The Program
The Graduate Certificate Program in Bilingual Special Education is a five-course sequence of courses (15 credits) designed to prepare current educators to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in the settings in which they work. The Certificate Program trains educational personnel who are currently working in schools to understand and respond to the needs of students who are:
- culturally and linguistically diverse,
- second language learners who also have special needs; and
- special education students whose diversity impacts
- school success.
Program Delivery
The certificate in bilingual special education may be completed in two ways: through classes offered at the Main Campus and off-campus, or through distance-learning classes offered online. Beginning in Summer 2006, one or more courses will be offered online each term.
Our online courses involve a blend of individual learning, small-group discussions, whole-class lectures and discussions, and multimedia experiences. Course content is provided primarily through our course Web site, with supplemental material available on DVD or CD-ROM for some courses.
Further information about distance education courses in the bilingual special education certificate program is available from the online program coordinator, Patricia Rice Doran (prdoran@gwu.edu).
Course Description
Coursework focuses on assessment and instruction culturally and linguistically diverse and/or exceptional students, strategies for inclusion and differentiating instruction, etiology of disabilities, and literacy and language development. Graduates of the certificate program will be able to:
- Appropriately instruct and assess culturally and linguistically diverse students;
- Address the language and literacy needs of culturally and linguistically diverse and/or exceptional students;
- Design services that match the learning styles and academic needs of students;
- Serve students in inclusive settings;
- Work collaboratively with professional teams and families of these students;
- Identify and respond to legislative mandates, as well as current issues and trends, that impact on service delivery to this unique population; and
- Provide administrative and supervisory leadership in the design and implementation of services for culturally and linguistically diverse and/or exceptional students.
Program Outcomes
The intended outcomes for the certificate program are:
- To increase the numbers of professionals in education and related fields who are able to address the full continuum of needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
- To build the capacity of state and local education agencies to meet the needs of increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
- To provide advanced training options for current educators and professionals in related fields to increase their credentials and professional development opportunities.
Applications and Admissions
Applications to the certificate program should include the following:
- Completed application form.
- Transcript that indicates at minimum completion of a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. Preference will be given to current teachers and other professionals working with culturally and linguistically diverse students in a school setting.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
- One letter of recommendation.
- Resume.
- Written statement of purpose and goals related to the field of bilingual special education.
- Interview with program faculty.
Credit Hours: 15 
