Foreign Language Education (K-12), Graduate Certificate

Foreign Language Education (K-12), Graduate Certificate
Online
16-17 Credit Hours
Admits: Fall, Spring & Summer
Apply Now
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Program Tabs

Program

Elevate your career by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Foreign Language Education (K-12), tailored specifically for aspiring educators in North Carolina. This program is designed for individuals holding an undergraduate degree who are eager to embark on a rewarding teaching journey, specializing in foreign languages. Dive into our comprehensive program that skillfully merges web-based instruction with invaluable, hands-on clinical experiences, setting you on the path to obtain the North Carolina Initial Standard Professional I (SP1) teaching license.

Why Choose Our Program?

  • Flexibility and Accessibility: Embrace the freedom of distance learning with our 100% online classes, allowing you to advance your education from anywhere in North Carolina. Our courses are self-paced to suit your lifestyle, complemented by virtual synchronous teaching labs for an immersive learning experience.
  • Broad Language Specializations: Catering to a wide array of interests, our program offers licensure in an extensive range of languages, including but not limited to:
    • American Sign Language, French, Spanish, German, Japanese
    • Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Cherokee, both Ancient and Modern Greek
    • Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Latin
    • Portuguese, Swahili, Turkish
  • Practical Experience: Gain firsthand teaching experience through a variety of clinical settings. Whether it’s in rural, urban, or suburban schools, you'll apply evidence-based practices, analyze student learning, and develop strategies to positively impact K-12 students.
  • Quick Completion: Finish your certificate in as little as three semesters, culminating in a 15-week student teaching experience after completing all coursework. Our streamlined program is designed to quickly transition you into your teaching career.
  • Career Advancement: Graduates are well-equipped for a spectrum of career opportunities in the field of Teaching Foreign Language Education, including positions as Elementary, Middle, or High School Foreign Language Teachers.

The UNC Charlotte Graduate Certificate in Foreign Language Education (K-12) At A Glance:

  • Program Duration: 16-17 hours
  • Mode of Delivery: 100% Online with face-to-face clinical experiences
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate degree holders aspiring to teach in North Carolina
  • Licensure: Eligibility for the North Carolina Initial Standard Professional I (SP1) license upon completion

Start Your Journey Today!

Join a community of motivated individuals dedicated to shaping the future through language education. Our program not only equips you with the necessary skills but also prepares you for a fulfilling career teaching the next generation.

Request More Information

Connect with an Enrollment Specialist today to learn more! Complete the For More Information box on this page or contact us using the links below.

Admissions

Application Deadlines: 

  • August 1 (fall)
  • December 1 (spring)
  • May 1 (summer first half term)
  • June 15 (summer second half term)

Admissions & Requirements: 

  • Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
  • A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 (If you do not have at least a 2.7 GPA, please see our GPA Forgiveness process).
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores if the applicant’s native language is not English.
  • A statement of purpose.
  • Two online professional recommendations coming from individuals in a supervisory capacity (i.e. principal or manager) and/or academic reference (i.e. professor).
  • A clear criminal background check, which will be requested after application submission. The cost of this will start at $18 and could take 2-4 weeks to be processed. Please note your application cannot move forward until this step is complete.
  • The online Graduate Certificate Program requires classroom observation hours to be completed in the state of North Carolina.

The Certificate is designed for those with a bachelor's degree and one of the following requirements:

  • Option 1:  Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree with a major in the intended language of instruction.
  • Option 2:  ​Demonstrate native or near-native speaker proficiency in the intended language of instruction via a passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessment or a minimum score of Advanced Low on the ACTFL OPI AND WPT (in the intended language of instruction).
  • Option 3:  Candidates who have the equivalent of a major in the intended language of instruction via completion of a minimum of 24 hours of post-secondary coursework in the intended language of instruction.  At least two of these courses must be at the 4000 (advanced) level and all must be conducted in the foreign language in which they are seeking licensure. Candidates choosing to pursue this admission route must contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) for advising. Contact TEAL at 704-687-8725.

Candidates pursuing a license in one of the following languages (i.e., Chinese, French, German, Spanish) are eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Foreign Language Education. Due to limited availability of internship sites, candidates seeking licensure in the less commonly taught languages (indicated with an asterisk) must be residency teachers and complete the internship in their own classroom.

Early Entry for UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Students:

  • If you have completed at least 75 undergraduate credit hours with an overall GPA of at least 3.2, you are eligible to apply to the Graduate Certificate in Foreign Language Education program. Upon entry, up to 12 hours at the graduate level may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. 
  • In addition to having completed 75 undergraduate credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.2, students must demonstrate native or near-native proficiency in the intended language of instruction by earning a score of Advanced Low on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). In addition, applicants need three recommendations from persons knowledgeable of their interaction with children or youth, a statement of purpose, and a clear criminal background check.
     
Courses

Methods I Block:

  • MDSK 6162: Planning for K-12 Instruction
  • MDSK 6162: Lab in Instructional Design*

Equity & Education:

  • MDSK 5204: Equity & Education

Methods II Block:

  • FLED 5200: Methods in K-12 Foreign Language Teaching
  • MDSK 5100L: Lab in Content Pedagogy*

Assessment Course:

  • FLED 5104: Assessment in K-12 Foreign Language Teaching

Customized Course:
In consult with their advisor, candidates must complete one of the following:

  • MDLG 5130: The Middle Grades Experience (2 credit hours)  
  • SECD 5140: The Secondary School Experience (2 credit hours)
  • Advanced Content Course (5000-6999) in the intended licensure area (3 credit hours)
    • At this time, all courses in the Grad Cert, with the exception of the advanced language course, are delivered 100% online. Candidates can take this advanced content course, but it is not required. This course may be offered online or face-to-face depending on the licensure area.  Face-to-face courses will not be eligible for the distance education rate of tuition. If a candidate is unable to find an online content course, they may have the option to take one through the UNC Language Exchange program and transfer it in. This option should be consulted with an advisor prior to enrolling.

Internship:
This internship course requires full-time public school placement with a licensed K-12 teacher (in the intended licensure area) or a full-time position as a Residency Teacher (in the intended licensure area) in an approved school. Prior to applying for the internship, teacher-candidates must demonstrate advanced foreign language skills by obtaining a minimum score of Advanced Low on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

  • FLED 6470: Graduate Student Teaching and Internship - Foreign Language Education

Clinical Experiences:
UNC Charlotte's Graduate Certificate in Teaching offers an efficient pathway to initial teacher licensure for candidates who have already earned a bachelor's degree and meets the  Educator Preparation Program (EPP) enrollment requirement for candidates seeking Residency Licensure. Each semester consists of a clinical component of 15-30 hours per semester in a North Carolina school.  Candidates then participate in student teaching, a 15-week experience where they take over the total course instruction load from their clinical instructor. Current public school teachers may complete this requirement in their own classrooms.  Resident teachers are able to use their own classroom and teaching as their clinical and student teaching site.

Tuition

*Rates are subject to change*

Resident:

  • $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • $536.98 per credit hour

Non Resident:

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour

Find more information regarding tuition and fees here ».