Foreign Language Education (FLE)

Graduate Certificate

Description of Certificate

This certificate consists of four courses (12 credit hours) that can be applied to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) or the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with department approval.  The certificate curriculum also leads to the ESOL endorsement for State of Florida teachers.

Certificate courses are offered online, on weekday evenings, on Saturdays throughout the academic year, through intensives during the summer break, in centrally located selected school sites, and other alternate and flexible delivery formats.

Those who complete the certificate will broaden their depth of expertise in teaching foreign languages and will be more competitive in the field of teaching.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have:

• A minimum 3.0 GPA
• Approximately 30 credits hours of undergraduate coursework in a foreign language OR
• Proficiency in a foreign language
  
  

Required Courses

This graduate certificate curriculum consists of 12 credit hours.

Elective Courses

Two elective courses are selected from an area of specialization:

• ESOL
• Second Language Acquisition
• Applied Language
• Foreign Language Education
• Spanish, German, French or Latin specific courses

For a representative sampling of these courses, please view the certificate information web page at www.outreach.usf.edu/gradcerts.

Application Process

Please visit:

http://www.outreach.usf.edu/gradcerts/admissions.asp to download an application.  In addition to the application forms, please submit:

• Official transcripts showing attainment of the bachelor's degree if from an institution other than USF.  International applicants must provide original transcripts certified as equivalent to the U.S. bachelor's degree;
• A 250-word letter of interest stating why you wish to pursue this course of study;
• A resume

Registration Process

First, consult with the certificate program advisor and obtain an electronic course permit if necessary. Then go to http://usfonline.admin.usf.edu, the link to OASIS, USF's online registration system.  Follow the directions given online.

For more information about the College of Education certificates and degrees, please visit:  www.coedu.usf.edu/main/programs.html

For more details about master's or Ph.D. programs, financial aid, or to view the Graduate Catalog, please visit

www.grad.usf.edu or call (813) 974-2846.

Tuition and Fees

Fees parallel that of standard graduate-level courses. Please visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/pfs/tuition_cost.html for more information.

Financial Aid

Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 813-974-4700 for information about exceptions and for names of private lenders.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credits will be considered by the certificate program director if they meet the certificate requirements.

Standardized Test Requirements  - Not required

Credit Toward Graduate Degree - Up to 12 hours of certificate course credits may be applied to a graduate degree with departmental approval.

Time Limit - Certificate courses must be completed in 5 years.