Bachelor of Arts

The Spanish education major at Mercyhurst offer students hands-on experiences as they prepare to be language teachers in K-12 classrooms. With practicum experiences from the freshman year, our Spanish Education majors graduate with strong language skills and deep understanding of best practices in world language education. As the only university in the Erie region to certify Spanish education students, our graduates are sought-after by area school districts. Additionally, 45 states have signed teacher certification reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania, so language education graduates can teach all over the US.

Mission Statement
Our programs support the mission of the University by fostering meaningful language acquisition and cultural study that will enable our students to “exercise leadership in service toward a just world.”

World Languages and Cultures promotes the acquisition of indispensable skills in intercultural communication for our students’ future careers and personal development. Understanding the fundamental importance of language in human relationships and global communication, we focus on rich, student-centered instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills. Courses in culture, literature, and linguistics are a vital complement to language study and support the University core value of global responsibility, which “challenges us to learn how to steward the resources of the Earth wisely and to act in solidarity with its diverse peoples.”

In addition to classroom experience, we offer study abroad experiences, sponsor cultural events on campus, and serve as a language and cultural resource to the greater Erie community. In all of our programs, we work to foster respect for others, an openness to diverse experiences, and productive relationships facilitated through intercultural communication.

Major Requirements
All majors must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and at least a 2.75 GPA in major courses. Spanish Education majors must also meet all the requirements of the Education Department, including their GPA minimums. All majors and those students seeking teaching certification are expected to maintain a portfolio which will be used for assessment at Sophomore and Senior Review (see advisor for portfolio requirements).

Students with previous experience in a language offered by the department (including native and heritage speakers) must consult with the department faculty to be placed into an appropriate level course. We reserve the right to reassign students whose level of experience is not appropriate for the course.

Sophomore Review
During spring semester of the sophomore year, the faculty reviews the student’s academic record, the language portfolio, and recommendations from professors to determine academic progress. At this time, qualified students are formally invited into the major and are informed in writing of the Department’s decision.

Senior Review
Spring semester of the senior year, students will meet with faculty to conduct an exit review. Seniors will also participate in a formal oral proficiency interview in the spring of their senior year, resulting in on official rating from Language Testing International.