This program is offered through UTEP Connect.

The ESL Graduate Certificate offers intensive training for teachers to serve K-12 emergent bilingual students (English learners) in ESL classrooms, as well as in other content-area classrooms. It includes 12-credit hours of graduate-level coursework that can be completed fully online or on-campus, often in as little as two semesters. Coursework in this certificate program emphasizes the practical application of current theory, research, and pedagogy in ESL instruction, with particular attention to second language acquisition processes, linguistic diversity, translanguaging pedagogy, and the design and implementation of culturally sustaining ESL curriculum and practices. Certificate completers develop a critical perspective and gain deeper knowledge in ESL theories and pedagogies.

The ESL Graduate Certificate program provides the content knowledge base needed for currently certified elementary, middle school and high school teachers who wish to seek State of Texas English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental Certification.

All 12 course hours in the ESL Graduate Certificate program can be applied towards UTEP’s M.Ed. in Bilingual Education.

Program Requirements

Students complete 4 graduate courses, 12 semester credit hours (SCH). Each of the four required courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “B” or better to satisfy the requirements of the K-12 ESL Graduate Certificate.

Admissions Requirements

• Acceptance into the Graduate School (includes 3.0 GPA* and transcripts)
• Curriculum Vitae
• A Statement of purpose outlining applicant's interest in the Certificate (a 500-word statement describing previous education-related experience, reasons for pursing the ESL Graduate Certificate, and future career plans.

These requirements were established so that the application process would be reasonable for the candidate profiles outlined above. In accordance to Graduate School guidelines for admission procedures, this certificate uses a holistic approach in the admission of applicants. *The Graduate Program Committee will review applications below a 3.0 GPA and may decide to admit an applicant using a holistic approach.

Degree Plan

(All courses require a grade of B or better)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
BED 5331	Found of Bil and Teach Emr Bil	3
BED 5310	Cross Linguistic Pedagogies	3
BED 5339	Acad Language in DL Settings	3
BED 5343	Content Area Intstr for EBs	3
Total Hours		12