The Post-baccalaureate Advanced Certificate and the Post-masters Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education are fully online, 15 credit programs that prepare teachers who hold a valid Initial, Professional, or Permanent New York State classroom teaching certificate in another area to gain an Initial/Professional Bilingual Education Extension. These comprehensive programs will teach bilingual and multilingual educators the theoretical foundations of bilingual, dual language, and multilingual education; linguistic concepts of English Language Learners; approaches and best classroom practices and assessments to support bilingual/multilingual learners; practical techniques of grammar instruction; the effects of historical, legal, and political issues in relation to linguistically and culturally diverse populations; native language literacy; and evidence-based practices in first and second language acquisition within a social justice framework
Admission Requirements
Admission to the programs require the applicant to hold a valid Initial, Professional, or Permanent NYS Teacher Certification, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and submit a personal statement, official transcript of his or her bachelors and master's degree (if completed) along with a complete application. Native-like fluency in a NYSED approved language is also required. There will be an interview of applicants to determine fluency. Visit the Admission page of this catalog for a full list of requirements for admission.
Please Note: The Bilingual Education programs will be accepting students for the Fall and Summer terms only.
Program Delivery and Tuition Rate
These certificate programs are delivered through online courses and are billed at the Non-MBA rate.
Mandatory Professional Licensure Disclosure
New York State takes pride in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires. The full details regarding this disclosure related to the applicable SUNY Empire degree programs may be found here.
Upon successful completion of these programs, students should be able to:
- Summarize the different definitions of bilingualism/multilingualism and how bilinguals /multilinguals learn and use their language in different situations.
- Develop instructional and assessment strategies for supporting bilingual/multilingual English language learners in their learning across the content areas in both English and their native language.
- Construct meaningful learning opportunities that combine academic language development with lessons that affirm cultural and linguistic diversity.
- Describe the cognitive differences and similarities between bilinguals/multilinguals and monolinguals.
- Evaluate divergent theories of second language acquisition while connecting them with practices.
- Evaluate how language, as a system of sounds with the purpose of making meaning, connects with the disciplines of psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
- Apply theories, principles, and practices of teaching English to speakers of other languages in the P-12 classroom.
- Describe the effects of family background, societal and cultural norms concerning language, education, and age on bilingualism and how society can contribute to or hinder bilingualism/multilingualism.
