Non-degree Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement Program
- Degrees & Programs
- Download the program guide (includes course list and application requirements)
- Contact Marie Pavelchak, Senior Student Program Coordinator in the Office of Student and Academic Services
Program Overview
The Bilingual/Bicultural non-degree endorsement online program is designed for individuals who possess a New Jersey Standard teaching certificate or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in mathematics, science, social studies, English as a second language, or elementary education and who wish to earn the Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement. Candidates will be recommended for the Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement upon completion of the 12-credit program. All 12 credits in the endorsement program must be completed online at Rutgers University. No transfer credits will be accepted.
The program does not lead to a degree and is usually completed exclusively through online courses. If students are interested in taking an endorsement course offered on the New Brunswick campus, they must obtain special permission from the instructor.
Students admitted to this non-degree program may apply to the Ed.M. in Language Education with Endorsement in Bilingual/Bicultural Education program prior to completing 12 credits and, upon acceptance, may complete both the certificate and the Master’s degree. It is essential to apply early because taking the courses does not guarantee acceptance to the Master’s program.
Applicants interested in obtaining their initial teaching certification should apply to the Ed.M. certification in English as a Second Language program rather than this program. Bilingual/Bicultural certification is not available as an initial certification program.
For more information about this program:
Note to Students Currently Enrolled in the Program:
The 21-credit Bilingual/Bicultural Education (BBE) endorsement program has changed to the new 12-credit BBE endorsement program (described above), effective fall 2020. Current students enrolled in the 21-credit non-degree BBE endorsement program who began on or before fall 2020 should note that the new 12-credit program requirements do meet the New Jersey Department of Education certification requirements. If you began the BBE endorsement program on or before fall 2020, you have the option of taking the new program with less credit requirements.
Program Details
Application Deadline
Aug 15 / Dec 15 / May 15
Entry Term(s)
Fall / Spring / Summer
Program Level
Non-degree
Program Type
Certification
Format
100% Online
Credits
12
-
What You’ll Learn
Students enrolled in the Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement program at the GSE will take foundational courses grounded in culturally sustaining language pedagogy and practice. Community-engaged courses will allow students to connect theory and practice, and to learn with and from multilingual communities. In doing so, you can expect to learn more about bilingual education in the United States and around the world, as well as the principles and practices underlying bilingualism-biculturalism in a multiethnic society.
For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.
-
Program Requirements
12 Graduate Course Credits
- 3 Credits – Principles of Language Learning: Second and World Language Acquisition
- 3 Credits – Foundations of Language
- 3 Credits – Academic English in the Content Areas*
- 3 Credits – Bilingual/Bicultural Education
*Students who have successfully taken both 05:300:452 and 453 as part of a 5-year or postbaccalaureate initial certification program at the GSE may substitute those courses for 15:253:510. Only students who took these courses as part of a GSE initial certification program may make the substitution.
Portfolio
- Students will archive artifacts from various GSE courses via an online instructional and evaluation system as directed by faculty
Students are expected to maintain a “B” or better average as a non-degree student. Accepted students will have 5 years to complete the program. After completing all of the required courses in the program, students should contact the Office of Academic Services at the GSE to notify them and to secure an application for the state endorsement. GSE personnel will then forward the completed application to Trenton along with a recommendation that the certification be awarded.
Additional Requirements for New Jersey Certification:
New Jersey statute N.J.S.A. 18A:37-22 requires that educators entering the workforce in the 2012 school year and beyond must have completed through their pre-service preparation (e.g., courses, practicum) a program on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) prevention. The HIB prevention requirements apply to the following programs: (a) teachers and education services personnel certifications; and (b) administrative certifications, including chief school administrators, principals, and supervisors. Details on the required training can be found here.
-
Careers and Outcomes
With increasing diversity in New Jersey schools and a growing need for bilingual-bicultural educators, certified teachers who enroll in and complete the Bilingual-Bicultural Endorsement Program distinguish themselves from their peers and are better situated for priority employment, career advancement, and increases in compensation. Beyond acting as practitioners, graduates may find themselves in educational advocacy, advisory, consulting, and development roles, both within and outside of traditional school settings. Completion of the program can also serve as a pathway to a Master’s Degree in Language Education with Endorsement in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. Students admitted to the non-degree program who wish to also pursue their Master’s Degree with the Bilingual/Bicultural Endorsement are strongly encouraged to apply to the degree program as early as possible because taking the non-degree courses does not guarantee acceptance to the Master’s program.
-
Admissions Requirements
- Statement of Program Intent
- Electronic copy of a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS).
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Passing scores on the Oral Proficiency Interview and a Written Proficiency Test in English and in the target language administered by ACTFL.
- Any test scores submitted must be less than five years old. Scores must be official, not self-reported.
Applicants are responsible for reviewing and confirming that they meet all requirements before the application is submitted. Rutgers Graduate School of Education will not refund the application fee if an applicant is not accepted.
-
How to Apply
Current Rutgers University Students:
All applicants who are currently enrolled in a program at Rutgers University and wish to begin the certificate program while continuing their current program should contact the GSE Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) at academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu.
Non-Rutgers University Students:
- Collect the materials required for admission
- Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
- Submit supporting materials online
- Any supporting materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be mailed to Graduate Admissions’ New Brunswick office. Their mailing address can be found here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us
-
Tuition
Tuition:
Click here for the New Brunswick Graduate tuition rates.