Objectives

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) 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.

Program Learning Outcomes
1 Students will demonstrate enhanced instruction through adaptations of their materials to make their content comprehensible to English Language Learners (ELLs) in regular classroom settings.
2 Students will evaluate effective strategies for literacy instruction to secondary ELLs
3 Students will devise assessments that authentically assess English language learners (ELLs) using both formative and summative assessments that are tailored to the unique needs of ELLs.
4 Students will 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 Flow

Students must first apply to the MSU Graduate School http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/admissions/apply.html. Current graduate students are able to add CLDE courses to their class schedule and complete the certificate in addition to core coursework. Please consider admission application deadlines with the Graduate School.

Coursework for the CLDE Certificate:

The coursework leading to a CLDE certificate includes four 3-credit graduate courses designed to prepare teachers (and pre-service teachers) in Montana to meet the needs of LEP PK-12 students and in so doing meet the constitutional mandate of Indian Education for All. The coursework for the CLDE certificate will count towards the requirements for an ESL endorsement in multiple states should the completers choose to pursue this endorsement. The four graduate courses are described below in the Program of Study in the order they will be offered in the CLDE.

Fall

  1. EDU 511:  ESL: Teaching language development of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students
  2. EDU 512: Literacy Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students

Spring

  1. EDU 513: Assessment of ELLs
  2. EDU 514: A Model for Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Practice 

Program of Study

Course Number
Course Title
Course Credits
EDU 511

ESL: Teaching language development of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students
3
EDU 512

Literacy Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students
3
EDU 513

Assessment of ELLs
3
EDU 514

A Model for Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Practice
3
Total Credits
12

How to Apply

The minimum requirement for admission to the certificate program is a bachelor's degree in education. In the personal statement candidates should describe their qualifications, previous educational experience and goals.

Complete the Graduate School application available online at the Graduate School website.

Applicants are to submit the following documentation during the application process:

  1. Official Transcripts from each university attended. Transcripts must verify all bachelor's and master's degree coursework. Applicants who are alumni of MSU-Bozeman do not need to submit official transcripts, however they should upload unofficial transcripts during the application process
  2. Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume - include three (3) references.
  3. Personal Statement - please address the following:
    • Brief background (time in education, teaching, EL/ML student experiences)
    • Goal for completing the Certificate - What are the applicant's goals?

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

Application Deadlines

The CLDE application deadlines are:

  • Fall Semester:  April 1st
  • Spring Semester:  November 1st   
  • Summer Semester:  April 1st

CLDE Faculty

Dr. Rebecca Turk, Director of the Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education; CLDE Certificate Program Leader

Email: Rebecca.turk@montana.edu

Phone: 406-994-4537

Contact Information

Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Education, Montana State University
PO Box 172880,  Reid Hall 215
Bozeman, MT 59717-2880
406-994-6786  Email: edgrad@montana.edu