English Language Learners Certificate

Program Description

Fee $1200

Certificate ELL courses will build teachers’ knowledge and skills to increase the achievement of students who are learning English as a second language. Online examples are provided to help teachers of every subject and grade level provide appropriate instruction to facilitate listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills in the English language. Areas of focus include specific information and practice on methods of ESL; foundations of ESL; teaching of reading and writing; linguistics; and assessment for non-English proficient students.

Program Prerequisites and Requirements

Eligible participants must be graduate-level teachers (instructional specialists, administrators, or any other school staff member assigned teaching duties or with access to educational facilities and programs) with current access to classrooms and a school (from grades preK-12, any content area).
Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university – The degree must be verified on official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. International applicants: Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions must have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. This requirement does not apply to international applicants who received a degree from a US college or university.
English language competency – Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a bachelor’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 60 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 50 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 100 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
- A minimum score on the College Board Accuplacer ESL Exam Series as follows:
  - ESL Language Use: Score of 85
  - ESL Listening: Score of 80
  - ESL Reading: Score of 85
  - ESL Sentence Meaning: Score of 90
  - ESL Writeplacer: Score of 4
  - Comprehensive Score for all exams of 350
- A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam.
- A minimum B-2 English proficiency level identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards and assessed through various ESOL examinations, including the University of Cambridge.
Teaching position or access to classrooms – confirmation of classroom and connectivity attestation through either a signed form https://www.acacia.edu/required-classroom-and-connectivity-attestation.pdf or declared via the Classroom and Connectivity Access Attestation section in the website admission form.
- The Master of Arts in Elementary Education requires access to elementary classrooms.
- The Master of Arts in Secondary Education requires access to secondary classrooms.
- The Master of Education in Educational Administration requires a minimum of 2 years of prior successful teaching experience and access to classrooms.
- The Master of Education in Special Education requires access to Special Education classrooms for implementation of strategies and assignments.
- The Master of Education in English as a Second Language requires access to classrooms with ESL students.
Ongoing access to computer technology – All Acacia University courses are presented online so each applicant must have a computer and internet access to participate.

Program Prerequisites and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on original official transcripts sent by the undergraduate institution directly to Acacia University.
Master’s degree with a minimum 3.25 grade point average (GPA) from an accredited university. The degree must be verified on original official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University.
Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degrees from accredited universities. The degrees must be verified on official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. International applicants: applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions must have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. This requirement does not apply to international applicants who received a degree from a US college or university.
At least three years teaching or administrative experience in education.
Ongoing access to a K-12 school or educational institution.
Essay – A personal statement, not to exceed five hundred (500) words that discusses: your reasons for pursuing the Ed.D., your career goals, how the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership would help you meet career goals, and prior experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for this program.
Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not have a master’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 65 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language
- (TOEFL PBT), or 80 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 58 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 105 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE)
An online interview with the doctoral committee.

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) learners the ability to communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in all content areas such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies
Incorporate the four language domains (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) in their curriculum, instruction, and assessment focusing on each of the five language proficiency levels Stages I-V
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to create and maintain a positive learning environment that will support and increase ESL students’ academic and language achievement

Design and implement developmentally appropriate strategies that foster, nurture, and develop ESL skills in students that are within, and outside of, the normal range of child development
Design and implement strategies to meet the special education needs of ESL students

9 Credit Hours