World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate, Online

Middle and Secondary Education

Talk to an enrollment coach
404-413-4393
[email protected]

Contact the program coordinator
Paula Garret-Rucks
[email protected]

The Georgia State University online World Languages Teacher Graduate Certificate is essential to successful classroom teaching and student learning. Earning this online graduate certificate will not only improve your classroom practice but will also help you more effectively engage your students in learning activities that help your students develop proficiency in world languages.

This online certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) who are interested in being recommended for clear and renewable k-12 teaching certification by the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese or Korean).

Students in the Department of World Languages and Cultures may apply nine credits from their program (FORL 6128 and electives FORL 8125 and FORL 8126), leaving only 9-12 more credits needed to be recommended for a renewable certificate.

The curriculum integrates social justice and equity principles and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Students take specialized education and content courses throughout the program and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools committed to excellence in education.

This program also includes the option of pursuing a Dual Language Immersion endorsement online and on campus for individuals with an interest in teaching elementary school courses (typically math, science and social science) in the target language with additional coursework.

For individuals seeking a master's degree with teaching certification, the 30-credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program, available online and on campus, allows program graduates to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI or Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30-credit M.I.S. in World Languages Education. Thus, the M.I.S. leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

Program Highlights

The What and Why of My Program

Learn more about Ryan Armstrong’s reasons for studying the World Language program.

“I really appreciate the emphasis on social justice in the curriculum.”

About the Program Experience

Join Dr. Paula Garrett-Rucks, the program coordinator for Georgia State University’s World Languages Certification programs and learn the following:

The three GaPSC approved programs for World Languages (Certification only, Masters with certification-WLE MIS, Masters without certification, MIS Advanced Professional Studies)
The language requirement for application: OPI or GACE
The courses offered online; synchronous courses often 4:30-7 p.m.

Expand Your Career Options with a
World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate

Career Opportunities

As you expand your knowledge of teaching languages and develop new skills, you will open doors for advanced career opportunities, including:

World language teacher in private and community colleges and community organizations
Curriculum developer, specialist or evaluator
Researcher, teacher educator, trainer or program coordinator in governmental and nonprofit educational agencies and multinational corporations

Successful program graduates will be well prepared to work in public, charter and private schools and school systems in the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Graduate Placement

Graduate placements include:

Atlanta Public Schools
Cobb County School District
Decatur City Schools
DeKalb County School District
Fulton County Schools
Gwinnett County Schools
International schools

Program Details

When applying to the World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

Online application
Application fee of $50
Successful completion of Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) foreign language content exam or ACTFL OPI
Resume (upload with the application)
Goal statement (upload with application – statement should describe interest in teaching and background experiences in the target language use –study abroad, family connections, travel or favorite coursework)
Two letters of recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application); (a) an academic professional letter, (b) a letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience and background considering the potential to work successfully with students at the P-12 levels or (c) a letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable)
Official transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA required for admission
- submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302
To meet certification requirements in Georgia, you will also need to complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment prior to program admission. Visit the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment or information and how to register for the assessment.

View the World Languages Teacher Graduate Certificate Program Advising Check Sheets with the following documents included:

Certification only
Certification with master’s
Masters without certification

Degree requirements include:

MIS with Certification (30 semester hours)

Three credits in general education coursework
Nine credits in your teaching field/ major
Six to nine credits in field placement work
Nine credit hours of electives

MIS Advanced Professional Studies in Spanish or French

Nine credits in Professional Studies
Nine credits in your teaching field/major
Nine credits in electives

Coursework includes field experience in teaching diverse world language learners, developing and marketing second language teaching skills and approaches to language teaching, to name a few.

Visit the catalog for additional information and available concentrations.

The online World Languages Teacher Certificate provides initial teacher preparation in foreign language education for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree and who have an interest in teaching Spanish, German, French, Chinese or Korean in pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade settings. The course of study meets the requirements for professional certification at the initial level.