Teaching English Learners in PreK-12 Education Online Certificate
The Teaching PreK-12 English Learners Certificate provides practicing teachers with proof that they have completed coursework in building the skills and knowledge to work with students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The online course series, which meets Virginia core requirements for an add-on ESL endorsement, is meant for preK-12 teachers, who are already licensed in another preK-12 area.
The graduate certificate program helps practicing PreK-12 teachers gain the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality instruction for English learners across content areas and grade levels. The curriculum is designed to provide candidates with a deeper understanding of second language acquisition and to help candidates develop skills in tailoring instruction and assessment practices to English learners’ unique needs.
Teachers who do not need the entire certificate program for Virginia licensure may also opt to take one or more courses within the ESL course series without applying for the certificate.
Program Details
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Individuals can work with an advisor to pursue an add-on endorsement while completing the certificate.
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The certificate program is intended for students who already hold a teaching license in Virginia or another state. Any student who wishes to apply for the certificate must submit an online application, two letters of recommendation, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and a current statement of professional goals (1-2 pages). Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, the certificate and for contacting their advisor for planning.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application.
The Graduate Record Exam is not required for the Teaching English Learners in PreK-12 certificate.
For applicants applying for Fall 2018 admission:
Students who have already begun the Teaching PreK-12 English Learners course series may apply to the certificate program if they have at least 2 courses (6 credits) left. Students will be allowed to transfer in up to 12 credits previously taken at the Curry School of Education and Human Development to the certificate program. Students will need to complete a Policy Exception form and receive approval from their advisor to transfer in more than 6 credits.
Students may complete the final 6 credits of the certificate program in fall 2018 but the certificate cannot be awarded before spring 2019. Students completing their final 6 credits in fall 2018 will need to apply for affiliated status and pay the affiliated status fee ($206) for the spring 2019 semester.
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Students may be eligible to transfer up to 6 credits from other academic institutions (or other programs at UVA prior to admission) if the following criteria are met: courses are listed on the transcript from the transferring institution as “graduate level”; the student earns a final grade of B- or higher; the courses are deemed aligned with the rigor and content of the student’s program of study; and the course credits are no older than 5 years at the time of matriculation.
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ALL application materials, transcripts, and recommendations, must be received by the deadlines below in order for an application to be considered complete. You may begin, or return to, your application here.
- Fall entry: April 15th, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis until July 1st
- Spring entry: November 1st
- Summer entry: March 15th, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis until May 1st
Decisions will be released 6 weeks after the deadline. Applicants will be assigned an advisor after they accept an offer of admission.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be read and may be cancelled if left incomplete. Materials should be tracked using the checklist in the application.
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Discounted tuition is available for Virginia preK-12 educators. To receive the discount, educators must fill out a form. Districts enrolling cohorts of teachers may also receive a group discount.
Tuition rates can be found on this page.
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Students may begin taking courses in either the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Enrollment can be part-time or full-time. Part-time students typically take one or two courses per semester. Courses must be completed within five years of being admitted to the program.
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The VDOE has recently changed ESL endorsement requirements. Course offerings are currently under revision to align with these changes. Students with individual questions may talk to an advisor (April Salerno).
All courses online and on a set schedule each Term as follows:
Course
Course Offerings Fall
Course Offerings Spring
Course Offerings Summer
English Linguistics
EDIS 5423X
X
Cross-Cultural Education for Diverse Learners
EDIS 5422X
X
X
Second Language Acquisition
EDIS 5424
X Foundations of Reading Instruction
EDIS 7700X
X
X
Teaching Reading & Writing for ELLs
EDIS 5270X
X
X
ESL Methods PreK-12
EDIS 5428X
X
ESL Assessment & Curriculum Design
EDIS 5470X
X
An ESL elective course (to be selected with advisor approval), which might include:
Differentiating Instruction EDIS 5080
X
X
X
The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom EDIS 5014
X (spring)
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Ready to add the endorsement to your teaching license? Review next steps here.
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 http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.