Students planning to obtain certification for secondary-school teaching in French, German or Spanish must take a minimum of 24 credit hours in French, German or Spanish at the 200, 300 and 400 levels. The following courses are required:

• French 251; 252 or 254; 313 or 314; 328, and at least two 300- or 400-level courses;
• German 251 and 252; 313 or 314; 328 and at least two 300- or 400-level courses;
• Spanish 251, 252, 317, 328 and at least two 300- or 400-level courses.
• Students seeking certification in Japanese are required to take the following courses: Japanese 211, 212, 301, 328; English 224; History 243, or Politics 346; and East Asian Studies 299, or 314, or 401.

In addition to the course requirements, students are required to pass a qualifying examination before they will be admitted to candidacy for certification and a competency examination before being certified. These tests will examine students' linguistic competence, orally and in writing, testing phonetics, conversation, grammar and composition. The exit exam will also check their knowledge of French, German, Japanese, or Spanish literature and culture, including the arts, history and geography. Students and their advisers should consult the education department booklet: Ursinus College Teacher Education Programs.

Language majors and students preparing for certification are required to supplement their work at Ursinus by spending a summer, a semester or an entire year in a foreign country with a program approved by the department. Exceptions to this policy may be made by petition to the department chair.

French majors are required to take at least 36 credit hours in French language, literature, and civilization above the 100 level. French 251, 252 or 254 and at least one 400-level W course are required, as well as a study abroad experience as approved by the department.

A minor concentration in French consists of French 251 and 16 additional credits of French at the 200, 300 or 400 level.

German majors are required to take a minimum of 36 credit hours in German beyond the 100 level. German 251, 252 and at least one 400-level W course are required, as well as a study abroad experience as approved by the department.

A minor concentration in German consists of German 251 and 16 additional credits of German at the 200, 300 or 400 level.

The Japanese language courses are designed to develop linguistic skills and an understanding of Japanese culture. The study of Japanese is recommended for students interested in majoring in East Asian Studies or International Relations. Students may also pursue a student-initiated major that includes the study of Japanese. In language labs, which are required for all classes, students work with computers, authentic video and audio materials, as well as native speakers. Ursinus is one of two institutions in Pennsylvania to offer a teacher certification program in Japanese.

Spanish majors are required to take a minimum of 36 credit hours in Spanish beyond the 100 level, excluding Spanish 332. Spanish 251, 252, and at least one 400-level W course are required, as well as a study abroad experience as approved by the department.

A minor concentration in Spanish consists of Spanish 251 or 252, and 16 additional credits of Spanish at the 200, 300 or 400 level, excluding Spanish 332.

A minor concentration in Latin American studies consists of Spanish 252, 317, 332, and eight additional credits from the following courses: Spanish 200, 203 and 209, 351, 352, Politics 242, 344, 355.