English as a Second Language (PreK-12) Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in English as a Second Language PreK-12 is intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base that undergirds effective, equity focused teaching of K-12 students who are acquiring a second language and from a range of backgrounds and cultures. A graduate certificate in English as a Second Language PreK-12 is appropriate for PreK-12 teachers endorsed in areas outside of English as a Second Language PreK-12 teachers endorsed in an area of second language education at the undergraduate level, administrators and supervisors aspiring to lead schools or serve in roles supporting students’ second language acquisition, non-endorsed professionals whose work (e.g., museum, public-service agency) interfaces significantly with PreK-12 education, and those interested in home schooling. Coursework in this certificate is designed to lead to an additional endorsement in English as a Second Language Education for teachers licensed in other areas in the state of Tennessee, pending transcript review, passing appropriate licensure exams and recommendation of the faculty advisor.

Campus Code

Distance Education
Knoxville Campus

Graduate Certificate Type

Add-On
Stand-Alone

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants can be currently admitted to a degree program at UTK or can apply solely for the English as a Second Language PreK-12 Graduate Certificate through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All 12 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for a certificate.

Academic Standards

• Students must maintain a 3.50 graduate GPA in all certificate courses in the program and complete the requirements within five years of applying for a certificate.

Credit Hours Required

• 12 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• WLEL 489 
• WLEL 466 
• WLEL 586 
• WLEL 556  

Non-Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.