Certificate of Biliteracy

With only four courses, you could obtain a graduate certificate in biliteracy to invest in bilingual students’ academic achievement.

Program Features

A TWU student teacher and a young girl look over the student's paper.

  • Certificate with 12 credit hours

  • Courses count toward an MA in Multilingual and Multicultural Studies if the student would like to continue studying 

  • Hyflex courses meet six to eight times per semester with the option of attending on the TWU Denton campus or via Zoom

  • You do not need to be bilingual to take these courses since the focus is on understanding any student's biliteracy development regardless of their languages. Courses are offered in English.

  • TWU faculty could offer these courses at your school or district if there is enough interest.

Why it matters

  • The number of bilingual students in U.S. public schools grew 64% between 1995 and 2010
  • More schools are offering dual language, ESL and world language classes in grades Pre-K through 12
  • Texas has adopted the Seal of Biliteracy for high school diplomas

Courses

Four graduate courses in the M.A. in Multilingual and Multicultural Studies program are required for the certificate. Students may choose from the following:

  • READ 6923: Biliteracy and Multilingualism (Fall)
  • READ 5423 Literacy Practice to Theory (Biliteracy Section) (Fall)
  • *READ 5443 Literacy Assessment and Instruction (Biliteracy Section) (Fall)
  • *READ 5453 Processes & Strategies for Comprehending Texts-Biliteracy Section (Spring)
  • EDBE 5413: Teaching Reading and the Other Language Arts to Linguistically Diverse Learners (Spring)
  • *READ 5513 Literacy and the Diverse Learner-Biliteracy Section (Summer)

*The prerequisite for these courses is READ 5423.

Certificate Program Plan

Admission to the P.B. Certificate in Biliteracy

Program Contact

Alexandra Babino, Ph.D.
940-898-2447
ababion@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

No deadline - rolling

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in previous undergraduate and Graduate coursework.
  • Collect and submit the following document into the application.
    • Collect and submit the following documents to
    • Explain your interest in the Biliteracy Certificate
      • Describe 2-3 learning goals related to effective biliteracy teaching and learning
      • Describe your strengths as a teacher

How to Apply

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
    • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
      • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
    • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.

  2. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
    • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
    • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
    • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.

  3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

Contact

Ale Babino, PhD
Associate Professor
ababino@twu.edu 
940-898-2447

 

Page last updated 6:51 PM, November 14, 2023 

Literacy and Learning

MCL 9th Floor
PO Box 425769
Denton, TX 76204
(940) 898-2227 (Phone)
(940) 898-2224 (Fax)
litlearn@twu.edu