About the Program
The Spanish education (7–12) postbaccalaureate teacher certification program
leads to eligibility for a New York State initial certificate to teach Spanish in grades 7–12. This program is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree in Spanish or a related field from an accredited college or university and intend to complete the coursework required for New York State certification to teach Spanish in secondary or middle schools.
The program provides the background necessary for teachers to implement the New
York State learning standards for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) 7–12. It also meets the standards set by national professional organizations, such as the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
After successfully completing the teacher certification program and passing
required New York State teacher certification exams, students are eligible to apply for New York State certification through the Teacher Certification Office, Caudell Hall 101.
No degree or certificate is awarded by Buffalo State.
It takes approximately three to four semesters to complete certification requirements at Buffalo State College.
Students are responsible for any additional certification requirements, including the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills written test for provisional/initial certification, and child abuse certification.
To student teach, a student must have achieved a minimum GPA of 2.75 in Spanish coursework and overall, and must have earned a minimum grade of C in FLE 405 and FLE 406. Also, the student must complete an ACTFL-Approved Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in order to demonstrate Advanced-Low Proficiency in Spanish. If Advanced-Low Proficiency is not achieved, an additional upper-level Spanish course, chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor, must be successfully
completed.
Financial Assistance: For financial aid purposes, students are considered fifth-year undergraduates, eligible for undergraduate loans.
Admissions Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum
cumulative GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) and a major in Spanish language, literature, and culture (or a related discipline with a minimum of 36 credit hours in Spanish).*
2. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in Spanish coursework and overall.
3. Successful completion of two written essays (one in English, one in Spanish)
administered by the department as part of the interview process.
4. A personal interview with the program coordinator, department chair, or other
designated official.
5. Supplemental application forms for this program may be downloaded from the Graduate School Web site.
*Applicants who do not meet these admission requirements may take courses at
Buffalo State to become eligible to apply to the program.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program
section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Required Spanish Courses (6 credits) *
Select two courses from the following:
SPA 303 Introduction to Spanish Literature
SPA 305 Spanish Phonetics
SPA 306 The Civilization of Spain
SPA 307 Survey of Spanish Literature
SPA 308 Survey of Spanish Literature
SPA 309 The Civilization of Latin America
SPA 310 Survey of Spanish American Literature
SPA 311 Survey of Spanish American Literature
SPA 405 Old Spanish
SPA 415 Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPA 416 Advanced Conversation
SPA 495 Special Project
SPA 496 Seminar I
Professional Education Courses (24 credits)
EDF 303 Educational Psychology
EDF 403 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Secondary Education
EDU 416 Teaching Reading in Secondary Schools
EXE 372 Foundations of Teaching Secondary Students with Disabilities
FLE 200 Field Experience in Foreign Language Education
FLE 316 Teaching Reading in a Foreign Language in Middle School
FLE 405 Methods and Materials for Teaching Foreign Languages in the Secondary Schools
FLE 406 Techniques for Teaching and Evaluating Foreign Languages in Middle and Secondary Schools
Student Teaching Courses (12 credits)
FLE 407 Student Teaching of Foreign Languages in the Middle/Junior High School (6)
FLE 408 Student Teaching of Foreign Languages in the High School (6)
Total Required Credit Hours (42 credits)
*Selected under advisement
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.