Graduate Certificate in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education

Program Objectives

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) fully online graduate certificate program is for all of Montana’s teachers or students preparing to be teachers who are currently or will serve Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in mainstream pre-K-12 classrooms. This certificate program is designed to systematically provide educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to help their students master specific course material while improving their academic English literacy skills. Furthermore, this unique program will enhance the statewide efforts to meet federal requirements for serving LEP students and making learning accessible through language and cultural barriers.The CLDE certificate is an approved English as a Second Language (ESL) added endorsement pathway for teachers in the state of Montana as well as multiple other states

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Program Flow

The coursework leading to a CLDE certificate includes four 3-credit online graduate courses designed to prepare teachers in Montana to meet the needs of Limited English Proficient PK-12 students and in so doing meet the Montana constitutional mandate of Indian Education for All. The four courses can be completed in three semesters. 

Program of Study

EDU 511	Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students (Summer Semester)	3
EDU 512	Literacy Development for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students (Summer Semester)	3
EDU 513	Assessment of English Language Learners (Fall Semester)	3
EDU 514	Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (Spring Semester)	3
Total Certificate Credits 12

Program Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate enhanced instruction through adaptations of their materials to make their content comprehensible to English Language Learners (ELLs) in regular classroom settings.
• evaluate effective strategies for literacy instruction to secondary ELLs
• devise assessments that authentically assess English language learners (ELLs) using both formative and summative assessments that are tailored to the unique needs of ELLs.
• design instruction that considers how to make learning more appropriate, effective and meaningful for ELLs through the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, and performance styles of diverse students in general and English Language Learners (ELLs).

Program Options

Two options to complete the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Certificate are available: 

1. Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate
   Contact our team for information about the CLDE Certificate. This program is geared to teachers who want to obtain the English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement or teachers seeking Limited English Proficient for PK-12 students professional development. Visit the CLDE website.
2. Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Educator Option.  The Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education program offers an option to earn a Masters degree (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction after completion of all CLDE coursework. The Masters portion involves completion of 18 additional credits past the 12 required by the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education certificate program, and these courses are also offered online.  Contact Dr. Nicholas Lux, Curriculum and Instruction Program Leader for additional information or visit the Curriculum & Instruction website.

A student may apply to the full M.Ed. program at any time during or after their certificate program; however, all courses for both must be completed within 6 years. Students who choose this option may be enrolled in two programs simultaneously: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate and Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction.

Application Process

The minimum requirement for admission to the certificate program is a bachelor's degree in education. Please remember that this certification program/endorsement must be added to an existing teaching certificate.

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae – This document must also include the names of three references.
3. Transcripts from all universities attended, with degrees posted:
   • All applicants must provide official transcripts verifying all Bachelor's and Master's degree coursework and degrees earned from the applicant's certifying university. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process and used for review. 
   • Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application and upload unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts are not required.
   • If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended. Official electronic transcripts may be emailed directly from the Institution to gradschool@montana.edu or edgrad@montana.edu  Official transcripts may also be mailed directly to the MSU Graduate School, 104 Montana Hall, PO Box 172580, Bozeman, MT 59717.
   • The Graduate School requires an undergraduate and graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit. 
4. Personal Statement - please address the following:
   • Brief background statement which includes time in education, development and growth as a teacher, including  English (EL) and multilingual learner (ML) student experiences.
   • Goal for completing the CLDE Certificate - Describe your career goals for the future and how you see the completion of the certificate as helping you achieve your goals.

Additional information may be requested by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of the application.