Question
If I get an equivalencia for my US bachelor’s degree, can I get the master’s for secondary education at a Spanish university?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”Depends on what it gets converted to if yes, then yes depending on your grades you would have access to a masters”
”Im currently finishing that master right now. I still have my equivalencia processing. But the university told me that my degree would have to be related to what I wanted to teach. I studied Spanish in the USA, and it’s going to be a degree of humanities on the equivalencia, so I was able to study the master’s with my speciality being an English teacher. The specialties can be English, Spanish, history, biology, geography, tech, and philosophy I believe. I don’t think there’s one that goes with economics but I might be wrong”
”Word of warning. I did this. Degree got equivalent of Grado en Humanidades. The inspector at my school knew the law well and said I also needed 24 university credits in English. So your homologación+masters is not enough. Keep it in mind so you don’t have any surprises. Also got c1-c2 in English”
”The equivalencia will definitely allow you to access the teaching masters, but the issue is whether you would be able to do it in the subject you want to teach. A degree in economics might allow you access to economics, math, or something like that. I’m not completely sure, but you can check this on a university website (each university has different rules on this. There’s no overarching legislation). When it comes to being able to teach, the law (in concertados and private schools) states that you need something like 24 post-secondary credits to allow you to teach a certain subject (can’t remember the exact number but around that). However, these do not have to come before you do the master. So, technically, you can enroll in some training after/during the master’s that give you those credits. The credits DO NOT have to come from your degree necessarily. However, despite the law, most universities will not let you enroll in a subject that is not your area of expertise, even though you technically could. And not having the equivalencia done before the masters complicates things because you don’t know exactly what your degree will be equivalent to until the Ministry of Education reviews it. I’m studying in Comillas because that’s one university that allows you to do a masters in a different subject than your degree. I have a PoliSci degree and I’m doing the History masters. They also don’t require you to have the equivalencia before applying. However, they did make me sign a disclaimer saying that if I end up not meeting all requirements for teaching, it’s my fault because of the flexibility they’re giving me. Also, you can change subjects at any point in your career, or teach multiple ones at the same time, as long as you take a course that gives you the credits you’re missing. If you want to work in public schools, the subject you study in your master doesn’t matter, it all depends on the oposiciones (you can do a masters in teaching maths, do the oposiciones for English, and if you get a position, teach English). The law changed just last year, so that’s how things stand as of now. It can always change in the future. It’s a long explanation, but I hope it’s somewhat clear. If you need any more help message me since I’ve researched this topic to death”
”Speak to the university, it might not be necessary and if it is they will guide you through the process”
In conclusion, according to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, pursuing a Master’s in Secondary Education at a Spanish university with an equivalencia for a US bachelor’s degree is possible, but the specific requirements and limitations may vary depending on the university and the subject being taught. It is important to consult with the university to understand their individual policies and procedures. While the equivalencia is a crucial step, additional requirements such as specific credits or qualifications in certain subjects may be necessary for teaching in certain fields. Flexibility in subject specialization and the ability to acquire missing credits through additional training during or after the master’s program can provide opportunities for career growth and adaptability. Public schools may have different requirements, primarily dependent on the oposiciones. It is essential to stay informed about the current laws and regulations as they can change over time. By seeking guidance from the university and conducting thorough research, individuals can navigate the process effectively and pursue their desired career path in secondary education in Spain.
