Objectives

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate (CLDE) is a fully online certificate program for Montana teachers or 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 Limited English Proficient students and making learning accessible through language and cultural barriers.

Program Flow

The coursework leading to a CLDE certificate includes four 3-credit 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 coursework for the CLDE certificate will count towards the requirements for an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement in multiple states.

Program of Study

Course Number
Course Title
Course Credits

EDU 511

Summer Semester

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

EDU 512

Summer Semester

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

EDU 513

Fall Semester

Assessment of ELL   
3

EDU 514

Spring Semester

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

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. 
  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. Nick 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. Click here to access the online Graduate School application 

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. The Graduate School requires an undergraduate and graduate 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). 
  2. Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume - include the names and contact information of three (3) references.
  3. 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.

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

If an applicant is unable to submit all application materials via the online application system by the preferred dates listed above, he or she can submit the materials by the date listed below, as there will be a second review:

  • Fall Semester: July 15th

Contact Information

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

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