Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University
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    Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University

    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America
    United States of America, University Park
    University Rank:#82
    Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University

    Pennsylvania State University offers the Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Any Penn State Campus and University Park campuses in United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for world languages (k-12) education and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on June 1, 2027.

    About Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education

    The World Languages Education (WLED) major prepares graduates to teach in all grades from Pre-K through 12. Candidates choose from among the following language specializations: French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Along with studies on campus and in local schools, students in this major typically complete a semester abroad experience to promote proficiency in the language they will teach.

    You Might Like This Program If...

    You aspire to teach another language, and to help open children's eyes about languages in diverse cultural contexts.

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WORLD LANGUAGES (K-12) EDUCATION

    The World Languages Education major helps prepare students for kindergarten through high school teaching positions and for other employment in fields related to their content language areas.

    The following teaching options are available for majors in World Languages Education:

    • Bilingual Education
    • English as a Second Language
    • French
    • German
    • Latin
    • Russian
    • Spanish

    Pennsylvania does not issue a teacher certificate in Bilingual Education; many other states do. Completers of the English as a Second Language (ESL) option may qualify for the Pennsylvania Program Specialist: ESL credential if they hold a Pennsylvania teacher certificate.

    Bilingual Education Teaching Option

    Although Pennsylvania does not issue a teacher certificate in Bilingual Education, other states do. Thus, completion of this option as well as any tests or requirements stipulated by the pertinent state department of education (other than Pennsylvania) should lead to a teacher certificate in Bilingual Education. In addition to the Common Requirements of the World Languages Education major, candidates select one of the language emphases, i.e., French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish, complete the courses associated with that emphasis and also the Common Requirements for all Emphases. Consequently, candidates also become eligible for teacher certification in the language selected as their language emphasis. Further, completers of this B.S. degree and option may also become eligible for the English as a Second Language (ESL) credential by completing six additional credits, i.e., APLNG 410 or APLNG 484, and APLNG 493.

    Candidates are expected to have taken their choice of language coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in FR 201, or GER 201, or LATIN 400, or RUS 204, or SPAN 200. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in the chosen language each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is required, typically during semester six.

    English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching Option

    This option will lead to a baccalaureate degree only in conjunction with one of the other companion World Language Education Teaching options.

    The ESL Teaching option is a joint offering of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education and the Department of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies in the College of the Liberal Arts. Dr. Youb Kim, Assistant Professor of Education and Applied Linguistics, and Joan Kelly Hall, Professor of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, are co-directors of the program.

    This option prepares candidates for advanced work in ESL and for the Pennsylvania teacher credential Program Specialist: English as a Second Language (ESL). However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education only issues the Program Specialist: ESL credential to holders of Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificates. Thus, completers of another World Languages Education Teaching option may first seek the Pennsylvania Instructional certificate in that language and may then add the Program Specialist: ESL credential, subsequently.

    French Teaching Option

    Completion of this option and pertinent tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education lead to the Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certificate in French. Candidates are expected to have taken French coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in FR 201. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in French each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is required, typically during semester six.

    German Teaching Option

    Completion of this option and pertinent tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education lead to the Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certificate in German. Candidates are expected to have taken German coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in GER 201. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in German each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is required, typically during semester six.

    Latin Teaching Option

    Completion of this option and pertinent tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education lead to the Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certificate in Latin. Candidates are expected to have taken Latin coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in LATIN 400. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in Latin each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is highly recommended, typically during semester six.

    Russian Teaching Option

    Completion of this option and pertinent tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education lead to the Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certificate in Russian. Candidates are expected to have taken Russian coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in RUS 204. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in Russian each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is required, typically during semester six.

    Spanish Teaching Option

    Completion of this option and pertinent tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education lead to the Pennsylvania Instructional I teacher certificate in Spanish. Candidates are expected to have taken Spanish coursework beyond the intermediate level to be eligible for enrollment in SPAN 110. In general, students are encouraged to take at least one course in Spanish each semester without interruption. Participation in an approved Education Abroad Study Program is required, typically during semester six.

    Disciplines

    Education

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University

    Entry Requirements

    Penn State requires the submission of specific academic credentials to complete your application. Review the secondary and post-secondary requirements for your country below.

    If you are a first year student applying to Penn State:

    Click Apply to start your Penn State application. Before starting, you can also review the Applying Online Worksheet for more details and helpful hints about the application.

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the Save and Continue button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). As you begin the SRAR process, a new window will open allowing you to complete your SRAR. SRAR will focus on your high school coursework. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. Therefore, have a copy of your secondary school records available as you complete your SRAR. You will need to enter every class and every grade earned for the last three years, as well as those classes in progress.

    After completing your SRAR, you will be directed back to the Penn State application in order to complete the Program of Study portion of the application. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for first-year students.

    After completing this section of the application, you will provide some additional information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If you are a transfer student applying to Penn State:

    All international transfer students will be required to submit official high school transcripts in order to complete the application. International transfer students will not complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) for either their high school or college coursework.

    If you have accepted your offer of admission to Penn State:

    If you completed SRAR and are accepted to Penn State, please provide the following for grade verification:

    • Official transcript from years 9, 10, 11, and 12. If the transcript is issued in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.
    • Official copy of the Tawjihi, accompanied by a separate line-by-line English translation.

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education

    Our graduates teach in public and private schools in Pennsylvania, elsewhere in the U.S., and overseas. Education is a profession, and all teachers are expected to continue studying and developing new skills throughout their careers. In most U.S. states, teacher certification is a multi-stage process, with graduate study beyond a bachelor's degree expected early in a teacher's career. Graduates of this program who work in public schools usually go on to earn a master's degree. Alumni who wish to continue educational studies at the graduate level through Penn State can do so at University Park and through the University's World Campus.

    In addition to resources like the College's Advising and Certification Center and Penn State Career Services, the University hosts large education career fairs in both the fall and spring semesters, which bring recruiters to campus from throughout Pennsylvania and the United States.

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE WORLD LANGUAGES (K-12) EDUCATION PROGRAM

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

    Professional Resources

    • Pennsylvania State Education Association (for students)
    • American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
    • Language Teaching Professional Organizations 

    Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply for Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University

    Step 1: Choose Your Application Method

    Apply through MyPennState

    The first step of the application process is to create a Penn State account, if you do not have one already. MyPennState is where future students can access the online application.

    If you are new to MyPennState, you will need to establish a Penn State User ID and password, which you will access during the MyPennState profile creation process. Once you have your log in information, you can sign in to begin work on your application.

    When creating the profile, please use the name that is on your passport. Because materials are filed alphabetically under the family name on the application, it is important that all correspondence and records consistently use the same name (family and given) and spelling. If this name does not match your academic records, please notify us of the difference. Please note: In the U.S., the family name is usually referred to as the last name, and the given name is referred to as the first name.

    Additionally, Penn State requires a current, valid email address, as that is our primary means of communication with international students. To ensure deliverability, please make Penn State (psu.edu) an eligible sender to the account.

    Applying through the Common App

    Applying to Penn State via the Common App is available to first-year (freshman) international students. If applying through the Common App, Penn State will create a MyPennState profile when the application is submitted and you will receive instructions on how to access your profile. If you intend to apply with the Common App, you do not need create a MyPennState profile prior to submitting your application.

    Step 2: Access the Application and Review Important Dates

    While you can create a MyPennState profile at any time, the application for admission becomes available on the following dates:

    Fall/Summer Admission: August 1

    Spring Admission: June 1

    The application submission dates vary by applicant type and intended program of study. Some programs have specific deadlines or admissions requirements. Please refer to our Dates & Deadlines for more information about application deadlines, as well as our Admissions Requirements to review information about any additional materials required for your intended program of study.

    Step 3: Start Your Penn State Application

    If applying through MyPennState:

    Click Apply Online to start your Penn State application. 

    Your application work can be saved at each step of the process by clicking the "Save and Continue" button at the bottom of the page. This feature will allow you to move back and forth within the application or log off and return to complete your application at a later time.

    After completing your Academic History, you will need to provide your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), unless otherwise directed. You will be directed to enter information about your secondary school coursework. Please have a copy of your secondary school records as you complete SRAR. It is important that this step is a complete and accurate representation of your school record. You will need to enter every grade for every course you have taken in the last three years, as well as your current schedule of classes.

    Students educated in South Korea will not complete SRAR. The document requirements for South Korea can be found by reviewing our International Credential Requirements.

    After this section, you will be directed back to the Penn State application to complete the Program of Study portion. Here, you will indicate your desired starting semester, your intended program of study, and your starting and ending campus. For further details on how to complete this portion based on your applicant type, please see the steps to apply for either first-year students or transfer students.

    After this portion, you will provide some additional application information, an activities resume, and a personal statement. You will be able to paste in this information from other sources, but note that the formatting may not always paste in as intended.

    If applying through the Common App:

    Complete the Common App, which will then direct you to MyPennState to complete SRAR. Applicants using the Common App may feel that they provided their high school record via the Common App, but Penn State requires the completion of SRAR via MyPennState. We strongly encourage you to obtain an official copy of your high school transcript to ensure accurate entry of your coursework completed and grades earned. The SRAR will include all of your high school coursework from your last three years of work and your current year schedule. If your final year grades are available when you enter SRAR, you can enter them at that time.

    Step 4: Submit Your Application

    The application requires a nonrefundable application fee of $75 for international students. Be sure to complete the last step after Summary and Review, which finalizes payment of your fee, and be certain it is successfully submitted. Once the application is submitted, you can verify its completion by accessing your MyPennState profile.

    Step 5: Submit Required Application Materials

    In order to complete your Penn State application, we need the following materials:

    • Application
    • Secondary school record
    • Post-secondary school records (if applicable)
    • First-year applicants only: Official test scores: SAT (code #2660) or ACT (code #3656)

      Writing Component and Subject Tests

      Please note: The writing component of standardized tests (SAT or ACT) is not required. The writing component will not be used as part of our evaluation. If your test scores include the writing component, by all means, have those scores sent to Penn State. Additionally, we do not require SAT Subject Tests.

    • English language proficiency, if your native language is not English

    Please see the admissions requirements for international students to review the details about the required application materials. Some programs require additional items to complete your application. Please review our Admissions Requirements for those details.

    Penn State does not require letters of recommendation, nor are they used in a student’s evaluation (unless required for a specific program).

    Step 6: Check Your Application Status in MyPennState

    You can always check the status of your application in MyPennState. We will communicate with you via MyPennState and through a series of emails regarding the missing items for your application. When everything has arrived, you will see a status in MyPennState confirming the completion of your application.

    Please note: It is your responsibility to check on the status of your application and send us any missing materials.

    Step 7: Receive Your Admission Decision

    Once we have reached a decision regarding your application, we will update your status in MyPennState and provide a printable PDF of your decision letter. Review our Dates & Deadlines to see when you should expect your decision.

    If accepted, you can accept your offer of admission in MyPennState to begin the process of becoming a Penn State student. Visit our Accepted Students section to review the next steps in this process. Once you accept your offer of admission to Penn State, those students completing SRAR will submit their official records for validation purposes as soon as possible.

    Bachelor of World Languages (K-12) Education at Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, University Park

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