Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners - Graduate Certificate

The Department of Languages and Linguistics offers a graduate certificate program in Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners. The certificate requires a student to complete 18 credit hours (a total of six courses) that could be completed in one year and to submit a portfolio. Four courses are mandatory core courses. The remaining two courses can be selected by the student from the list of approved courses. Upon completion of all six courses, students will be guided as they prepare and submit an online reflective portfolio. Students may choose to apply to our master’s program online or on campus and upon completion, all six courses can be used towards final degree completion in our MA program. This certificate program is open to applicants not currently enrolled as well as to current NMSU graduate students and to students who already hold a master's degree who can benefit from the certificate as an additional credential.

*Program does NOT lead to licensure. However, students are encouraged to inquire with their local districts to see if this can be added as an endorsement to their CV. Students can work in conjunction with our master’s degree to earn a graduate certificate at the same time.

Online Portfolio Submission

Detailed instructions for the online portfolio submission guidelines will be provided during advising in the department, but will include deliverable items such as lesson plans, projects, and other pedagogical items that have been completed as part of the courses in the certificate that the student can use in their planned careers with heritage learners.

The program requirements can be completed in one year, including Summer, but can also be completed in multiple years. The following sample Plan of Study is based on one-year completion and lists sample elective courses. Some of the elective courses are offered in alternating (even or odd) years.