Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate
Objectives
The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate (CLDE) is a fully online certificate program for Montana teachers or who are currently or will serve Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in mainstream pre-K-12 classrooms. This certificate program is designed to systematically provide educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help their students master specific course material while improving their academic English literacy skills. Furthermore, this unique program will enhance the statewide efforts to meet federal requirements for serving Limited English Proficient students and making learning accessible through language and cultural barriers. The CLDE certificate is an approved ESL added endorsement pathway for teachers in the state of Montana.
Program Flow
The coursework leading to a CLDE certificate includes four 3-credit graduate courses designed to prepare teachers in Montana to meet the needs of Limited English Proficient PK-12 students and in so doing meet the Montana constitutional mandate of Indian Education for All. Students matriculate into the certificate program Summer Semester.
Program of Study
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Credits
|
|---|---|---|
Summer Semester |
ESL: Teaching language development of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students |
3
|
Summer Semester |
Literacy Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students |
3
|
Fall Semester |
Assessment of ELL |
3
|
Spring Semester |
A Model for Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Practice |
3
|
|
Total Credits
|
12
|
|
Program Options
Two options to complete the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Certificate are available:
- Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate
Contact our team for information about the CLDE Certificate. This program is geared to teachers who want to obtain the English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement or teachers seeking Limited English Proficient for PK-12 students professional development. - Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Educator Option. The Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education program offers an option to earn a Masters degree (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction after completion of all CLDE coursework. The Masters portion involves completion of 18 additional credits past the 12 required by the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education certificate program, and these courses are also offered online. Contact Dr. Nick Lux, Curriculum and Instruction Program Leader for additional information or visit the Curriculum & Instruction website.
A student may apply to the full M.Ed. program at any time during or after their certificate program; however, all courses for both must be completed within 6 years. Students who choose this option may be enrolled in two programs simultaneously: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate and Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction.
Application Process and Deadline
The minimum requirement for admission to the certificate program is a bachelor's degree in education. Click here to access the online Graduate School application
Please remember that this certification program/endorsement must be added to an existing teaching certificate.
During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:
- Completed Graduate School Application
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Transcripts from all universities attended, with degrees posted:
- All applicants must upload unofficial or official transcripts during the online application process, even if you are currently still working on your degree.
- Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application and upload unofficial transcripts.
- If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended.
- MSU requires an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
- Personal Statement - please address the following:
- Brief background statement which includes: time in education, development and growth as a teacher, including English (EL) and multilingual learner (ML) student experiences.
- Goal for completing the CLDE Certificate - Describe your career goals for the future and how you see the completion of the certificate as helping you achieve your goals.
Additional information may be requested by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of the application.
Students matriculate into the certificate program Summer Semester only. The following is the deadline dates by which all of the application materials must be submitted via the Graduate School Online Application System:
- Summer Semester: April 1st
Completion of Program & Licensure Information
The coursework for the CLDE certificate will count towards the requirements for an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement in multiple states including Montana. At the completion of coursework and graduation, the certificate will be posted to transcripts approximately 12-14 days AFTER the semester ends. When the certificate is posted, individuals may request an official transcript. Visit Office of Field Placement and Licensure's website Licensing for Graduates and choose Adding an Endorsement to your License:
- On TeachMontana choose the option to add an endorsement.
- Complete all elements of the application.
- University Recommendation: Request a University Recommendation from the MSU Licensing Office
- Upon confirmation of your University Recommendation, log back in to OPI to pay any applicable fees.
For assistance with recommendations for licensure and the Montana TeachMT application process contact MSU Office of Field Placement and Licensure at Phone: 406-994-4761 or email: fplo@montana.edu.
Contact Information
Dr. Rebecca Turk, Director of the Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education;
CLDE Certificate Program Leader
Email: Rebecca.turk@montana.edu Phone: 406-994-4537
Graduate Program Coodinator
Department of Education, Montana State University
PO Box 172880, Reid Hall 215 Bozeman, MT 59717-2880
Email: edgrad@montana.edu Phone: 406-994-6786
