Dual Language and Immersion Education

Certificate program

This graduate-level certificate program gives students an opportunity to complete a coordinated series of courses in the area of dual language and immersion education. 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’.)

In Minnesota dual language/immersion teachers at the elementary level are required to hold a teaching license in elementary education and at the secondary level a license in the subject matter they teach (e.g., science, social studies, math). The University of Minnesota offers initial teacher licensure programs for individuals not yet licensed and additional teacher licensure programs for those individuals who already hold a MN teaching license and wish to add another.

Program

The University of Minnesota’s Dual Language and Immersion Education certificate program is designed for preK-12 teachers and other professionals to work effectively in the following program models:

"One-way" foreign language immersion programs—designed for native English-speaking students
"Two-way" bilingual immersion programs—designed for native English-speaking students and native speakers of the program's partner language, such as Spanish
Developmental bilingual programs—designed for minority language learners, such as native Spanish speakers
Indigenous language immersion programs—designed for Native American children in indigenous communities with the goal of revitalizing an endangered language and culture

In dual language and immersion programs, the non-English language that students are acquiring is a vehicle to teach school subjects. In order to be considered a dual language or immersion program, the immersion (non-English) language must be used for at least 50% of subject matter instruction during the elementary school years. In a middle/secondary continuation program, at least two year-long content courses must be taught in the immersion (non-English) language.

These programs aim for "additive bilingualism and biliteracy," or the acquisition of another language at no expense to the first, native language. Research shows that well-implemented programs allow students to develop higher levels of language proficiency in the non-English language than in any other type of language program model.

This unique University certificate program is the first in the United States to incorporate a coherent set of courses designed specifically for dual language and immersion teachers and other professionals. Offered by the college’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), the program was designed jointly by the college’s second languages and cultures (SLC) education faculty and representatives of dual language and immersion programs in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Educators can complete the university certificate with two to four years of part-time study and have up to seven years to complete it. Courses are offered on the Twin Cities campus. The certificate may be completed independently or in conjunction with a master of education (M.Ed.), master of arts (M.A.), or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program in the area of second languages and cultures education at the University of Minnesota.

The university certificate in Dual Language and Immersion Education is designed to meet the interests of dual language and immersion teachers and potential teachers as well as to meet a variety of professional development needs. A wide variety of elective courses can be used to meet certificate requirements, including other SLC course offerings, special summer immersion institutes, and courses required for elementary teaching licensure. Elective courses must align with the goals of the university certificate program and be pre-approved by a faculty adviser.

Curriculum

Students must complete at least 15 credits of the following coursework:

Required courses (9 credits)

CI 5651—Foundations of Second Languages and Cultures Education (3 cr)
CI 5671—Content-Based Second Language Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3 cr)
CI 5672—Language-Focused Instructional Practices and Strategies (3 cr)

Elective courses

Six elective credits selected with adviser approval.

With faculty adviser approval, up to three transfer credits from another institution may be applied to this certificate program.

Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule.

Upon completion of the university certificate program requirements, students complete and submit the certificate completion form and the Application for M.Ed. Degree and/or Certificate to their adviser. Students will receive a paper certificate, and documentation of certificate completion will appear on the academic transcript.

Admission

This University certificate 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. To meet admission requirements, applicants must:

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (students currently enrolled in a University of Minnesota graduate-level degree program may also apply)
Have a 2.80 minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
Either be currently practicing as a dual language or immersion teacher or provide evidence of the necessary background and interest (based on a goal statement)
Provide evidence of sufficient English proficiency needed to succeed in graduate coursework

Note: For nonnative speakers of English, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. The following minimum TOEFL scores are required: 575 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based), or 89 (internet-based). If TOEFL scores are not available, other evidence must be submitted.

Applicants must submit the following items:

A completed Dual Language and Immersion Education Certificate Application [.pdf], also available at CEHD Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
A résumé
A goal statement (if applicant is not a practicing dual language or immersion teacher)

Send application materials to:

Diane Tedick
Department of Curriculum & Instruction (C&I)
254 Peik Hall
159 Pillsbury Drive S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-1081; fax: 612-624-8277
E-mail: djtedick@umn.edu

Registration

After admission to the program, degree-seeking students can register for courses online.

Students not already admitted to the University of Minnesota and who do not wish to apply to a degree program should complete a First-Time Registration for Non-Degree Seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are available at the college’s office of Student Services, 150 Williamson Hall, 231 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; or cehdgrad@umn.edu.

For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.

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 and fees page.

Residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba may be eligible for special tuition reciprocity rates comparable to Minnesota resident rates.

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.

For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-7070, fax: 612-625-9801.

Core faculty

Martha Bigelow
Ph.D., Georgetown University
612-624-7087, e-mail: mbigelow@umn.edu

Tara Fortune
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
612-626-8826, e-mail: fortu001@umn.edu

Diane J. Tedick
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
612-625-1081, e-mail: djtedick@umn.edu

Constance L. Walker
Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
612-625-4828, e-mail: walke002@umn.edu

For more information

For more information about the certificate program in dual language and immersion education, contact: