

Semester Two (Teacher Internship):

* Students who go abroad for the entire semester will complete 12-15 credits toward the major, which will significantly lighten the course load in other semesters.


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