Program Overview

Program Overview

The Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate Program at Rutgers University–Camden is a 15-credit program that prepares educators to teach English as a Second Language in New Jersey public schools. This program equips educators to support multilingual learners in a variety of educational settings.

Program Details

• Degree: Graduate Certificate
• Credits: 15 credits
• Format: Full-time or part-time, online
• 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.
• SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (56:300:571): This course focuses on the principles of second language learning and explores the major themes and theories in second language acquisition.
• DEVELOPMENTAL LITERACY FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (56:300:572): This course explores reading, writing, and language development in multilingual learners across grade levels.
• METHODS & THEORY OF TEACHING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (56:300:573): This course explores the historical foundations of Bilingual and ESL education and examines current research on effective pedagogical strategies for teaching Multilingual Learners.
• LANGUAGE & LITERACY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION (56:300:574): A study of modern American English which analyzes grammar, including phonetics, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the program, candidates must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate school with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Submit a personal statement (letter of interest/purpose).
• Include a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter if relevant work experience is applicable.
• Hold or be in the process of obtaining a New Jersey instructional certificate.

Application Deadlines

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

Program Outcomes

By the end of the program, educators will be prepared to:

• Assess and instruct multilingual learners with confidence, using research-based strategies across all domains of language.
• Evaluate and create effective teaching materials.
• Develop students’ literacy skills.
• Apply a deep understanding of how English functions in educational settings.
• Demonstrate readiness for the ESL endorsement by achieving a rating of “Advanced Low” or higher on both the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). Candidates who pass the Department-approved basic skills test are exempt from the WPT requirement.