Teaching Spanish to Heritage/Bilingual Learners Certificate
Vision Statement
A graduate certificate in teaching Spanish to heritage/bilingual learners will provide students with the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate after completion of 18 credit hours. Courses will focus on the study of sociolinguistic and pedagogical (theory and practice) subjects relevant to the intricacies and challenges of teaching Spanish to bilingual learners (children who are bilingual) and heritage learners (bilingual adults).
Program Contact Information
Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
402.554.4841
ctocaimazahatch@unomaha.edu
Program Website
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Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer, 2025, and Fall 2025)
Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of June 30 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission, and April 15 for summer admission
Other Requirements
- Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0
-
English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
- Internet-based TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.5, PTE: 68, Duolingo: 130
- Statement of Purpose: A personal statement (700-900 words, double space), written Spanish. Some topics you might want to consider:
- Interests and qualifications for graduate study;
- Description of yourself and your intellectual development;
- Strengths and weaknesses, and how you overcame them or challenges to overcoming them;
- Reasons why you want to join this program;
- Possible areas of research or deeper study;
- What you want to do after completion of the certificate.
- Applicants must have at least advanced-low proficiency in Spanish.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| WLL 8050 | THEORY AND METHODS IN THE TEACHING OF HERITAGE LANGUAGES | 3 |
| WLL 8060 | APPROACHES AND METHODS IN LANGUAGE TEACHING | 3 |
| WLL 8900 | DIRECTED READINGS | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| HISPANIC BILINGUALISM | ||
| HISPANIC SOCIOLINGUISTICS | ||
| SPANISH IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| LANGUAGE ENHANCEMENT THROUGH VOCABULARY LEARNING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC LINGUISTICS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURES | ||
| THE STRUCTURE OF SPANISH | ||
| SEMINAR:FL/TESOL RESEARCH | ||
| SEMINAR: SECOND AND BILINGUAL LANGUAGE ACQUISITION THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR: ASSESSMENT & CURRICULUM DESIGN | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Students must complete all required coursework with a grade of B or better.