Graduate Programs

All courses for the Graduate ELL Licensure Program, the TELL Certificate Program, and the ELL strand of the L&L master’s degree are offered in an 8-week format only.

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 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 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 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 June 1, 2014, all licensure students are required to pass the Indiana CORE Assessment for Educators that applies to teaching English Learners. Information about this test can be obtained at: www.in.nesinc.com. Candidates will register for test code 019: English Learners.

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/NCATE Standards. Portfolio components will be compiled in alignment with each course completed for the program, also correlated with the TESOL/NCATE Standards.

Program Completion

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

• Completed all 5 courses
• Obtained a passing score on the Pearson content test for English Learners (#019)
• Uploaded all assessments to the English Language Learning Online Portfolio

Applicants with a Valid Indiana Teaching License

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.

*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program cost. The rate and fees above are effective for the 2019-2020 school year.

*Note: Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions may not be applied to this program.