English as Second Language Graduate Certificate

The ESL Program Specialist Certificate Program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program prepares candidates to develop classroom practices for attending to the academic and language needs of English language learners. The ESL Program Specialist Certificate enables candidates to teach English as a Second Language (ESL)/English Language Development (ELD) in the elementary, middle, and secondary levels in PK12 schools.  The program also enables PK4 teachers and content area teachers who teach 4-8 and 7-12 grades to work with ESL students in their classrooms. Candidates must hold or be enrolled in an Instructional I or II teaching certificate to enroll in the program. Candidates must hold Instructional I Teaching Licensure to apply to PDE for the ESL Program Specialist Certificate; however, coursework may be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.