Spanish Language Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for those committed to advancing linguistic and cultural education, this program equips future educators with the expertise needed to teach Spanish language and literature across K–12 and postsecondary settings. It emphasizes pedagogical mastery, cultural fluency, and linguistic proficiency to foster effective language acquisition in diverse learning environments.
- Spanish Linguistics: An in-depth exploration of phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics to understand the structural foundations of the Spanish language.
- Second Language Acquisition Theory: Examination of cognitive and developmental processes involved in learning a language, with application to teaching strategies and curriculum design.
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Instruction focused on integrating cultural contexts and diverse perspectives into language teaching to promote inclusivity and relevance.
- Spanish Literature and Literary Analysis: Study of canonical and contemporary works from Spain and Latin America, emphasizing critical interpretation and thematic understanding.
- Curriculum Development and Assessment: Training in designing standards-aligned language programs, selecting instructional materials, and evaluating student progress through formative and summative methods.
- Classroom Management and Instructional Technology: Practical techniques for creating engaging, organized learning environments, enhanced by digital tools and multimedia resources.
Spanish Language Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Spanish Language Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Spanish Language Teacher Education degrees, including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,773,170 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1124 | $77,010 | $47,090 - $134,960 | 21,170 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Spanish Language Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,133 in Mississippi to $96,855 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,773,170 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Spanish Language Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Spanish Language Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Spanish Language Teacher Education is found at CUNY City College (CCNY) (21 graduates), Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (15 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (15 graduates), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (14 graduates), and CUNY Queens College (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 364 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
21 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
15 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
10 | Mercedita, Puerto Rico | Private | ponce.inter.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Master's
|
8 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| SUNY Old Westbury |
Master's
|
7 | Old Westbury, New York | Public | oldwestbury.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Arecibo, Puerto Rico | Private | arecibo.inter.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
6 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR Cayey) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Cayey, Puerto Rico | Public | cayey.upr.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Odessa College |
Associate's
|
4 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Taylor University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Upland, Indiana | Private | taylor.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Grove City College (GCC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Private | gcc.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Saint Norbert College (SNC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | De Pere, Wisconsin | Private | snc.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| Trinity Christian College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Palos Heights, Illinois | Private | trnty.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Master's
|
2 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Gordon College |
Master's
|
2 | Wenham, Massachusetts | Private | gordon.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| Salem College |
Master's
|
2 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | salem.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Master's
|
2 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | Private | br.inter.edu |
| Spring Hill College (SHC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | shc.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Lewis University |
Master's
|
1 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| Morningside University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Friends University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | friends.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
1 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Roberts Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | roberts.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
1 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
|
1 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | greensburg.pitt.edu |
| North Greenville University (NGU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tigerville, South Carolina | Private | ngu.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Spanish Language Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Spanish Language Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Spanish Language Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,010 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $96,855 compared to $53,133 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,773,170 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Spanish Language Teacher Education programs?
Currently 109 accredited institutions offer Spanish Language Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY City College (CCNY) (21 graduates), Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (15 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (15 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Spanish Language Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 745 in 2010 to a peak of 406 in 2020, before declining slightly to 373 in 2023-24. This represents a 50% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Spanish Language Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,773,170 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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