ESL and Bilngual Graduate Endorsements

UNC offers two Graduate level Teacher Endorsement Programs:

Both Endorsment programs' coursework can be counted towards the Master of Arts in Teaching: Linguistically Diverse Emphasis

Bilingual Education Endorsement

The graduate Bilingual Education Endorsement Program was created with the primary goal to help educators support and enhance the biliteracy skills of students in their classrooms, and to address the critical shortage of Linguistically Diverse: Bilingual Specialists throughout the state of Colorado. This program is offered to educators who already hold a teaching licensure and the Colorado Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement (ESL) or equivalent.  The program requires the completion of 18 semester hours. After the completion of the program, students must pass the Bilingual Education PLACE Exam to be eligible for the Bilingual Education Specialist state endorsement.

Admission Requirements:

  • Admission to the Graduate School;
  • a teaching licensure;
  • the Colorado Linguistically Diverse (ESL) endorsement; and
  • evidence of Spanish fluency.

Program requirements (18 credit hours)

  1. SPAN 555: Spanish Readings (3)
  2. EDLD 600: Literacy and Content Instruction in the Spanish Bilingual Classroom (3)
  3. EDLD 604: Field Experience in Bilingual/ESL Education (3)
  4. EDLD 605: Seminar in Bilingual Education and TESOL I (3)
  5. EDLD 606: Linguistically Diverse Students in the U.S. Educational System (3)
  6. 3 Graduate Credits of Spanish Language with approval of advisor

Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement

The graduate Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement program was created to help teachers serve the growing number of English language learners in their classrooms, and to address the critical shortage of teachers who are eligible to apply for the Colorado Linguistically Diverse Education endorsement so that they can effectively educate students who are learning English as a new language. This program is offered for educators who already hold a teaching licensure or are enrolled in a teacher preparation program. The Linguistically Diverse Education program requires the completion of 21 semester hours. After the completion of the program, students must pass the ESL PLACE Exam to be eligible for the LDE state endorsement.

Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the Graduate School;
  • teaching licensure or enrollment in a teacher preparation program;
  • at least 3 credits of previous literacy instruction; and
  • evidence of familiarity with a second language.

The program requirements (21)

  1. EDLD 592: Second Language Acquisition Theory (3)
  2. EDLD 593: Language, School, and Society (3)
  3. EDLD 594: Foundations of Language & Linguistics for ESL/Bilingual Educators  (3)
  4. EDLD 602: Teaching Linguistically Diverse Learners (3)
  5. EDLD 603: Methods & Assessment for ESL/Bilingual Classrooms (3)
  6. EDLD 604: Field Experience in ESL/Bilingual (3)
  7. EDRD 620: Reading in the Middle and Secondary School (3), or
    • EDRD 612: Reading in the Elementary School (3)  

Application checklist

  • __Online application submitted. Go to https://www.unco.edu/applications/graduate/index.aspx to complete your application. (this will also include the application fee which you will submit with your application.)
  • __Two official transcripts from each university you have attended.
  • __Three letters of recommendation addressing your potential as a graduate student and your potential as a teacher. You may have your references submit a standard “To Whom it May Concern” letter or you may utilize the UNC form letter. Print it out and give it to the person writing the letter. Please, give them an envelope with the address above, have them complete the letter, sign the sealed envelope on the seal, and send it in with the correct postage either back to you to place in your application package or directly to UNC’s Graduate School.
  • __ Professional Statement (up to 500 words) addressing your potential and career goals.
  • Please submit all materials to:
    Graduate School and International Admissions
    Campus Box 135
    University of Northern Colorado
    Greeley, CO 80639 USA

Program Coordinator

Dr. Dana Walker