Advanced Practices in Second Language Teaching
Certificate program
This graduate-level certificate program gives students an opportunity to complete a coordinated series of courses in the area of second language teaching and learning. The program does not lead to a state teaching certificate or licensure. (Note a university ‘certificate program’ or ‘certificate’ is distinct from state ‘certificate’ or ‘certification’.)
Program description
The University of Minnesota’s Advanced Practices in Second Language Teaching certificate program is designed for teachers of foreign languages and English as a second/foreign language and is offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in partnership with the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) Summer Institute Program.
Courses are offered on the Twin Cities campus typically during the last three weeks in July. The certificate may be completed independently or in conjunction with a master of education (M.Ed) degree in second languages and cultures education at the University of Minnesota.
Although the university certificate does not lead to teaching licensure or state certification, it adds value to a preservice or inservice teacher’s academic program and professional life. Completion of the Advanced Practices in Second Language Teaching certificate indicates successful participation in a set of internationally recognized, high-quality summer institutes for language teaching and provides a vehicle for teachers to receive tangible recognition of preparation in advanced language teaching practices and methodologies.
Program requirements for the certificate
- At least two years of part-time summer study are needed to complete the certificate.
- Coursework must be taken within seven years to be acceptable for use toward the certificate.
- It is possible to apply CARLA summer institute courses taken for credit prior to Summer 2009 to the program; however, the timeline begins with the first course listed on the program, and the certificate must be completed within seven years.
- Non-U of M transfer credits are not accepted (other U of M courses may serve as substitutes and are decided on a case-by-case basis with adviser approval).
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be maintained in all certificate coursework. Up to two certificate courses may be taken pass/fail with adviser approval.
Curriculum
Courses may be taken in any sequence. Students must complete at least 12 credits of the following coursework:
Required courses (6 credits)
- CI 5621 Culture as Core in the Second Language Classroom (2 cr.)
- CI 5622 Second Language Acquisition Basics for Teachers (2 cr.)
- LgTT 5110 Using Technology in Second Language Teaching (2 cr.)
Elective courses (6 credits) – students choose three of the following options:
- CI 5623 Improving Language Learning: Styles- and Strategies-Based Instruction (2 cr.)
- CI 5624 Content-Based Language Instruction and Curriculum Development (2 cr.)
- CI 5625 Developing Assessments for the Second Language Classroom (2 cr.)
- CI 5626 Teaching the Pragmatics of a Second Language (2 cr.)
Non-U of M transfer credits are not accepted (other U of M courses may serve as substitutes and are decided on a case by case basis with adviser approval).
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule. The CARLA website also contains information about the institutes and is updated each January for the upcoming summer schedule.
Upon completion of the university certificate program requirements, students complete and submit the certificate completion form and the CEHD Application for M.Ed. Degree and/or Certificate to their adviser. Students will receive a paper certificate, and verification of certificate completion will appear on the academic transcript.
Admission
This program is available to graduate-level students only. A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission. Coursework taken before completion of the bachelor’s degree cannot be applied to the certificate program. Admission is open to degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students. Academic advisers are assigned upon admission to the program. Admission requirements include the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.80
- Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions where degrees were earned (unofficial copies are acceptable)
- A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79-80 (Internet-based) if the applicant’s primary language is other than English and if s/he has not completed a post-secondary degree within the U.S.
How to apply
Application materials:
- All applicants must submit the following items online:
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, except the University of Minnesota. Transcripts can be uploaded directly into the Apply Yourself online application system. For instructions on how to upload your transcripts into the application system, click here.
- If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. You can use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411).
- A 1-page personal statement discussing your experience teaching languages and the ways this certificate program will contribute to your professional development.
Application instructions:
- LOG IN TO THE ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM TO APPLY TO THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM. Be sure to save your PIN and password so you can access the application system to view your admission status.
- When completing “Application Information” you will be asked what type of program you are applying to—choose “Certificate” from the pull down menu. Next you will be asked for your primary program objective—choose “Advanced Practices in Second Language Teaching” from the pull down menu. You do not need to select a second or third emphasis. You can skip those boxes and continue to complete the rest of the page.
- Continue through the application pages. On the SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL page you will have the opportunity to upload your transcripts and goal statement.
- Be sure to hit SUBMIT after you have completed the application. You will receive a decision notification by email within three weeks of submission of your application.
- CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE ON-LINE APPLICATION PROCESS.
Nonnative English speakers and/or international students
This program is not offered full-time and therefore is not intended for international students needing a visa to study in the U.S.
Registration
Registration for the certificate courses involves two separate steps:
(1) Applicants must first register for each CARLA summer institute online and pay the CARLA registration fee. The cost of each CARLA summer institute for registered students taking the institutes for graduate credit is $150 (compared with a $400 cost for students taking the institute on a non-credit basis). This cost supports institute “extras” including all materials (books and binders), refreshments, and guest presenters and co-instructors.
(2) Degree-seeking students at the U of M register for graduate credit on the first day of the institute via paper registration. Those who need to register for credit earlier (for reasons of financial aid, etc.) should first complete and submit CARLA registration (see step #1 above) and then contact Karin Larson (larso205@umn.edu) for online credit registration permission. Those not already admitted to the U of M will be invited to complete paper registration on the first day of each institute. Credit registration involves tuition costs and other university fees (see below).
Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
Tuition
Tuition varies depending on a student's degree program, student status, and residency. Students seeking the certificate only pay the CEHD departmental master's tuition rate. Students enrolled in Graduate School programs pay Graduate School tuition rates.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents determines tuition rates annually before fall semester. For current tuition rates and reciprocity policies, check the college’s tuition page.
General financial aid advising and information are available from the University’s Office of Student Finance (OSF), 200 Fraser Hall, 106 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1111.
Core faculty
The Advanced Practices in Second Language Teaching certificate program boasts a multidisciplinary faculty from within the University of Minnesota as well as from other states and countries. Because the courses are offered in the summer only, it allows us the opportunity to draw upon the expertise provided by non-U of M faculty in addition to U of M faculty. For information about faculty and instructors, read more about the CARLA Summer Institute Program.
For more information
Martha Bigelow
612-624-7087, email:
mbigelow@umn.edu
Kendall King
612-625-3692, email:
kendall@umn.edu
Diane J. Tedick
612-625-1081, email:
djtedick@umn.edu
Constance L.
Walker
612-625-4828, email:
walke002@umn.edu
Revised August 2009
