Lead English learners to language success

You can meet the diverse linguistic needs of Oregon’s rapidly changing K-12 student population by earning a Graduate Certificate in Dual Language Specialization or a Graduate Certificate in English for Speakers of Other Languages online from Oregon State University.

Designed primarily for people in Oregon with a valid K-12 teaching license, each of these online certificate programs gives time- and place-bound teachers access to graduate-level education while remaining in their current jobs.

As someone who is dedicated to social justice, you are well-suited to earn a certificate and use the knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives and communities of English learners. These programs are offered online by Oregon State’s College of Education.

DLS certificate

The dual language specialization program will enable you to teach a form of bilingual education in which Spanish speaking students who are not yet fluent in English learn alongside English-proficient peers, becoming bilingual and biliterate while also learning grade-level content. Read more details on the DLS curriculum page.

ESOL certificate

The ESOL program focuses on helping you learn how to effectively work with dual language students and those who are learning English as an additional language. Read more details on the ESOL curriculum page.

What’s the difference?

The primary difference between the two programs is that you must be fluent in Spanish, with upper level Spanish literacy skills, to enroll in the DLS program.

A note for out-of-state licensed teachers

If you have a teaching license outside of Oregon, you may take Oregon State's DLS or ESOL coursework online. However, the final course in the sequence (a practicum-based internship experience) must be completed in the state of Oregon.

In addition, you must have an Oregon teaching license to add the ESOL endorsement or dual language specialization. Teachers with restricted or emergency licenses are not eligible to add the ESOL endorsement or dual language specialization until a preliminary license is in place.

Benefits of learning online with Oregon State

• All classes are developed and taught by the same world-class OSU graduate faculty who teach on campus.
• You don’t have to pay the OSU Graduate School application fee or matriculation fees when applying for either of these certificates.
• Oregon State is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Oregon State Ecampus is consistently ranked among the nation’s 10 best providers of online education by U.S. News & World Report.
• OSU Ecampus students receive the same certificate and transcript as on-campus students.

NOTE: The U.S. Department of Education has approved these certificates for federal financial aid eligibility as part of a full degree program, but not as independent certificate programs. Alternate funding sources (e.g. loans, private funds) may be required to cover the costs associated with these programs.