The World Languages Program is available for students as a major or a minor. A World Language major is for students who plan to teach a world language to children from birth to age 21, in PK through 12th grade. The World Language minor will result in the additional certification at the same level as your initial license.
Students who satisfactorily complete the undergraduate program (as a major or minor) will be granted a license in one of the following languages: American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Japanese, or Arabic.
Students seeking a World Language certification (major or minor) may also add the following licenses:
- Bilingual (only available for Spanish, World Language Licenses; a bilingual license will allow you to teach Spanish for Heritage Speakers only)
- English as a Second Language
Requirements
General Education Requirements (GERs)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some of the requirements of your program may fulfill the campus GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
Program Admission Requirements
Program Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking (GER-HU, fulfilled prior to program admission) | 3 |
| CURRINS 300 | Introduction to Teaching: Colloquium and Fieldwork (fulfilled prior to program admission) | 3 |
| Minority Group Relations (Act 31) | 3 | |
| A component of the Human Relations Requirement for Teacher Certification is met by completing one of the following courses or a one-day seminar. | ||
| American Indian Peoples of Wisconsin (GER-CD) | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: (GER-CD) | ||
| Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past (GER-CD) | ||
| North American Indian History Since 1887 (GER-CD) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Language Content Area
Complete total credits in chosen language, plus any prerequisites. Initial language courses (levels 1-4) may be satisfied through language proficiency examinations. See academic advisor for details.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| American Sign Language | ||
| EXCEDUC 301 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 302 | American Sign Language II | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 303 | American Sign Language III | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 304 | American Sign Language IV | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 305 | American Sign Language V | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 306 | American Sign Language VI | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 325 | Skills Development: ASL V | 1 |
| EXCEDUC 326 | Skills Development: ASL VI | 1 |
| EXCEDUC 327 | Skills Development: Classifiers | 1 |
| EXCEDUC 330 | Deaf History | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 346 | Skill Development: Semantics | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 352 | American Deaf Culture | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 358 | ASL/English Linguistics I | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 363 | ASL/English Linguistics II | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 500 | Fingerspelling & Numbers | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 510 | Classifiers | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 520 | ASL Literature | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | ||
| Reading, Writing, and Linguistic Content | ||
| CHINESE 301 | Fifth Semester Chinese | 4 |
| CHINESE 302 | Sixth Semester Chinese | 4 |
| CHINESE 401 | Seventh Semester Chinese | 3 |
| CHINESE 402 | Eighth Semester Chinese | 3 |
| Literature Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Introduction to Chinese Poetry | ||
| Literature and Society: (Chinese Literature Before the 20th Century) | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (Modern Chinese Literature) | ||
| Cultural Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Chinese Art and Architecture | ||
ARTHIST 480 | ||
| Topics in Chinese Art: | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Society and Culture | ||
| A Taste of China: Learning Chinese Culture and Society through Cuisine | ||
| Chinese Calligraphy | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Societies through Film | ||
| Chinese Language and Culture | ||
| Popular Culture, Entertainment, and China's Modernization | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Business Chinese | ||
| First-Year Seminar: (Growth and Development in China, Japan, and Korea) | ||
| World Cinema: (Hong Kong Cinema) | ||
| East Asian Civilization to 1600 | ||
| Asian Americans in Historical Perspective | ||
| Premodern China | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Revolution in China | ||
| Introduction to Asian Religions | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy | ||
| Cultural Elective (choose one): | 1 | |
| Topics in Chinese Art: | ||
| Advanced Independent Study | ||
| Linguistics, Literature, or Cultural Elective | ||
| AMLLC 699 | Advanced Independent Study | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| French | ||
| Reading and Writing Development | ||
| FRENCH 325 | Intensive Grammar and Usage | 3 |
| Reading and Writing Development Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level | ||
| Advanced Written Expression | ||
| Seminar in French Language: | ||
| Linguistics | ||
| FRENCH 392 | Phonetics | 3 |
| Literature | ||
| FRENCH 332 | Reading French Texts | 3 |
| Literature Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Literature of the French-Speaking World in Translation: | ||
| Seminar in Literature of the Francophone World: | ||
| Seminar in French Literature: | ||
| Seminar on Masterpieces of Literature Written in French: | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary French Literature: | ||
| Culture | ||
| FRENCH 324 | Contemporary French Language and Culture | 3 |
| Culture Electives (choose three): | 8-9 | |
| French Immersion: Advanced | ||
| Royalty, Reason, and Revolution: The Golden Age of French Culture | ||
| Reaction and Innovation: French Culture of the 19th and 20th Centuries | ||
| Seminar in French and Francophone Cultures: | ||
| Institutions and Culture of Contemporary France | ||
| Cinema of the French-Speaking World: | ||
| Castles, Cathedrals, and Common People: The Foundations of French Culture | ||
| Total Credits | 29-30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| German | ||
| Reading and Writing Development | ||
| GERMAN 204 | Fourth-Semester German | 3 |
| GERMAN 332 | Presentation and Composition | 3 |
| Linguistics | ||
| GERMAN 331 | German Grammar in Practice | 3 |
| Linguistics Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| German Phonetics | ||
| Seminar on the History and Structure of German | ||
| Literature | ||
| GERMAN 333 | Texts and Contexts | 3 |
| Literature Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Reading Older German Handwriting | ||
| Seminar on Themes and Motifs in German Literature: | ||
| Culture | ||
| GERMAN 334 | Introduction to German Studies | 3 |
| Culture Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| German Painting, 1800-1933 | ||
| Dada and Surrealist Art | ||
| Europe: East and West | ||
| German Life and Civilization: Part I | ||
| German Life and Civilization: Part II: | ||
| Views of Germany: | ||
| The First World War | ||
| The Second World War in Europe | ||
| Germany: Hitler and the Nazi Dictatorship | ||
| The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism & the Fate of Jewish People in Europe, 1933-45 | ||
| Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images | ||
| Song Literature I: Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain | ||
| German Politics and the New Europe | ||
| Linguistics, Literature, or Culture 300+ Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| German Painting, 1800-1933 | ||
| Dada and Surrealist Art | ||
| Europe: East and West | ||
| German Phonetics | ||
| Seminar on the History and Structure of German | ||
| Reading Older German Handwriting | ||
| Seminar on Themes and Motifs in German Literature: | ||
| Germany: Hitler and the Nazi Dictatorship | ||
| The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism & the Fate of Jewish People in Europe, 1933-45 | ||
| Song Literature I: Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain | ||
| German Politics and the New Europe | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Italian | ||
| Reading and Writing Development | ||
| ITALIAN 103 | First-Semester Italian | 4 |
| ITALIAN 104 | Second-Semester Italian | 4 |
| ITALIAN 203 | Third-Semester Italian | 3 |
| ITALIAN 204 | Fourth-Semester Italian | 3 |
| Linguistics, Reading, and Writing Development Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Advanced Conversation and Composition: Contemporary Italian Usage | ||
| Contemporary Italian Language and Culture | ||
| Literature | ||
| ITALIAN 457 | Topics in Italian Literature and Culture in Translation: | 3 |
| Literature Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Italian Literature | ||
| Introduction to Italian Literature and Film | ||
| Culture | ||
| ITALIAN 258 | Contemporary Italian Society and Culture | 3 |
| Linguistics, Literature, or Culture Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Views of Italy: (Multicultural Italy Today or Italians and the Mafia) | ||
| Topics in Italian American Studies: | ||
| Introduction to Italian Food Studies: A Cultural History | ||
| Linguistics, Literature, or Culture Elective (choose two): | 6 | |
| High Renaissance Art in Italy | ||
| Introduction to Roman Life and Literature | ||
| The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire | ||
| The Graeco-Roman World: | ||
| Linguistics, Literature, or Culture 300+ Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| High Renaissance Art in Italy | ||
| The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire | ||
| The Graeco-Roman World: | ||
| Introduction to Italian Literature | ||
| Introduction to Italian Literature and Film | ||
| Dante's Divine Comedy in Translation | ||
| Italian Immigration: A Sociocultural History | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
or ITALIAN 497 | Study Abroad: | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | ||
| Reading and Writing Development | ||
| LATIN 103 | First Semester Latin | 4 |
| LATIN 104 | Second Semester Latin | 4 |
| LATIN 205 | Third Semester Latin | 4 |
| Literature | ||
| CLASSIC 202 | Introduction to Roman Life and Literature | 3 |
| LATIN 306 | Readings in Latin Literature: | 3 |
| LATIN 501 | Readings in Latin Prose: | 3 |
| LATIN 502 | Readings in Latin Poetry: | 3 |
| LATIN 699 | Directed Reading | 3 |
| Literature and Culture Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| The Celtic World | ||
| Greek Art and Archaeology | ||
| Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East | ||
| Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | ||
| Roman Art and Archaeology | ||
| Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece | ||
| Greek Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Greek Life and Literature | ||
| The Life and Literature of Classical Athens: Herodotus and Dramatists | ||
| The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire | ||
| Readings in Ancient Greek Literature: | ||
| Readings in Classical Greek Prose: | ||
| Readings in Ancient Greek Poetry: | ||
| A History of Greek Civilization: The Greek City-State | ||
| A History of Greek Civilization: The Age of Alexander the Great | ||
| A History of Rome: The Republic | ||
| A History of Rome: The Empire | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | ||
| Reading and Writing Development | ||
| SPANISH 308 | Advanced Writing and Reading | 3 |
| Reading and Writing Development Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Advanced Speaking and Listening | ||
| Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers | ||
| Linguistics Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (preferred course) | ||
| Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Spanish Syntax and Morphology | ||
| Hispanic Sociolinguistics | ||
| Seminar in Hispanic Linguistics: | ||
| Literature Elective (choose two): | 6 | |
| Introduction to Literary Analysis (preferred) | ||
| Survey of Hispanic Literature and Civilization | ||
| Survey of Spanish-American Literature and Civilization | ||
| Survey of Spanish Literature and Civilization | ||
| Seminar in Spanish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Spanish-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Hispanic Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Spanish Golden Age Literature: | ||
| Seminar on Cervantes: | ||
| Seminar in Modern Spanish Literature and Civilization: | ||
| Literature, Linguistics, or Culture Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | ||
| Introduction to Literary Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Latino Literature in English | ||
| Topics in Latino Literature in English: | ||
| Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | ||
| Spanish Syntax and Morphology | ||
| Hispanic Sociolinguistics | ||
| Survey of Hispanic Literature and Civilization | ||
| Survey of Spanish-American Literature and Civilization | ||
| Survey of Spanish Literature and Civilization | ||
| Seminar in Spanish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Spanish-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Hispanic Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Hispanic Linguistics: | ||
| Seminar in Spanish Golden Age Literature: | ||
| Seminar on Cervantes: | ||
| Seminar in Modern Spanish Literature and Civilization: | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ||
| Linguistic, Reading, and Writing Development | ||
| JAPAN 301 | Fifth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| JAPAN 302 | Sixth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| JAPAN 312 | Japanese Conversation II | 3 |
| JAPAN 370 | Fun Kanji | 2 |
| JAPAN 401 | Seventh Semester Japanese | 4 |
| JAPAN 402 | Eighth Semester Japanese | 4 |
| Literature Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Reading Japanese Short Stories | ||
| Extensive Reading in Japanese | ||
| Japanese News Media | ||
| Japanese Performance Traditions: Readings | ||
| Seminar in Japanese Literature and Culture: | ||
| Translating Japanese Media | ||
| Culture Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Japanese Popular Culture | ||
| Japanese Film: Themes and Methods | ||
| Japanese Performance Traditions | ||
| Seminar in Japanese Literature and Culture: | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ||
| Linguistic, Reading, and Writing Development | ||
| ARABIC 201 | Third Semester Arabic | 5 |
| ARABIC 202 | Fourth Semester Arabic | 5 |
| ARABIC 301 | Fifth Semester Arabic | 3 |
| ARABIC 302 | Sixth Semester Arabic | 3 |
| Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural Electives (choose two): | 6 | |
| Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East | ||
| Arabs and Islam in America | ||
| Islam: Religion and Culture | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Advanced Independent Study | ||
| Honors Seminar in the Humanities: (Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural topic) | ||
| University Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences: (Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural topic) | ||
| Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural Elective (choose one): | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilization: The Formative Period, ca. 500-1258 | ||
| The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries | ||
| Topics in Middle Eastern History: (Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural topic) | ||
| Honors Seminar in the Humanities: (Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural topic) | ||
| University Honors Seminar in the Social Sciences: (Linguistic, Literature, or Cultural topic) | ||
| Total Credits | 25 | |
The following World Language Education programs are being inactivated:
- Hebrew
- Polish
- Russian
Professional Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Learning and Development (preferred) | ||
| Cognition: Learning, Problem Solving and Thinking | ||
| Human Development: Theory and Research | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| The Exceptional Individual | ||
| Inclusion for Secondary Educators: Humanities, the Arts, Foreign Language (preferred) | ||
| Survey of Exceptional Education | ||
| ED POL 375 | Cultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| CURRINS 350 | Field Seminar in Language Education | 1 |
| CURRINS 437 | Pre-Student Teaching in World Language Education | 2 |
| CURRINS 542 | History and Politics of Second Language Education | 3 |
| CURRINS 543 | Developing Biliteracy | 3 |
| CURRINS 545 | Reading in the Content Areas: Middle, Junior, and Senior High School | 3 |
| CURRINS 546 | Language, Content, and Comprehensible Input | 3 |
| CURRINS 637 | World Language Methods and Materials | 3 |
| CURRINS 655 | Applied Educational Linguistics | 3 |
| CURRINS 438 | Student Teaching in World Language Education 2 | 6 |
| CURRINS 445 | Seminar in Language Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
A grade of C or better is required for all professional education requirements, including student teaching. Prerequisites may be required.
- 2
Students must complete paperwork in order to be assigned a student teaching placement. To be approved for placement, additional criteria must be met. See Benchmarks for details.
Additional Requirements for Graduation
- Program Portfolio - based on the 10 Wisconsin Teacher Standards.
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 including any transfer coursework that is counted towards certification at UWM, as well as grades earned in student teaching or field experiences.
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum 120 credits.
- Completion of the last year of coursework (30 credits) in residence at UW-Milwaukee.
- Successful completion of a pedagogical knowledge assessment PKA) is required for certification.
English as a Second Language Minor - option
World Language majors wishing to complete an English as a Second Language minor would also need these additional requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CURRINS 350 | Field Seminar in Language Education | 1 |
| CURRINS 443 | Pre-Student Teaching in English as a Second Language Education | 2 |
| CURRINS 444 | Student Teaching in English as a Second Language Education | 3 |
| CURRINS 541 | Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Advance to Major
Program Admission Requirements
Application to the World Languages program requires satisfactory completion of the requirements listed below. For more information about the application process, visit our website.
- GER: OWC-A Completion of Oral-Written Communication part A competency.
- GER: QL-A: Completion of Quantitative Literacy part A competency.
- Completion of CURRINS 300 with a grade of C or better.
- Completion of COMMUN 103 with a grade of C or better.
- A 2.75 minimum GPA in all World Language content courses completed prior to program admission.
- A 2.5 minimum GPA in all UWM and transfer courses at time of admission application.
- A minimum of 48 credits (UWM and transfer credits) at the time of admission application. It is not required to have all content area courses completed at the time of application.
- The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires that all applicants to a professional education preparation program pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to admission.
Benchmarks
Student Teaching
Prior to requesting/being assigned a student teaching placement, students must:
- Take the Department of Public Instruction Mandated Content Exam (language proficiency) - ASL students require SLPI Intermediate Plus. Other languages require a minimum score of Intermediate-High on both the ACTFL OPI and the WPT.
- Complete an Immersion Experience - Required for all prospective language teachers, this requirement must be met by spending a significant amount of time in a community/country where the chosen major language is spoken. Submit documentation of experience to your academic advisor prior to student teaching placement.
- Complete and submit an application. Deadlines for submission are posted by the Office of Clinical Experiences.
To be approved, students must ALSO meet the following criteria:
- Be admitted to the School of Education
- Complete all required coursework. An exception to allow a student to take a course concurrently with student teaching requires approval by the student's faculty advisor.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all undergraduate coursework, including transfer courses.
- Content Knowledge: Minimum score of Intermediate-High on the ACTFL OPI and WPT tests or a minimum score of SLPI Intermediate Plus for ASL students; a or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in languages content courses.
- Removal of all F and/or I (incomplete) grades in courses that count toward graduation or certification.
- TB test results submitted to the Office of Clinical Experiences (may take up to 6 weeks).
- Criminal Background Check submitted to the Office of Clinical Experience.
Undergraduate Advising
Our purpose is to provide collaborative, mentoring relationships which promote educational, career, and professional development. We value a student-centered, holistic, and ethical approach to advising based on strong partnerships with students, faculty and staff, and the larger campus community. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment. We encourage students to be self-reliant through informed decisions and choices based upon dissemination of accurate information. We value our own continuous professional development to enhance the quality of the advising experience.
How to Prepare for an Advising Meeting
- Review your Advisement Report in PAWS.
- Come prepared with questions or topics for discussion.
- Make a list of courses you think you should take.
- Investigate opportunities to prepare for the job you want.
- Keep a record of your academic progress.
- Understand you are ultimately responsible for creating your educational, life, and career plans.
- Maintain honest and open communication with your advisor.
- Take responsibility for choices you make as a student and member of the UW-Milwaukee community.
Scheduling an Appointment
Office of Student Services
Enderis Hall, Room 209
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu
Graduate Advising
If you are a School of Education graduate student, you may schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor by contacting your faculty advisor directly. Faculty contact information can be found in the Directory. Your faculty advisor will be listed in your PAWS account.
Honors in the Department of Teaching and Learning
Departmental Honors are granted to students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester.
College of Community Engagement and Professions Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.