Graduate Certificate - English as a Second Language (ESL) Education

The Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education prepares educators to effectively support bilingual and multilingual English learners in diverse educational settings. Grounded in research-based best practices, this program equips candidates with expertise in language acquisition, culturally responsive teaching, instructional strategies, assessment, and advocacy.

Candidates will explore the linguistic and cognitive processes of language development, gaining the skills needed to design instruction that supports language and literacy growth across content areas. The program emphasizes cultural competence, preparing educators to create inclusive learning environments that affirm students’ linguistic and cultural identities. Candidates will also develop assessment literacy, using data to inform instruction and evaluate student progress.

Through field-based experiences, candidates will engage in collaborative problem-solving, leadership development, and applied research to address the unique needs of English language learners (ELLs). The program also fosters a Christ-centered approach to ethical education, emphasizing integrity, cultural humility, and a commitment to equitable education.

This program is designed for teachers, instructional leaders, and education professionals who work with linguistically diverse students in K-12 schools, adult education, higher education, and international settings. While fulfilling Indiana’s licensure requirements for English to Speakers of Other Languages (P-12) endorsement, the program also serves educators worldwide seeking to enhance their skills in bilingual and multilingual education.

This 15 credit-hour certificate in Second Language (ESL) Education is a pathway for training for those who need to take the Indiana English to Speakers of Other Languages assessment. In addition, this program is open to candidates from all states and countries; these candidates are responsible for determining how the Indiana endorsement could be applied to a license issued by another state or jurisdiction. This could include teachers and leaders in the following schools: International schools, ACSI schools both stateside and overseas, charter, and private schools.

Candidates who have completed this program should be able to:

Articulate the progress of language acquisition and development and the role this process plays in students' educational experience.
Recognize that students' primary culture plays a crucial role in their adaptation to school.
Facilitate instruction by creating a supportive environment and implementing the appropriate activities that promote learning for ELLs (English Language Learners)/MLLs (Multilingual Learners).
Use formal assessments and informal assessment strategies that include methods to promote ELL (English Language Learners)/MLL (Multilingual Learners) development.
Build partnerships and serve as experts to support students, colleagues, and other stakeholders to benefit ELLs (English Language Learners)/MLLs (Multilingual Learners).
Apply Christ-like leadership by modeling personal integrity, communication skills, cultural responsiveness, and ethical/legal decision-making.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University. Transcripts from foreign institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA. If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.
An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
Candidates need:
- A valid (but not necessarily current) state teacher’s license. (Not required for non-licensure candidates.)
- At least one year of teaching experience from an approved and accredited public, private, or parochial P-12 school in the United States or abroad. (Not required for non-licensure candidates.)
- Supporting documentation demonstrating access to students with ESL needs to complete clinical experiences in a P-12 classroom.
Submit a signed School of Integrated Learning and Development FERPA release form.

Clinical Experience Requirements

Clinical or field experiences are required. Candidates may complete field experience within their own classroom or school.

Licensure Testing

Candidates who wish to be recommended for the Indiana license endorsement for English as a Second Language must satisfy all completion requirements and receive a passing score on the required Indiana state English Learner assessment. Candidates who seek licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the Certificate in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.

Completion Requirements

To complete the English as a Second Language (ESL) Education certificate, candidates must:

Successfully complete the program requirements.
Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate - Program of Study

Certificate Courses

EDEL-510	Language Acquisition in Classroom Instruction	3
EDEL-520	Culture and Language Learning for Bilingual and ESL Learners	3
EDEL-530	Instructional Strategies for Bilingual and ESL Learners	3
EDEL-540	Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction for Bilingual and ESL Learners	3
EDEL-550	Advocacy in Bilingual and ESL Education	3
Total Credit Hours:		15