Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL)

PreK–6/5–12 (Licensure)

The Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL) program offers two options to support the preparation of individuals to teach English as a second language (ESL) in US public schools. The first prepares students to become licensed to teach designated English learners in preK–6 ESL classrooms, and the second prepares students to become licensed to teach designated English learners in middle/high school classrooms (5–12).

The program of study includes coursework in linguistics, language acquisition, assessment of oral language and literacy, culturally sustaining pedagogy, curriculum development, and policy issues that influence assessment and instruction of designated English learners in US public schools. Students complete a student-teaching pre-practicum in a public school classroom, as well as a full-time practicum.

Courses & Requirements

PreK–6 Track

Core Coursework (24 cr)

  • SED BI 515 Methods in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) (4 cr)
  • SED BI 535 Literacy Development for Bilingual Students: Instruction and Assessment (4 cr)
  • SED BI 620 Educational Issues in Bilingualism (4 cr)
  • SED ED 502/503 Professional Teaching Seminar I: Analyzing Foundations of Teaching (2 cr)
  • SED LS 565 Applied Linguistics: Language & Linguistics Survey (4 cr)
  • SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 cr)
  • SED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 cr)

Practicum Coursework (8 cr)

  • SED BI 504 Seminar: The Student Teaching Experience—Bilingual (ESL) Language (2 cr)
  • SED TL 570 Student-Teaching Pre-Practicum: ESL PreK–6 (2 cr)
  • SED TL 571 Student-Teaching Practicum: ESL PreK–6 (4 cr)

5–12 Track

Core Coursework (26 cr)

  • SED BI 535 Literacy Development for Bilingual Students: Instruction and Assessment (4 cr)
  • SED BI 620 Educational Issues in Bilingualism (4 cr)
  • SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 cr)
  • SED ED 502/503 Professional Teaching Seminar I: Analyzing Foundations of Teaching (2 cr)
  • SED LS 565 Applied Linguistics: Language & Linguistics Survey (4 cr)
  • SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 cr)
  • SED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 cr)
  • SED TL 508 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), 5–12 (4 cr)

Practicum Coursework (8 cr)

  • SED BI 504 Seminar: The Student Teaching Experience—Bilingual (ESL) Language (2 cr)
  • SED TL 572 Student-Teaching Pre-Practicum: ESL 5–12 (2 cr)
  • SED TL 573 Student-Teaching Practicum: ESL 5–12 (4 cr)