Bilingual Education Certificate Extension Program (Spanish/English)

The Bilingual Education Certificate Extension program is a professional credential required of teachers and pupil personnel services (PPS) providers, such as school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists and attendance teachers, who work in bilingual classrooms or officially designated bilingual positions. Program candidates must have a New York State Initial Certificate or a New York State Professional Certificate and be able to demonstrate oral and written proficiency in both English and Spanish.

Monroe’s Bilingual Education Certificate Extension program was developed in response to the growing demand for qualified bilingual teachers and PPS providers at both the city and state level. Program graduates will:

• Explore the philosophical and practical groundwork for bilingual education
• Learn how to provide exceptional instruction that meets the linguistic and cultural needs of emergent bilingual learners, including those with special needs
• Become advocates for emergent bilingual children and their families within the school system
• Be prepared for the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA)
• Earn a New York State bilingual education certificate extension on an initial or professional license

Graduates will be qualified to provide specialized support to emergent bilingual children in bilingual or monolingual English classrooms in New York State public, private and charter schools and early childhood centers.

Advantages of the Monroe College Bilingual Education Certification Extension

• Increased employment opportunities:  The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) has prioritized expanding bilingual education at all grade levels, increasing the demand for qualified bilingual teachers and PPS providers. Carmen Fariña, NYC Department of Education Chancellor, has also emphasized the need for teachers trained in bilingual education.
• Improved teacher placement rate:  Bilingual teachers have a higher placement rate in jobs across New York State due to the growing population of emergent bilingual students and the expansion of bilingual education.
• Serving high needs communities:  Bilingual teachers help to close learning gaps for emergent bilingual students.  Learning in both English and their home language enables the students to capitalize on their bilingualism as they develop the English proficiency necessary for their success. 

Class Schedule 

Our 15-Credit Bilingual Education Certificate Extension is comprised of the following courses, which can be completed in as few as two semesters:

* For teachers with at least one year of paid, full-time bilingual teaching experience, this requirement may be waived given the recommendation of the employing school or district administrator.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall application deadline:  August 1
• Spring application deadline:  December 15
• Applicants must hold a New York State Initial or Professional License in a valid certification area
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate coursework
• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both English and Spanish. Proficiency in Spanish is demonstrated through on-site evaluation of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  International applicants for whom English is a second language may refer to Monroe College’s policy for admission  here.  Applicants who have passed the BEA may waive this requirement.
• Applicants must apply and submit all required supporting documentation for enrollment by the program deadline. Documents include:
  
  
• Transcripts from all colleges universities attended (this requirement is waived for Monroe College graduates)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Professional resume
• Photocopy of New York State teaching certification(s) or other state teaching certification(s)
• Personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing your interest in bilingual education and/or teaching emergent bilingual students (also known as “ELLs”) and how deepening your ability to working with bilingual students and/or in bilingual teaching environments relates to your personal and professional goals.
• An interview with the Program Head is required prior to acceptance.

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