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Program Overview

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Online Bilingual/Bicultural Education Certification Program is a 12-credit program covering the essential topics of applied linguistics, language acquisition, biliteracy development, pedagogical theory and teaching methods of content areas in bilingual/bicultural settings. This 12-credit concentration may be applied toward a 36-credit Master of Arts in Education for Certified Teachers (M.A.C.T.) degree and includes the 12 credits required by the New Jersey Department of Education for a second New Jersey certification as a Bilingual/Bicultural educator. Upon completing the program, candidates are eligible for state certification to teach Bilingual Education in P-12 schools. 

This is a fully online program that candidates can complete from any location in 2-3 consecutive semesters. Candidates who are interested in also obtaining their ESL Certificate only need to complete three more courses to obtain both certificates.

The New Jersey Department of Education requires a demonstration of oral and written language proficiency in English and the target language for Bilingual certification.  Students meet this requirement by taking the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in English through Language Testing International at http://www.languagetesting.com/acad_nj1.cfm.

Admission requirements

  • Evidence of a standard or CEAS New Jersey teaching certificate in an instructional area (excluding world languages).
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework showing a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA  from an accredited college or university.
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your recent professional practice (e.g., supervisor, administrator, teacher, university professor).

Degree Plan

Required Courses (12 credits)

Second New Jersey Certification in Bilingual/Bicultural Education (12 credits)

  • EDUC6550 Methodology in Bilingual/Bicultural Education
  • EDUC6551 Language Acquisition in Bilingual/Bicultural Contexts
  • EDUC6574 Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers
  • EDUC6654 Literacy Development for Second Language Learners
Contact Information
For more information
sorasuh@fdu.edu

Course Descriptions

  • EDUC6550 This course introduces students to current principles and methods of K-12 bilingual/bicultural education, against the backdrop of its historical, legal, and societal foundations. Through course readings, classroom activities, projects, and field experiences, students build their competence to design bilingual/bicultural education methodology that is student-centered and culturally-responsive. Particular attention is given to the development of academic language in bilingual/bicultural environments.

  • EDUC6551 This course introduces students to current theories of language acquisition in bilingual/bicultural contexts. It explores current understandings of language development for emerging bilingual/bicultural individuals in K-12 educational settings.

  • EDUC6574 Examines knowledge derived from the linguistic sciences about the nature of language, how it is acquired and the practical application of linguistic knowledge to the teaching of a second language. The Lexicon and grammar of American English in comparison with other languages and resultant implications for teaching both in a second/foreign language are the foci of this course.

  • EDUC6654 Explores the process of acquiring literacy skills as part of the process of second language acquisi- tion. A review of reading theories and second language acquisition theories and transferability of literacy skills from L1 to L2 will be reviewed. The impact of these theories on instructional practices will be emphasized.