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English as a Second Language: Certificate

This fully online certificate develops preK-12 teachers who are confident and well-versed in quality English as a second language (ESL) instructional practices. Opportunity to pursue an add-on ESL endorsement to your existing teaching license.

At a Glance

Program Results

Certificate

Teaching English Language Learners in preK-12

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

1-6 semesters

Application Deadline

Spring entry: December 1

Summer entry:

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 1 (final deadline)

Fall entry:

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 15 (final deadline)

Credits

18

About This Program

As U.S. classrooms become increasingly diverse, the need for teachers of second language learners continues to grow. Teachers of English learners have exciting opportunities to work with students from a wide array of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The online graduate certificate in teaching English learners in prek-12 education is designed to be flexible, so you can select exactly what you need. Focus solely on classroom practice, study linguistics to help prepare for testing, or mix-and-match to meet your individual goals. All courses are offered online, and discounted tuition is available for preK-12 educators in Virginia.

Add-on Endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL):

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) sets the requirements for licensure with an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) preK-12. Teachers with a current Virginia teaching license who wish to add an ESL endorsement may take courses in this series to prepare them to add the endorsement, whether through the full course series or the ESL Praxis exam. Teachers should consult with a UVA advisor to plan the best pathway for them. 

Important Notes:

  • This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. If you are seeking an initial teaching license, visit our Become a Teacher page.
  • For students who may desire to pursue a master's degree, courses that are taken as part of this certificate can also contribute to one of two degrees offered by the School of Education and Human Development: the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction or the M.T. in English as a Second Language.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Students may enter the program during the summer, fall, or spring semesters. 

Prerequisites 

An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) with an overall GPA of at least 3.00.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below: 

All applicants must submit the following as part of the online application: 

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A statement of professional goals (1-2 pages)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts from prior post-secondary degree(s). Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. 

Transferring Credits

It is possible to apply up to three (3) graduate credits toward a certificate, with advisor approval, and provided the coursework is no older than five years at the completion of the course of study. This includes any courses that are part of this program if completed prior to admission to the program. All other University of Virginia coursework must be earned after admission to the certificate program. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, the Instructional Design & Technology certificate and reaching out to the contact listed on this page for planning purposes.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Graduate Admission

Coursework

Students seeking the graduate certificate will work with an advisor to select 6 of the 8 courses; students with individual questions may reach out to the contact listed further down on this page.

All course are offered online and on a set schedule, as follows:

CourseFallSpringSummer

English Linguistics

EDIS 5423

 XX

Cross-Cultural Education for Diverse Learners

EDIS 5422

XXX

Second Language Acquisition

EDIS 5424

X X

Reading and Writing Foundations for Diverse Learners

EDIS 6710

XXX

Teaching Reading and Writing to ELs

EDIS 5270

 XX

ESL Methods PreK-12

EDIS 5428

XX 

ESL Assessment & Curriculum Design

EDIS 5470

XX 

 

As well as an ESL elective course (to be selected with advisor approval), which might include:

Differentiating Instruction, EDIS 5080 (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom, EDIS 5014 (Spring)

Teaching English Learners in PreK-12 Education Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the teaching English learners in preK-12 education graduate certificate can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Curriculum

Professional Learning Opportunities

Courses that are part of the certificate in teaching English learners in preK-12 education are available to be taken as a course series. Prospective students may also request permission to enroll in individual courses as a non-degree student seeking open enrollment.

Taking these courses as an online course series:

  • Educators and practitioners will be equipped with the tools needed to design effective instruction by integrating technology into the learning experience. Students will build on their previous experience and education to expand their knowledge and skills.
  • Courses can be used for professional development and licensure recertification points.
  • Students can transfer one course from this course series into the Instructional Design and Technology Certificate. 

Non-degree student seeking open-enrollment:

  • Not sure about committing to a graduate degree or certificate program? Sample our courses by enrolling as a non-degree seeking student. Most of our courses are fully online. Students should fill out the non-degree student application at least a week prior to the start of the desired term. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Visit our Professional Learning page to learn more about course series or non-degree student admission.

Course Series and Non-degree Student Application

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Non-Degree Application

Contact US

Disclosures

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at https://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.