Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language, Certificate
Study second language acquisition, biliteracy, bilingualism and culturally sustaining pedagogy while developing evidence-based instructional practices that support culturally and linguistically diverse learners. You can build advocacy skills to promote equitable support systems for multilingual students and their families.
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Program description
In the certificate program in bilingual education and English as a second language, you prepare to work with a growing population of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in the certificate program in bilingual education and English as a second language.
This certificate program enables you to meet requirements for endorsements in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language through the Arizona Department of Education. This certificate program can be added to the following Bachelor of Arts in Education programs at Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation:
- BAE in early childhood education
- BAE in elementary education
- BAE in middle grades education
- BAE in physical education
- BAE in secondary education
- BAE in special education
You learn and apply knowledge and skills in areas related to second language acquisition, biliteracy and bilingualism, culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogies, and evidence-based instructional practices that value language diversity as an asset. Additionally, the certificate program helps you develop critical perspectives that enable you to advocate for equitable support systems that meet the needs of linguistically diverse children and families.
This program does not lead to teacher certification.
Format option
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. ASU Sync enables you to attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real time with faculty and peers. As a ASU Sync student, you must reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. If you have F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program. Students with F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync.
If you are seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Why earn a bilingual education and English a second language undergraduate certificate at ASU?
In this program, you gain expertise through flexible pathways that prepare you to support diverse learners, elevate inclusive practices, and lead with purpose in classrooms and beyond.
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation's focus on teaching and learning innovation means you engage with current scholarship and applied approaches throughout your studies.
Additional details
At MLFC, you become part of a community within a community. You participate in all the traditions and access all the resources available through ASU, but you also connect with and benefit from the more intimate college community of students who share similar passions and professional interests.
You can get involved at ASU through community service, cultural and heritage events, fraternity and sorority life, intramural sports fitness, Sun Devil traditions, Changemaker Central and much more. There is a place for every student at MLFC.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
This certificate requires 18 credit hours, of which at least 15 must be upper division. |
||
| Required Courses | ||
|
BLE 220 Foundations of Structured English Immersion
(HUAD)
or
BLE 408 Structured English Immersion (SEI) Methods
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BLE 336 Culturally Sustaining and Transformative Pedagogies
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BLE 338 Foundations of Second Language Acquisition and Development
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BLE 400 Principles of Language Minority Education
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BLE 481 Elementary Multilingual Education Practicum
This course contains an embedded professional experience.
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
TEL 340 Families, Communities and Cultures: Cultivating Networks of Culturally Responsive Relationships
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
||
|
To be eligible to apply for an English as a Second Language Endorsement or a Bilingual Education Endorsement, students must complete this certificate, complete their teacher preparation program, and provide verification of second language experience. The ESL endorsement requires second language learning experience which can be satisfied through the completion of two undergraduate foreign language classes. The BLE endorsement requires verification of proficiency in a spoken language other than English or sign language which can be satisfied through an external test. Students majoring in Special Education who want to obtain the BLE endorsement will be required to take one additional course in teaching students with exceptionalities from non-English language backgrounds. |
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement,and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Analyze and acknowledge the local/cultural context, personal histories, and experiences relevant to problem(s) of practice
- Engage in cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners
- Evaluate competing perspectives on a problem of practice within an educational context and present a reasoned analysis of the issue informed by major theories and evidence-based practices
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to local, social and/or global contexts
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learnersEnrollment requirements
This certificate program is open only to students majoring in the early childhood education, elementary education, special education, secondary education, middle grades education and physical education undergraduate teacher preparation programs in MLFC.
Students are required to have a valid Arizona DPS Identity Verified Print fingerprint clearance card.
A GPA of 2.00 is required for continued good standing. Students should contact MLFC for more information.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student but may not be eligible for an institutional recommendation for Arizona teaching licensure without additional preparation beyond the certificate.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this bilingual education and English a second language undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates are highly sought-after teachers in public, charter and private education institutions, including in the increasing number of dual-language programs.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
|
ED 118
educationadvising@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
