Post-Secondary Programs
Both within the University of Wisconsin system and in private institutions around the state, there are hundreds of degree programs available to pursue language education. See the highlights of a few of these programs below.
Note: This section will focus on degrees and programs connected to language education. There are alternative routes to entering the field, which you can learn more about via the careers page. The focus is on undergraduate programs, but some graduate programs will be highlighted as well. Keep in mind that language degrees and abilities can be paired with non-language-specific degrees.
Click on the images to be taken to the college’s website. From there, you can explore other related degrees that aren’t included below.
*While foreign language is by most accounts an antiquated term, for sake of clarity, degrees that use that term will be listed as such below.
Use the DPI Search tool above to view the directory of all approved teacher preparation programs in the state.
University of Wisconsin System
UW- Madison
Madison [Southeast Wisconsin]
Explore the 40+ languages offered
Institute for Regional and International Studies Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Middle Childhood/Early Adolescent - ESL (stepping stone to bilingual certification)
Early Childhood - ESL (stepping stone to bilingual certification)
Graduate Programs
Secondary World Language Education (in transition from undergrad to graduate)
Secondary ESL (1 course away from bilingual certification!)
UW-Milwaukee
Milwaukee [Southeast Wisconsin]
Language and Culture
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire [West-Central Wisconsin]
Languages
French - Major, Minor, Certificate
Spanish - Major, Minor, Certificate [study abroad required]
German - Major, Minor, Certificate
Japanese - Minor
American Indian Studies - Major, Minor
Latin American and Latinx Studies - Language Major, Culture Major, Minor, Certificate
Language Teaching
*The Barron County campus does not have specific education programming/language beyond introductory Spanish, but it is a great starting point for those looking to earn credit in high school, earn a general Associate of Arts + Sciences degree, or save some money before transferring to another school. Learn More.
UW- Stevens Point
Stevens Point [Central Wisconsin]
Certificates/Minors
Bilingual/Bicultural Education
“You will only be awarded the Certificate if you successfully complete the English as a Second Language Minor with K-12 Teacher Certification.”
Teaching English as a Second Language
Can be added to education majors or completed independently; PK-12
Majors
Grades PK-12; German, French, or Spanish; study abroad required
Pair with a teaching degree
UW-Green Bay
Green Bay [Northeast Wisconsin]
Major, Minor, Teacher Certification
Major, Minor, Teacher Certification
Minor and Teacher Certification
Include main licensing areas
Bilingual and World Language Education
UW- La Crosse
La Crosse [West-Central Wisconsin]
Certificates
French
Russian
Minors
Chinese
French
German
Spanish
Majors
French
German
Spanish
Languages + Education (minors also offered)
List of Education Degrees (ESL and Languages Included)
Hmong and Hmong-American Studies Certificate
Heather Linville Interview
UW- Oshkosh
Oshkosh [Northeast Wisconsin]
Spanish - Major, Minor, Certificate
Japanese - Major, Minor, Certificate
German - Major, Minor, Certificate
French - Major, Minor, Certificate, European Studies Minor
American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Certificate
Special and Early Childhood Education Programs
Minors
Bilingual Education — Hmong
Bilingual Education — Spanish
English as a Second Language
French
German
Spanish
Indigenous Studies Certificate
ESL/Bilingual Education License
More on Language Education Degrees
Master’s education program offers ESL and Bilingual emphases
UW- Platteville
Platteville [Southwest Wisconsin]
Lots of programs, five of which are Spanish/bilingual
Emphasis on rural areas, which are quickly becoming very linguistically diverse
Ethnic Studies Minor + Certificate
Languages
UW-Parkside
Kenosha [Southeast Wisconsin]
Education
Early Childhood Education (Major)
Elementary Ed (Major)
Secondary Ed (Major)
Special Ed (Major)
Private Institutions
Beloit College
Beloit [South Wisconsin]
Modern Languages and Literature (majors and minors offered for each; can be combined with teaching degrees)
Chinese
French
Japanese
Russian
Spanish
Minors
Foreign Language (grades 1-12)
Elementary and Middle School (grades 1-8)
Middle and High School (grades 6-12)
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee [Southeast Wisconsin]
Spanish Programs [pair with an education degree]
Education Programs
Elementary and Secondary/Special Education (combine with minors)
At the master’s/PhD level, Cardinal Stritch provides several opportunities, one being ESL and another Language and Literacy
Carroll University
Waukesha [Southeast Wisconsin]
Pairing a Spanish major with a secondary education major prepares you for teaching Spanish.
Elementary Education/Secondary Education w/ ESL Dual License
Can be licensed K-12 ESL and secondary Spanish
Carthage College
Kenosha [Southeast Wisconsin]
Languages (offered as Majors and Minors)
“Some students elect to combine Spanish with programs of supporting disciplines, and in these cases the major and the minor in Spanish will appeal more broadly to those who desire a comprehensive liberal arts education with a multicultural dimension, those who wish to complete a teaching major or minor in Spanish, those who intend to continue their language studies in graduate school, and those interested in government service, careers in international commerce and industry, or in other fields.”
Includes programs leading to standard DPI licensure areas, and it is suggested that you can combine language with these degrees.
Accelerated Certification for Teachers and Master of Education
Concordia University
Mequon [Southeast Wisconsin]
Early Childhood/Elementary Education + ESL Minor
Master’s (Bilingual and ESL tracks)
Edgewood College
Madison [South Central Wisconsin]
Here is an overview pdf.
Elementary Education (automatically has an ESL license too)
Lakeland University
Plymouth [Southeast Wisconsin]
Major
Minor
K-12 Certification
1-8 Certification
6-12 Certification
Lawrence University
Appleton [Northeast Wisconsin]
You can become certified in elementary/secondary and add an additional major/minor in a language/ESL, or specifically pursue their all levels (k-12) degree in World Languages or ESL
World Language program offered for: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish
Study abroad required for every language except Latin
Languages
*Latin American Studies Minor (some language, greater emphasis on culture)
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown [South-Central Wisconsin]
Early Childhood Education (associate’s degree) can be combined with a TESOL minor
Spanish
TESOL
Special Education (can be combined with Spanish/TESOL minors)
Early Childhood (can be combined with TESOL minor)
Elementary Education (can be combined with TESOL minor)
Marian University
Marquette University
Milwaukee [Southeast Wisconsin]
Educational Studies (non-licensure)
Education Major (Grades 1-8 or 6-12)
Concentrations
Spanish
German
French
Latin
Master’s Education Program (includes language options)
Majors — (see concentrations)
Minors — (see concentrations)
Mount Mary University
Milwaukee [Southeast Wisconsin]
*A women’s-only university
Pre-baccalaureate Certificate for Native and Heritage Speakers
Not a bachelor’s degree, but can formalize Spanish skills
Spanish Major w/ Education Concentration
“If you wish to teach Spanish in schools, you must complete requirements for both the Spanish and Education majors. When you complete the program, you will be eligible to teach Spanish from early childhood through adolescence (approximately grades K-12).”
Study abroad required
Can also choose the Spanish concentration of “for professionals” (couple be helpful if working as a translator in schools) or “for native/heritage speakers” (can be combined with education certification)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
For individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree
Bilingual education, Spanish for Professionals or Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers
Middle Childhood Through Early Adolescence
“This certification allows you to work with students from ages 6-13 (typically grades 1 through 8) in all subject areas. Spanish or bilingual Spanish minors possible options.
Early Childhood through Adolescence
Can teach Spanish Prek-12
Early Adolescence through Adolescence
Middle School and HS
Spanish and bilingual Spanish minors possible options
Ripon College
Ripon [Northeast Wisconsin]
Teacher Certification offered in main DPI areas
Can become licensed in Pk-12 Spanish and French education
Viterbo University
La Crosse [West-Central Wisconsin]
Spanish Major
Spanish Minor
Latin American + Latinx Studies Minors
Interpreting Minor
Community Interpreting Certificate
Additional Education Degrees (not language, but can be combined)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (Non-Degree, but Spanish an option)
Community/Technical Colleges
College of Menominee Nation
Green Bay [Northeast Wisconsin]
Degrees - A specific emphasis is put on education of American Indian children
Bachelor’s of Arts in Education
Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood/Middle Childhood Education
Associates in Early Childhood Education
Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton [Northeast Wisconsin]
While not explicitly tied to language, these programs can be combined with language abilities/courses to work with multilingual students. While immersion schools, for example, tend to have pretty strict requirements for lead teachers, for support staff and individuals who want to work in other areas of education, you don’t always need an explicit language education degree.
Assistant Teacher
Child Care Administrator
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Teacher
Family Child Care
Foundations of Teacher Education
Infant and Toddler
Teacher Aide
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College
Hayward [Northern Wisconsin]
Ojibwe Language Specialized Certificate - 19 credit certificate
Student learning focuses primarily on use of the Ojibwe language and the incorporation of Ojibwe culture and traditional activities through the language. Topics that are covered in this certificate program include the importance of language as a means of cultural expression, communication, and revitalization
Native American Studies - Associate’s Degree
Early Childhood Education (emphasis on Ojibwe)
Certificate and associate degree options
Madison College
Madison [South-Central Wisconsin]
Spanish and French Language Proficiency Certificates
Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler-Bilingual (Spanish/English)
“Though not itself a teacher-certification program, the Education Pre-major is for students intending to teach at the K-12 level after completing their bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.”
Madison College has transfer agreements with four-year universities to allow students to easily continue their studies.
See interview with Kevin Foley and Enoch Melgarejo
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee [Southeast Wisconsin]
The West Allis campus offers bilingual “modes” to the following programs:
Early Childhood Education Degree
“You can earn the Child Care Services technical diploma and Preschool certificate on the way to completing this associate degree.”
Northcentral Technical College
Wausau [North-Central Wisconsin]
Sign Language Interpreting In Education (Certificate)
Sign Language Interpreting in Education (Associates)