Post Baccalaureate Certificate – English as a Second Language
Schools need teachers prepared to educate linguistically diverse students. Enhance your initial licensure program by completing a post-baccalaureate certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL). Students enrolled in our initial licensure graduate programs (Elementary, Secondary or Special Education) may also pursue the ESL post-baccalaureate certificate.
The Post-baccalaureate Certificate in English as a Second Language is a 12-credit post-baccalaureate certificate consisting of four courses. Only one course can be taken at the undergraduate level. Students must receive a bachelor's degree before applying to this program. It is designed to provide specific background, education, and skills to students preparing to be fully licensed teachers in elementary or secondary education to teach English as a second language. Students will learn the central role of language and the theory and practice that informs planning lessons, delivering instruction and administering ESL programs.
Licensure
Completion of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in English as a Second Language will prepare students to take the Praxis Subject Assessment in English to Speakers of Other Languages (#5362), which is required to add the English as a Second Language PK-12 endorsement to a Virginia teaching license once the requirements for an initial teaching license are met. Certificate-seeking students who are currently licensed in the state of Virginia and have passed the Praxis Subject Assessment in English to Speakers of Other Languages can have their employing school division apply to add the ESL endorsement to their existing license through the Virginia Department of Education.
Courses
- EDUC 369* or CRIN 519 – Methods in Teaching ESL PK-12 (3 credits)
- EDUC 370* OR CRIN 520 – Understanding Language: Second Language Acquisition, Theory, and Practice (3 credits)
- EDUC 371* OR CRIN 521 – ESL Curriculum Design: Teaching ELLs in the U.S. (3 credits)
- EDUC 373* or CRIN 523 – Bilingual Education and Dual Language Programs (3 credits)
*Only one course of the four required courses may be taken at the undergraduate level to satisfy the requirements of the post-baccalaureate certificate. Students must have completed a bachelor's degree in order to apply to this program.
Application
Certificate only students should complete the online application for the program - Certificate - ESL Education.
Current School of Education graduate students should complete the online application for the program - Certificate - W&M Current Student Election.
Program Coordinator
[[kbarkoalva,Katherine Barko-Alva, Ph.D.]], Assistant Professor of ESL/Bilingual Education
