Bilingual & Dual Language Education Endorsement and Graduate Certificate FAQs

For admission requisite and process, please contact your school district ESL and Dual Language coordinator. You may submit request for information to dual-language@umass.edu 

Read Non-Degree Enrollment Information for University Without Walls classes

Rolling admissions, 1-2 weeks for response, can take up to 2 classes before applying

Official preferred, at least for most recent degrees.  We can be flexible if you’ve been out of school for a number of years or completed your degree abroad.

Enroll by add/drop date but preferably before courses start for the semester.

Instructions for Spire.

How do I enroll if I took a semester off?

Contact regoff@oe.umass.edu or call 413-545-3653 to reactivate account

The only course that must be taken in person is the EDUC 698AP Field Experience course, which includes a 75-hour supervised field experience.

If you are a PK-12 teacher in Massachusetts, working in a bilingual or dual language program and instructing in a language different from English, also known as partner language, you must have a Bilingual Education Endorsement (see the DESE Bilingual Education Endorsement page). If you complete the Endorsement you will also, automatically, qualify for the Graduate Certificate. If you are a PK-12 teacher in Massachusetts, working in a bilingual or dual language program and instructing in English, you can apply for the Graduate Certificate only.

The endorsement is a teaching credential that further specialize teachers in a specific field and grade level. Teachers can apply to the Massachusetts Bilingual Education Endorsement after they obtain their initial license (e.g., early childhood education license, elementary education license, etc.). 

No, but you can work on the courses required for both your license and your endorsement at the same time.

Is either the endorsement or certificate a licensure program?

No. This program does not lead to an initial license. Students who complete the Endorsement track are also eligible for the Graduate Certificate but not vice versa. An initial Massachusetts license is a prerequisite for the Endorsement. 

Can I transfer credits?

Yes, after you complete the requirements for the Bilingual and Dual Language Education Endorsement or Graduate Certificate, you may apply to and enroll in the graduate programs in the Language, Literacy, & Culture (LLC) Concentration. You will be able to apply all 15 credits to that program of study. Credits can be transferred directly into the Bilingual, ESL, & Multicultural Education M.Ed. and to the Reading & Writing M.Ed. For more information about these programs, contact dual-language@umass.edu 

Can I use financial aid for the program?

Financial aid is not accepted for online courses.

How much does it cost?

Tuition and fee differs according to the specific memorandum of understanding established between UMass and your school district.

When are the class times?

The course schedule is announced every semester and is available in SPIRE. Courses are designed with full-time teachers and educators in mind, but this is an academically demanding, graduate-level certificate.Courses are always offered in the afternoon during either the 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm time slot and the 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm time slot.

Is there a time limit for completing the Certificate?

No time limit, only applies to degree programs. We recommend not stretching it out over more than a few years. Can be completed in 12 months 18 months.

How do I get my Certificate?

Once you have registered for your fifth and final course, be sure to complete and return the Certificate Eligibility Form to dual-language@umass.edu. 

Forms are due by the following dates for each degree conferral period:

• September Conferral: August 12
• February Conferral: November 26
• May Conferral: March 20

When completing your Certificate Eligibility Form, be sure to

• Use your UMass email address on the form
• Check your mailing address and name on SPIRE (This information will be used for your certificate.) 
• Mark your degree conferral period based on the date following your final class
  • Students completing their final class in the fall semester should mark February conferral 
  • Students completing their final class in the spring semester should mark May conferral 
  • Students completing their final class in the summer semester should mark September conferral 

• Use "Teacher Education & Curriculum Studies” for "Department" even if you belong to another department on campus
• Use "Bilingual and Dual Language Education Graduate Certificate" for "Certificate Program"
• Leave the final grade blank for any courses still in progress - the Graduate School will fill this information in