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Online

English Language Learning

Licensure Only (Non-degree)

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OVERVIEW

Get the Skills You Need Now

Amplify the effectiveness of your teaching with the online English Language Learners Licensure Program from Purdue University. It’s a fast-paced way for you to broaden your professional skillset and gives you confidence to meet your students’ needs.

The English Language Learner Licensure Graduate Program provides teachers with the professional preparation to assist English language learners in developing their English language and academic skills in K through grade 12. This program provides a path for certified Indiana educators who wish to earn the add-on license in English Language Learning (ELL).

Online students enjoy the same rigorous academic programs as on-campus students, but with a much more flexible class schedule. Assignments, discussions, and other coursework are posted each week in the virtual classroom.

The English Language Learners Licensure Program consists of five 3-credit hour courses. This can be completed in a year for students staying on track and with acceptable grades.

Purdue University believes in stackable credentials. The ELL Program provides a pathway to the Dual Language Bilingual Education Graduate Certificate with just two additional classes or the MS in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in English Language Learning. Once you complete the licensure program only 18 credit hours are needed to complete the masters.

The ELL Graduate Licensure Program uses an online delivery format of five courses. Each course that is offered during the academic year is 8 weeks long; this means that two courses are offered consecutively each semester. Additionally, one course is offered during the summer. Each course requires students to complete field experiences in a K-12 classroom that enrolls English Language Learners. Course substitutions are not permitted.

There is a three-year time limit for completion of the ELL Graduate Licensure Program. This three-year time limit begins with the semester when the first required course is taken. Program completion includes: (a) completion of all course work with a passing grade, (b) completion fulfillment of the e-portfolio requirement for the program, and (c) completion of the state’s content specialty test. A student who receives a grade of “D” or “F” in a licensure course may retake the course one time only; this does not change the 3-year time limit for completion of all licensure requirements. The P/NP option is not available.

The ELL license issued through Purdue University constitutes an addition to an existing instructional license; not a stand-alone teaching license. In order to be eligible for ELL licensure through Purdue University, applicants must possess a valid instructional license issued by the State of Indiana. Non-Indiana applicants are not guaranteed licensure in Indiana or any other state. State licensing rules and standards are always subject to change and as such, Purdue University is unable to safeguard that the ELL program will satisfy non-Indiana teacher licensing standards and rules.

To be as proactive as possible, all ELL licensure-seeking students require a transcript evaluation and credential review from the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure to verify possession of an official instructional license. Upon review, any applicant who does not hold a valid Indiana elementary, exceptional needs, or secondary instructional license will be required to submit written confirmation, on letterhead, from their state education agency verifying that completion of Purdue’s ELL Graduate Licensure Program will satisfy the student’s individual non-Indiana license configuration within the three-year timeline of the program.

This verification must be received by the end of the semester during which the student’s course work for the ELL Graduate Licensure Program is completed. If confirmation is not received, Purdue University will be unable to verify completion of the program for licensing purposes to any state-based educational agency, school district, or hiring agent. In the absence of a license, the student’s participation in the ELL program is solely defined as professional development and will not constitute teacher licensure.

15
Credit Program
8
Week Course Length
1
Year to Completion
$580
Cost per Credit Hour (Indiana Resident)
$600
Cost Per Credit Hour (Non-Indiana Resident)

Courses

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Courses

Students spend an average of 15 hours a week on homework. 

The program uses an online delivery format of five courses. Each course is 8 weeks long; this means that two courses are offered consecutively each semester. The last course is a 4 week practicum during the summer session. Each course also requires students to complete field experiences in a K-12 classroom that enrolls English Language Learners.

15 Credit Hours of Coursework

EDCI 55900 – Academic Language and Content Area Learning
(Spring course, 1st 8 weeks)
This course focuses on the linguistic challenges faced by English language learners in the content areas of science, language arts, mathematics, and the social studies. The course links these challenges to English language instruction and subject-matter instruction in English for ELLs who are in mainstream classrooms. The course emphasizes assessment tools designed to assess content knowledge and links these to issues of language development. This course requires field experiences in schools.

EDCI 51900 – Teaching English Language Learners
(Spring course, 2nd 8 weeks)
This course addresses second language instruction and subject-matter instruction in English for ELL students who are in mainstream classrooms. The purpose of this course is to provide students with information necessary to the design of materials and instructional strategies for English language learners P-12. The course considers the nature of immigrants’ experiences of a new country and school context, focuses on the current issues and techniques in instruction for students who are at the beginning or intermediate stages of English language acquisition in the school context. This course requires field experiences in schools.

EDCI 55700 – Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
(Summer course, 4 weeks)
This 4-week online summer course will provide a critical review of research and practice in language proficiency and content-area assessment of English Language Learners (ELLs) and other culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in K-12 education. We will explore the sociocultural dimensions of standardized testing, academic achievement, and accountability. Students will conduct critical analyses of standardized testing instruments and learn to develop alternative classroom-based language, literacy, and content-area assessments appropriate for ELL and CLD students.

EDCI 53000 – English Language Development
(Fall course, 1st 8 weeks)
This course focuses on knowledge about how second languages are learned and on the educational basis for second language teaching and learning. The course links English language development to teaching and learning strategies. In addition to a case study and final report, students will collaborate in small groups to create online multimedia poster presentations that summarize key points and issues. This course requires field experiences in schools.

EDCI 52600 – Language Study for Educators
(Fall course, 2nd 8 weeks)
Students will gain information about central concepts from descriptive and applied linguistics, applying these to analyze language and interaction between teachers and ELs for effective teaching. The major assignments for the course are two classroom observations and the planning, teaching, and evaluation of two lessons conducted with small groups of ELs. This course requires field experiences in schools.

Participation in a Professional Conference

In addition to successful completion of the above courses, candidates are also required to attend and to participate in a state, national, or international conference on English Language Learning (e.g., TESOL, NABE, AAAL, INTESOL, IN K-12 ESL) during enrollment in the program. Candidates will write a reflection on their participation. Participation includes (a) giving a professional presentation (paper presentation, colloquium, poster, demonstration, or round table discussion); and (b) volunteering to work on a conference committee or to moderate or chair a session.

Content Specialty Exam

Beginning September 1, 2021, all licensure students are required to pass the Praxis exam (5362) English to Speakers of Other Languages prior to adding this content area to their Indiana instructional license. Information about this test can be obtained at Indiana Required Test.

Online Portfolio

At the end of the licensure program, candidates will complete an online portfolio. Portfolio sections correspond to Purdue’s ELL Licensure Program Teacher Outcomes and Standards. Products to be included in each section will be developed throughout the program, in each course. Candidates will also include their reflection on participation in a professional conference as part of the portfolio. Portfolio components will be assessed by means of rubrics that correlate with the TESOL/CAEP Standards. Portfolio components will be compiled in alignment with each course completed for the program, also correlated with the TESOL/CAEP Standards.

Program Completion

To complete the ELL Licensure Program and obtain your ELL license, make sure that you have:

  • Completed all 5 courses
  • Uploaded 7 key assessments at the end of each course to Watermark (hosted within your Brightspace section).
    • EDCI 530: Key assessment 7 (ELL Case study)
    • EDCI 526: Key assessment 3 & 8 (Visual and Verbal Analysis; ESL
      Conference reflection)
    • EDCI 559: Key assessment 4 and 6 (Instruction-Assessment Project;
      Multiliteracies Project)
    • EDCI 519: Key assessment 5: Materials Design Project
    • EDCI 557: Key assessment 2: Teacher made assessment
  • Passed the Praxis exam (5362) English to Speakers of Other Languages

Careers

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Career Outlook

English as a Second Language (ESL) educators are some of the most in demand teachers.  The demand for ESL teachers will only increase as more students from non-English-speaking homes enter school.

The Purdue ELL Program strives to create a learning environment that is academically challenging for students at all levels. Because of the special needs of their students, ELL teachers may meet more frequently with parents and administrative teams to measure student progress and achievement as part of each student’s individual education plan.

Job Titles
  • ELL Specialist
  • Director of ELL
  • Teacher
  • Tutor
  • Adult Education Teacher
  • Curriculum Coordinator

Admissions

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Admissions

The program admits new students in fall only.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by faculty.

Application Deadline: March 15

Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) Request Deadline: March 1

For more information, view the Application Roadmap.

Please see our webpage on Graduate Application Helpful Tips. If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transcript Evaluation and Credential Review (TECR) Steps:

  1. Carefully read the Application Roadmap to learn more about how to submit your TECR request.
    • In the Area of Interest, select the following:  Teachers of English Learners Addition – to an existing Indiana Instructional License (P-12)
  2. There is a $35.00 TECR fee for this program, and processing takes about two weeks for your TECR letter to be uploaded with your graduate application and emailed to you.
  3. If you do not have a license in the state of Indiana, please contact the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the TECR and graduate application.

Graduate Application Steps

  1. Create an application account and log in to start your graduate application.
  2. Select the following options for the non-degree English Language Licensure (ELL) program:
    • Campus and Program Tab:
      • Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
      • Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
    • First Choice Program Details Tab:
      • Please select an Area of Interest: English Language Learning
      • Please select a degree objective: Teacher License
      • Primary Course Delivery: Distance
  3. Some sections of the application that are NOT required include the following:
    • Test Scores
    • In the Additional Information section, faculty selections are not required. Faculty advisors are assigned by the program.
  4. Upload the required materials, listed below. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about these requirements.
    • Personal History Statement
    • Academic Statement of Purpose
  5. International applicants who are eligible for an Indiana licensure program must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars. For information about Indiana licensure program requirements, international applicants may visit the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure webpage.
  6. Follow the instructions in the Application Roadmap for submitting your official transcripts.
  7. Submit your graduate application. Please note that the application fee will be waived if you have selected “Teacher License” as the degree objective.
  8. Check the status of your submitted application by logging into the application portal. 
  9. Once your application is complete, you will receive an email from edgrad@purdue.edu indicating that your application is complete and will be submitted for review.
This program is subject to our Licensure Disclosure

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to publicly disclose to prospective and currently enrolled students whether certain programs meet the education requirements for licensure or certification in the state or territory in which they reside. “Programs Leading to Professional Licensure” is defined as programs represented to prepare students for an occupation for which, at completion of the program, a local, state or federal license, or nongovernmental certification is required (i) as a precondition for employment, (ii) to perform certain functions, or (iii) to meet additional conditions that are generally needed to secure employment.

The Purdue University Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the State of Indiana. However, not all undergraduate and graduate programs lead to an educator licensure in the State of Indiana. If your Teacher Education program includes field experience(s) and a student teaching or internship component, it may lead to an educator license in the State of Indiana, if you meet the licensure requirements. Contact your academic/faculty advisor and/or the Office of Teacher and Licensure to verify your program enrollment and whether or not it leads to a license in the State of Indiana.

The State of Indiana has reciprocity agreements with other states, the District of Columbia, and territories. For licensing information contact information for individual state departments of education or visit the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) or email a Purdue University licensing officer/advisor.

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Cost

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Program Costs

Credit Hours & CostsIn-StateOut-of-State
Total Cost Per Credit$580$600
Credit Hours1515
Total Costs$8,700$9,000
Additional Information

*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase.  Annual increases may change the total program costs.
*Note: Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions may not be applied to this program.
*Books are included in the costs of the program.
*International fee may be applicable

**The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

Licensure

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Licensure Information

This program leads to an addition to an existing Indiana Instructional license. Applicants must possess a valid Indiana Instructional license for program admission. Non-Indiana applicants are not guaranteed licensure in Indiana or any other state. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) before continuing with the program application if you have questions about licensure..

testimonial

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I turned in my final project, interviewed for a position in my field within my corporation, and was hired two days later. I felt extremely prepared for my new role because of the skills learned.

ANDREA BOYLE

Franklin Township Community School Corporation

program FACULTY

Learn From the Experts

Our faculty are nationally recognized and have the ability to work personally with students to individualize their plan of study to meet personal career interests and goals. These faculty will oversee the intensive coursework required.

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Virak Chan

Clinical Associate Professor

Trish Morita-Mullaney

Professor

Brenda Sarmiento-Quezada

Assistant Professor

Ofelia Castro Schepers

Assistant Professor

Wayne E. Wright

Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Programs and Faculty Development & Professor and Barbara I. Cook Chair of Literacy and Language

Frequently asked questions

No, Students should select one path that best fits their goals. If you do not have an instructional license, the Teaching English Language Learning Graduate Certificate is the best path for you. 

15 credit hours

8 weeks

Plan on devoting 10–15 hours a week on coursework, depending on the course requirements that week and your study habits.

Participants must have a teaching license to participate in the ELL Licensure Program.  This is an add on license.  If you do not have an instructional license the Teaching English Language Learning Graduate Certificate is the best path for you. 

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