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English as a Second Language

Graduate Certificate

On-Campus & Online

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Get Your ESL Grad Certificate Through UW

If you are curious about the world, the growing number of English Language Learners in your classroom represents a tremendous opportunity to connect with students from all over the planet as well as acquire skills that will help you differentiate lessons for both your ELL and domestic students.

The graduate English as a Second Language certificate at UW is a 15-credit online/on campus program that allows you to earn an ESL certificate, whether you are a preservice or in-service teacher—or in another field where ESL skills might prove useful such as speech pathology.

The certificate program can lead to K-12 ESL Endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board to add to you elementary or secondary teaching license. This additional credential will expand your marketability as an educator who is an expert in ESL teaching and learning. Undergraduate students can take these courses as electives to add the endorsement to their future teaching license.

Program Details

Tuition and Fees

Please visit our cost of attendance page

Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Education
School of Teacher Education

About English as a Second Language

As a UW English as a Second Language student, you will learn about cultural differences, the theories behind second language acquisition and methods for teaching ESL while also gaining first-hand experience observing and teaching ESL lessons. The program culminates with an internship that will give you experience working with ESL learners in PK-12 classrooms and adult learning settings. Read our FAQs if you have questions.

 

Need to speak with our program coordinator?
Get in touch with us today!

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If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program at UW, you can add the ESL graduate certificate to your transcripts! 

Required Documents

  • Upload unofficial copies of transcripts (official copies should be sent to UW Admissions)

How To Apply
Please visit our program admission webpage for more details, the online application, program change form and more!

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What Can You Do with an English as Second Language Graduate Certificate?

The UW post-baccalaureate ESL certificate offers preparation to teach English as a Second Language in PK-12 and adult educational environments.

ESL Careers

UW ESL graduates can hold titles such as:

  • Spanish teacher/ESL
  • ESL teacher
  • DLI teacher (Dual Language Immersion)
  • Mainstream classroom teacher
  • Principal
  • Assistant professor
  • Instructor of English Language Learning
  • International student advisor

 

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Wyoming Department of Education data shows that English language learners have increased by 20.94% in the state since 2010, driving a demand for highly qualified English as a Second Language educators

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English as a Second Language Graduate Certificate Program Highlights

Students report that not only does the ESL graduate certificate program provide them with skills they can use to help all their students, it also generates additional job opportunities because of the growing need for ESL teachers in classrooms nationwide.

Here are some reasons to choose the University of Wyoming for your ESL endorsement:

 

Accredited

UW’s College of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). UW is also a member of TESOL, the largest professional organization for teachers of English as a second or foreign language.

Faculty

Learn from expert ESL teacher trainers, who have PK-12 teaching experience.

UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic

Participate in the work of UW’s Literacy Research Center and Clinic. The center provides professional development for current teachers, practical experiences for pre-service teachers as well as a hub for scholarship by graduate students, faculty and visiting scholars.

 

 

Flexibility

Complete the ESL graduate certificate program entirely online or through weekend intensive classes at the UW Laramie campus. Twelve credit hours of your ESL program can also be applied to a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. This leaves only 18 hours to complete the master’s. (Note: If you take the endorsement at the undergraduate level, six credits will be considered graduate credit hours).

 

 

Graduate Credit

Licensed teachers can take this certificate program to expand their skills and increase their marketability in the short-term while applying courses towards a future master's degree in education.

UW Conferences

Participate in UW’s annual state conferences focusing on English as a second language, dual language immersion, literacy, education law and education policy to gain exposure to the latest research and best practices in these areas. You can even present your own research!

ESL Experience

Gain exposure to teaching in an ESL classroom to gain confidence and demonstrate your competency during your practicum experience.

Internship

Complete an internship in which you will observe K-12 classrooms with ESL students and teach lessons in those classrooms.

Scholarships

Help fund your education with a College of Ed graduate scholarship. Here are some possible options:

Dr. Joseph I. Stepans Excellence in Education Scholarship
Elnora Brooks Memorial Scholarship
Margaret “Peggy” Cooney Scholarship
John K. Corbett Memorial Scholarship
Leona S. and Jeanette Heptner Scholarship

University of Wyoming International Program

Work with international students attending UW one-on-one helping them learn English and adjust to new cultural environment.

 

I would encourage anyone and everyone to get out there and take the ESL endorsement. It’s beneficial for mainstream teachers and ESL teachers to have strategies and methods to bring into your classroom to best suit the needs of all your students.

- Shelby Jorgenson
B.S. '15

Related Programs

If you are interested in issues related to multicultural education and literacy, you might consider the following program:

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We're Eager to Help!

School of Teacher Education

Dixie Brackman

Lecturer, Educational Foundations (ESL Education)

Email: dixie.brackman@uwyo.edu