This program is offered through UTEP Online.

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

To apply for the Graduate Certificate in K-12 ESL Education, individuals must complete the application process through UTEP's Graduate School. Prospective students submit the following:

• Current Resume
• Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
• A statement of purpose describing the applicant's personal and professional goals related to the focus of the gradate certificate program (minimum 500 words)
• Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.

These admission factors will be reviewed holistically to assess the potential of the applicant. The successful applicant would typically have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher, a current resume that shows basic knowledge and/or experience in education, and a well-written statement that demonstrates commitment to education and to the content area of study.

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