Department: Department of World Languages and Literatures

Spanish: Teacher Certification

EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A SPANISH EDUCATOR WITH A UW-STEVENS POINT DEGREE

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world as well as in the United States. Nearly 14% of the United States has Spanish as their first spoken language and this population is expected to continue to grow. Spanish teachers are in extremely high demand at this time in Wisconsin as well as in other states. We have 100% placement of our Spanish Education majors immediately following certification. Many Spanish-speakers are migrating to the United States and the need for Spanish-speaking teachers and professionals to work with these populations is in high demand.  

For students pursuing teacher certification, a study abroad trip is a requirement. In cooperation with the Office of International Programs, we offer semester long language immersion programs in Oaxaca, Mexico and Valladolid, Spain.

Department of World Languages and Literatures

Explore Department

Why study Spanish Teacher Certification at UW-Stevens Point?

When you pursue a Spanish Teaching degree, you become an educated citizen with skills valuable in business, finance, communications, social services, education, science, technology and government.

 

Scholarships and Awards

The Department of World Languages and Literatures recognizes outstanding students at the annual Humanities and Global Studies Spring Awards Ceremony. In 2026, a total of $42,200 was awarded thanks to our generous donors and endowed scholarships.

 

Spain Semester Abroad

In cooperation with the Office of International Programs, we offer semester long language immersion program in Valladolid, Spain. Valladolid is located in north-central Spain. It is the capitol of the eponymous region. Internships are available in business/finance, engineering, tourism, information technology, media/communications, international relations, the nonprofit sector, Spanish studies and economics.

 
 

Post-graduate Opportunities

Knowledge of a foreign language and language pedagogy can be a vital factor in career success. We are committed to placing our students on a firm career path through study abroad programs, fellowships, internships and other career-enhancing possibilities. Students with high proficiencies in languages, experience studying abroad and expertise in a second field have promising employment opportunities. Some recent graduates have worked for European companies with North American branches, with airlines, and as bilingual customer service representatives and international account auditors.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you plan to teach German or Spanish grades K-12, you must apply to the School of Education (SOE) at UW-Stevens Point and be accepted into the program. 

Prior to applying, you must meet requirements set by SOE which can be found on their website: SOE Professional Education Program Application Requirements. 

Once accepted into the program, there are no other applications requirements required by the Department of World Languages and Literatures. 
 

APPLICATION DEADLINES: Applications for the Professional Education Program are processed two times a year – February 22 and September 22. Applications are due the Friday prior to the deadline if the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday. 

Spanish Teaching Study Abroad Requirement Culture, diversity, and success places students in internships in Mexico and Spain and internships are available in business/finance, engineering, tourism, information technology, media/communications, international relations, the nonprofit sector, Spanish studies and economics.

“I really like to help people. I’ve always felt called to serve others and that is really what teaching is.”
Kylie Newton ’25Spanish Education

GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS

A number of student organizations exist for UW-Stevens Point students to develop their world language skills, including Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and Spanish Club.

More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).

Double Major with a Language

Many students choose to double major to be more marketable to future employers. The total number of hours required for graduation will be the same as for a single major (120 hours minimum) because a double major normally will not prolong studies beyond the customary four years. Essentially, you can double major in any degree in addition to the World Language. Some of the most common combinations are World Language plus International Studies, World Language plus Biology, World Language plus Music, and World Language plus Business. Consult with your adviser for more details.

 

MEET YOUR FACULTY

Profile Photo: Lara Garrido

Lara Garrido

  • Assistant Professor, Spanish & Applied Linguistics
CCC 409
View profile
Profile Photo: Renée Craig-Odders

Renée Craig-Odders

  • Professor of Spanish
  • Basic Second Language Proficiency certificate director
CCC 407
View profile
Profile Photo: Vera Klekovkina

Vera Klekovkina

  • Professor
CCC 488A
View profile

English as a Second Language – Teaching Add-On

Earn your 395/1395 Add-on License

Are you a licensed teacher interested in adding a English as a Second Language Add-on Licensure/Certification (395/1395) to your resume? Then this program is perfect for you. At UW-Stevens Point, we have online, interactive classes that will provide opportunities for you to examine and enrich your personal and professional goals.

Program Benefits  

  • courses are 100% online
  • courses can be completed in one year
  • help your students reach their full potential 
  • understand your students’ unique needs

Why choose the English as a Second Language – Teaching Add-on program at UW-Stevens Point?

This program is intended for currently licensed teachers seeking expertise and specialization in English as a second language education. Students for this program must already have a teacher license/certification in another teaching area as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

 
School of Education

In the News and Social Media

Catch up on the latest news from the School of Ed programs and get an insight from our students in their blogs.

 

German

GAIN EXPERTISE IN CULTURE AND LITERATURE WITH A UW-STEVENS POINT DEGREE IN GERMAN

Designed as a traditional study of German, our major provides students with a balanced knowledge of German language, literature, and civilization.

Students who fluently speak a world language, study abroad and build expertise in a second field develop promising career opportunities. Some develop careers as international marketers, bilingual customer service representatives or international account auditors. World languages students who earn teacher certification have close to a 100 percent job-placement rate.

Department of World Languages and Literatures

Explore Department

Why study German at UW-Stevens Point?

When you pursue a German degree, you become an educated citizen with skills valuable in business, finance, communications, social services, education, science, technology and government.

 

Marburg, Germany Semester Abroad

In cooperation with the Office of International Programs, we offer semester long language immersion program in Marburg, Germany. Marburg is known as an exciting location full of history, well-known for being the site of the oldest protestant university. Our returning students have consistently related positive impressions of their experiences in Germany.

 

Scholarships and Awards

The Department of World Languages and Literatures recognizes outstanding students at the annual Humanities and Global Studies Spring Awards Ceremony. In 2026, a total of $42,200 was awarded thanks to our generous donors and endowed scholarships.

 

Post-graduate Opportunities

Knowledge of a foreign language and language pedagogy can be a vital factor in career success. We are committed to placing our students on a firm career path through study abroad programs, fellowships, internships and other career-enhancing possibilities. Students with high proficiencies in languages, experience studying abroad and expertise in a second field have promising employment opportunities. Some recent graduates have worked for European companies with North American branches, with airlines, and as bilingual customer service representatives and international account auditors.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

We offer a variety of options for those wishing to major in German. Those interested in education may pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Teaching of German. Business, cultural and literary studies constitute excellent companions to a range of majors. A minor in German is also available. 

Designed as a traditional study of German, our major provides students with a balanced knowledge of German language, literature, and civilization. Minimum of 27 credit hours of German courses (beyond the 200-level), including FLNG 250: Introduction to World Languages, GERM 313, GERM 314, GERM 340 – Introduction to German Literature, GERM 345 – Advanced Composition and Conversation, GERM 481 – German Culture, one advanced German literature course beyond GERM 340, and two elective German courses at the 300/ 400 level.

The ESL minor offers students a “background in teaching” English as a Second Language through an introduction to linguistics, an introduction to theories of second language acquisition, and knowledge of how to teach effectively at all age levels. This minor does not include a student teaching requirement, but rather a practicum.

Second Majors or Second Degrees with German

To enhance their education and increase their chances for future employment, many students pursue double majors. There virtually is no limit on subjects you can combine with German: another foreign language, history, political science, a business degree, and international studies. If you combine two subjects within the College of Letters and Science (COLS) for a double major, such as German and History, the total number of hours required for graduation will be the same as for a single major (120 hours minimum).

A double major normally will not prolong studies beyond the customary four years. If you combine a major in German with a major in another college, for example, German with Wildlife Ecology in the College of Natural Resources, or German and Music, which is in the College of Fine Arts, the number of hours required for graduation is also 120 hours. Although there will be some overlap between both degrees, you have to fulfill both sets of degree requirements. This double degree program is likely to prolong your studies by a semester or even a year. Consult with your advisors for more details.

GET INVOLVED

The UW-Stevens Point German Club is active and holds a weekly Stammtisch in which you can hone your language skills in an informal setting.

More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).

MEET YOUR FACULTY

Profile Photo: Thomas Leek

Thomas Leek

  • Associate Professor of German
  • Chair, Department of World Languages and Literatures
CCC 404
View profile
Profile Photo: Tobias Barske

Tobias Barske

  • Assistant Dean, School of Humanities and Global Studies
  • Professor of German Applied Linguistics
​CCC 489A
View profile

Spanish

BUILD EXPERTISE AND OPEN DOORS WITH A UW-STEVENS POINT DEGREE IN SPANISH

Becoming bilingual means seeing the world through more than one lens; a skill that can help you in many areas. Learning Spanish helps speakers of English broaden their vocabulary in their native language. In addition, a recognition and understanding of words of Latin origin is especially helpful in certain professions in science, medicine, law, and many others with specialized vocabulary.

Approximately 350 million people worldwide speak Spanish as a native language. It is the second most spoken language in the world in terms of native speakers, after Mandarin Chinese. Spanish is the third most commonly used language on the Internet. The number of Spanish speakers is growing at a faster rate than that of English speakers. For these reasons and more, consider pursuing a Spanish degree.

Department of World Languages and Literatures

Explore Department

Why study Spanish at UW-Stevens Point?

It is possible to maintain almost daily contact with native Spanish speakers in many cities or even in rural areas. The nation is becoming even more diverse: More than one third of its population belongs to a minority group, and Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment. Learning Spanish helps speakers of English broaden their vocabulary in their native language. In addition, a recognition and understanding of words of Latin origin is especially helpful in certain professions in science, medicine, law, and many others with specialized vocabulary.

 

Scholarships and Awards

The Department of World Languages and Literatures recognizes outstanding students at the annual Humanities and Global Studies Spring Awards Ceremony. In 2026, a total of $42,200 was awarded thanks to our generous donors and endowed scholarships.

 

Spain Semester Abroad

In cooperation with the Office of International Programs, we offer semester long language immersion program in Valladolid, Spain. Valladolid is located in north-central Spain. It is the capitol of the eponymous region. Internships are available in business/finance, engineering, tourism, information technology, media/communications, international relations, the nonprofit sector, Spanish studies and economics.

 
 

WHAT TO EXPECT

The ability to speak Spanish is a valuable skill in today’s job market. The Spanish-speaking population is one of the fasting growing segments in the world, especially in the United States. The Hispanic market is today the most rapidly expanding market in the United States. Hispanic consumers have become a driving force in the largest national markets, including southern and northern California, New York, Chicago, Florida, Texas, and others. Marketing studies show that the majority of Hispanics prefer to make buying decisions in Spanish. Not surprisingly, there are many career fields in the U.S. that need Spanish speakers and the broader skills that come with a Spanish degree.

Students who fluently speak a world language, study abroad and build expertise in a second field develop promising career opportunities. Some develop careers as international marketers, bilingual customer service representatives or international account auditors. World languages students who earn teacher certification have close to a 100 percent job-placement rate.

GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS

A number of student organizations exist for UW-Stevens Point students to develop their world language skills, including Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and Spanish Club.  UW-Stevens Point is host to the Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of American, a progressive and viable humanitarian service organization actively implementing and administering programs in Nicaragua.  The non-profit operates out of Nelson Hall and has many volunteer opportunities available.  

More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).

Double Major with a Language

Many students choose to double major to be more marketable to future employers. The total number of hours required for graduation will be the same as for a single major (120 hours minimum) because a double major normally will not prolong studies beyond the customary four years. Essentially, you can double major in any degree in addition to the World Language. Some of the most common combinations are World Language plus International Studies, World Language plus Biology, World Language plus Music, and World Language plus Business. Consult with your adviser for more details.

 

MEET YOUR FACULTY

Profile Photo: Lara Garrido

Lara Garrido

  • Assistant Professor, Spanish & Applied Linguistics
CCC 409
View profile
Profile Photo: Renée Craig-Odders

Renée Craig-Odders

  • Professor of Spanish
  • Basic Second Language Proficiency certificate director
CCC 407
View profile
Profile Photo: Vera Klekovkina

Vera Klekovkina

  • Professor
CCC 488A
View profile

Language Study Interdisciplinary

The Language Study Interdisciplinary Certificate allows you to learn about the human capability for language from a variety of perspectives. These include language as an integrated system of rules (linguistics), as the result of specific cognitive processes (psychology), as a communicative pathology to be remediated (Communication Sciences and Disorders), and as a practical key into another linguistic world (World Languages). This certificate provides a solid foundation for students wishing to pursue graduate study in language-related fields such as linguistics, rhetoric, psychology, sociology, philosophy, communication, and foreign languages.

The Language Study Interdisciplinary Certificate satisfies the Interdisciplinary Studies GEP requirement. 
Consists of 21 credits (13 credits + WL requirement) 

For more information, see the GEP section of the catalog.

Contact:
James Berry, Associate Professor
Department of English
Language Study Interdisciplinary Certificate Coordinator
james.berry@uwsp.edu