The program consists of 20 credits in Applied Language Studies (ALS) and Linguistics (LIN) as set forth below. It is designed for completion in one or two years by individuals who are already teaching and seeking further professional development or by those seeking additional preparation in order to enter the field of English as a Second Language (ESL).

Students who complete the program will have a thorough grounding in approaches to the study of human language and the principles of language learning and teaching. Please note that this certificate program is not equivalent to state certification.

Admission

All applicants with baccalaureate degrees from a regionally accredited institution will be considered. Ordinarily, a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.00 is required for admission to the program (as is the case for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in linguistics). Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English in order to be admitted to the Certificate Program.

Requirements for the Certificate

Students must complete an approved program of at least 20 credits with an overall average of 3.00 in all courses, including ALS 518, LIN 503 or LIN 504, and ALS 517 or ALS 538. LIN 519 is also required for students with little or no ESL teaching experience. Students will choose at least 8 additional credits from among the following: ALS 517, 519, 538, 535, 574, 576; LIN 503, 504, 505, 507. Other ALS or LIN courses may be substituted with the approval of the certificate adviser. Courses included in the certificate should be selected to enhance competency in a specific field of interest and/or application. A minimum grade of 2.5 in each course and an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the Certificate Program.

Relationship to the Master of Arts in Linguistics

All courses listed under the requirements for the certificate count fully toward the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics with a TESL specialization. It is anticipated that a graduate of the certificate program who has all the prerequisites for the Master of Arts in Linguistics can apply for admission to that program and complete the additional credits needed for that degree in approximately two calendar years as a part-time student or in one calendar year as a full-time student. For students completing the certificate program who have less than a 3.0 grade point average in courses taken in that program, and who wish to apply for admission to the M.A. program, the department will consider their applications on an individual basis.

Practicum Eligibility

Eligibility for the Practicum (ALS 519) requires completion of ALS 518 with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Non-native speakers of English must in addition, satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English.