Why this program?
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Dual Language Education (DLE) will prepare educators to teach and lead in DLE Pk-12 schools, which include bilingual and language immersion programs. DLE programs are expanding nationally and in local school districts, but we know there are limited options for educators to receive additional credentials that address the specific instructional needs of DLE educators. DLE teachers are typically certified in other areas, usually Elementary Education and/or World Languages. These credentials, however, do not always address the specialized characteristics and pedagogies associated with DLE programs, especially in the areas of research and scholarship regarding language acquisition and multilingualism. Ensuring educational equity for language minoritized learners, improving home-school connections, and fostering native language maintenance, multilingualism, and biliteracy becomes critical for DLE educators.
This 12-credit Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at the University of Maryland (UMD) addresses this gap in preparation to ensure the development of successful DLE educators and leaders.Our program aligns with the Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education’s emphasis on access and success for all students. In addition to offering the program on-campus, the program is offered online to accommodate a target audience of full-time employed educators whose schedules do not easily accommodate commuting after their standard school day. Both the on-campus and online versions of the program have the same educational objectives and curriculum.
Additionally, this program offers an entrance to the M. Ed. Program in Curriculum and Instruction offered at the University of Maryland. Courses are offered during the Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. Enhance your expertise in teaching multilingual learners and transform your career while fulfilling your district's continuing education credit requirements!
Who are we?
The Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership (TLPL) department, which offers master’s programs in Curriculum and Instruction and already offers courses in areas of biliteracy, second language acquisition, and cross-cultural education, has partnered with UMD’s School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, which provide elective courses in Spanish bilingualism.
For Whom?
This program welcomes educators from local school districts, including:
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Domestic bilingual teachers
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Educators that teach English in bilingual schools
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DLE school administrators
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Elementary Education teachers working in DLE programs with a provisional teaching certification
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International teachers who work or would like to work in DLE programs
Time Sequence
The certificate program is constituted by a 12-credit curriculum. The tentative duration of the program is four semesters: Summer I semester (3 credits), Fall semester (3 credits), Spring semester (3 credits), and summer II semester (3 credits). The program is offered both on-campus (especially summer courses) and through distance education (Fall and Spring semesters). Click here to see a sample plan of studies
Guiding Standards
The National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards (NDLETPS) aim to provide guidance for states using six standards critical to the success of DLE teacher preparation programs. Our program prepares teacher-learners to teach in Bilingual, Dual Language, and/or Immersion PreK-12 schools. Coursework is designed to meet the National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards in the following areas:
- Bilingualism and Biliteracy
- Sociocultural Competence/ Critical consciousness
- Instruction and Pedagogies
- Authentic Assessment
- Professionalism, Advocacy and Agency
- Program Design and Curricular Leadership
Plan of Studies
Elective Course Descriptions (link here)
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Course # |
Semester(s) |
Credits |
|
Required |
|||
|
Teaching for Equity in Bilingual/Dual Language Immersion Programs |
TLPL637 |
Fall & Spring |
3 |
|
One of the following (*3 credits required) |
|||
|
Second Language Acquisition |
TLPL662 |
Spring & Summer |
3 |
|
Bilingualism and Biculturalism in Spanish-Speaking Communities |
SPAN613 |
Summer |
3 |
|
One of the following (*3 credits required) |
|||
|
Foundations of Literacy and Biliteracy Development |
TLPL660 |
Spring & Summer |
3 |
|
Student Assessment in the Second Language Classroom |
TLPL655 |
Spring & Summer |
3 |
|
Teaching for Cross Cultural Communication |
TLPL657 |
Fall & Spring |
3 |
|
One of the following (*3 credits required) |
|||
|
Multiliteracies: Theory and Practice |
TLPL661 |
Spring |
3 |
|
Foundations of Second Language Education: Legal, Social and Historical Trends and Issues |
TLPL664 |
Fall |
3 |
|
Language and Education |
TLPL640 |
Fall |
3 |
|
Curriculum Design for Spanish Language Teaching |
SPAN424 |
Fall |
3 |
|
Current Trends in Hispanic Applied Linguistics |
SPAN611 |
Summer |
3 |
|
Hispanic Linguistics II: Language in Use |
SPAN626 |
Spring |
3 |
|
Or… Any course listed in the required courses section that was not used as a required course |
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Program Learning Outcomes
The program’s specific learning outcomes are as follows:
- Plan differentiated lessons that integrate best practices for DLE both for language minoritized and language majority students.
- Design units and lessons that align with Dual Language Standards.
- Explain and apply theories and research in bilingualism and second language acquisition relevant to dual language education.
- Assess bilingual language skills and communicative competencies using multiple sources of information.
- Collaborate with counterpart-teachers in partner language to successfully bridge materials and learning practices.
- Support language and content learning, understand language and literacy objectives
- Demonstrate critical consciousness, awareness of language ideologies and the intersection of race, class, gender and other socio-cultural factors that shape language learning
- Reflect on their role as a language policy maker in their own context.
Accreditation or Certification Requirements:
- Applicants must have an earned Bachelor's undergraduate degree to be eligible for program application
- Completed application and application fee
- Statement of purpose
- Focus on why you want to be in this specific program (i.e., what the program will offer you), why you would be a good candidate for the program (i.e., what you would offer the program), and what your ultimate goals are as it pertains to the Dual Language Education field.
- Current resume
- Transcripts for all universities attended
- Required for each institution attended (9 credits or more). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for admission purposes only; official transcripts must be provided upon acceptance to the program.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- You will need to provide the name and email address of each person who will write a letter of recommendation for you.
Apply now!
Before you apply: prepare your application materials
Next, apply at gradapply.umd.edu
After you apply: Monitor you application status, and if appropriate, apply for funding
Please refer to the Guide to Applying for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of Frequently Asked Questions. International applicants should visit the International admissions webpage for additional information.
If you have any questions about the application itself, contact Judy Foster at jfoster@umd.edu.
Advising
The DLE coordinator (Alejandro Pérez Belda) and the associated faculty at the TLPL department will advise prospective and enrolled students of the program requirements.
Financial Aid
*Financial Resources: Graduate tuition rates are based on approved resident and non-resident rates, on a per-credit basis. University of Maryland Tuition and Fees.
For additional information, consult with the program coordinator at anperez@umd.edu and/or with your school district representatives (Many school districts offer tuition reimbursement.)
The priority deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is February 15. For detailed information, see http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. For questions regarding Financial Aid, please contact the UMD Financial Aid Office at https://www.financialaid.umd.edu/, T. 301-314-9000.
The University of Maryland, College Park, College of Education General Scholarship
Award $1,000-$1,500
COE scholarships are awarded based on merit, scholarship application materials, and a variety of other factors in an effort to offer students support in pursuing their degrees and professional futures. Students can apply for the regular CoE scholarships before taking classes and can reapply the following year. The deadline is Sept. 1st. General CoE Scholarship Application and Information
Questions? Contact us!
Program Coordinator: Alejandro Pérez Belda, PhD
Contact Alejandro at anperez@umd.edu