Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bilingual/Bicultural Education Certificate Program at Rutgers University–Camden is a 12-credit program that prepares educators to teach in bilingual and bicultural classroom settings across New Jersey public schools. This program offers targeted preparation that leads to eligibility for the New Jersey Bilingual endorsement.

Program Details

• Degree: Graduate Certificate
• Credits: 12 credits
• Format: Part-time
• Duration: 2-4 semesters

Course Requirements

The program includes the following courses:

• LINGUISTICS (56:300:570): A study of language and cultures, including techniques for analyzing linguistic structures. This course will also examine sociolinguistics and writing systems. (NJPST 4 & 5)
• SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (56:300:570): This course focuses on the principles of second language learning and will explore the major themes and theories in second language acquisition and the learning impact in a classroom setting. Students will gain a more accurate perspective of the complexity of factors that shape language. (NJPST 1, 2, 6, 7, 8)
• DEVELOPMENTAL LITERACY FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (56:300:572): This course explores the reading, writing, and language development of multilingual learners at all levels. Students will explore various program models to build academic language and literacy, including immersion, transitional bilingual, and various ESL services. Students will create engaging literacy environments and culturally responsive teaching techniques to meet the needs of students of varying background and language proficiencies. (NJPST 1, 2, 3, 7, 8)
• METHODS & THEORY OF TEACHING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (56:300:573): This course explores the historical foundation of Bilingual and ESL Learners, and will investigate current research in effective, current pedagogical strategies for teaching Multilingual Learners in a variety of contexts. Students will also learn about theoretical and applied methods for choosing appropriate materials. (NJPST 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)

Admissions Requirements

• Transcripts: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate school
• GPA: 3.0 GPA in Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Personal Statement: A letter of interest/purpose
• Cover Letter & Curriculum Vitae: A curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter should be included if one’s work experience is relevant to the application
• NJDOE Requirement: Candidates must hold or be in the process of obtaining a NJ instructional certificate.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: August 15
• Spring: December 15
• Summer: May 1

Program Description

The Bilingual/Bicultural Education certificate builds your capacity to assess and teach multilingual learners in both English and a target language across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Candidates must hold, or be in the process of obtaining, a New Jersey instructional certificate with an appropriate subject or grade-level endorsement. World Language certificates are not acceptable for this program. Coursework emphasizes second language acquisition theory, linguistics, literacy development, and methods specific to bilingual and bicultural instruction. Along the way, you’ll explore how language functions historically, socially, and culturally, and learn to evaluate and use instructional materials that meet the needs of diverse learners.

Language Proficiency

Upon completing the coursework, you will demonstrate language proficiency through testing in both English and the target language. You must earn at least Intermediate High on the English Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and at least Advanced Low on the English Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), depending on your target language scores. Similarly, the OPI and WPT in your target language must meet or exceed Advanced Low, with adjustments based on your English proficiency results. Candidates who were primarily educated at the undergraduate or graduate level in the target language may be exempt from this requirement, pending transcript review. These tests confirm your readiness to teach bilingually and reflect the depth of preparation you’ve received through the program.