Certificate Programs

On the master's level, the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures offers a track in combination with TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), in cooperation with the Department of Linguistics. We also offer an Accelerated Certification Track in cooperation with the school of education towards earning the Pennsylvania Instructional Certificate 1.

Combination TESOL Degree

The combination TESOL degree typically can be completed in two calendar years and requires 24 credits in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures plus additional work in the cooperating department. The German portion must be approved by the director of Graduate Studies.

Accelerate Certification Track (ACT)

The Accelerated Certification Track is a way for qualified candidates seeking the MA in German to begin graduate course work leading to a Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate in the teaching of German. Undergraduate pre-requisites for this program are: 1) 30 credits of undergraduate course work in German, 2) three credits of English or American literature, 3) three credits of English composition, and 4) six credits mathematics. Additionally, applicants are required to have at least a 3.30 QPA for their undergraduate work, present passing scores from Praxis I (reading, writing, and mathematics), and submit an official ACTFL oral proficiency rating of at least advanced-low.

Application to ACT

Candidates identify in their application material to the German department their desire to pursue the Accelerated Certification Track. Applicants should include a well-written goal statement describing a) why they are interested in teaching and b) any past experiences that support teaching as a career.

After application materials have been received by the German Department, they will be carefully reviewed for the following pre-requisites to admission

a) PA Chapter 354 undergraduate course work requirements (3 credits of American OR British literature, 3 credits of English composition, and 6 credits of mathematics)

b) NINE credits of basic areas of education (Psychology of Learning, Sociology of Schooling, and Introduction to Foreign Language Education).

c) ACTFL oral proficiency interview rating of at least an Advanced-Low

d) Overall undergraduate QPA of 3.30

e) Praxis I scores for reading, math, and writing

Pre-admission communication with the candidate

The ACT candidate will be informed in writing of their eligibility to begin course work toward instructional I certification. This communication will outline what pre-requisite work is lacking and, if possible, how these pre-requisites may be fulfilled during the summer before entering the MA program in German. Those candidates who are able to prepare for the program during the summer will be cleared to begin ACT upon admission into the German MA program.

While enrolled in the MA program

While enrolled in the MA program, ACT students will use their 12-credits of electives to take a concentration in foreign language education course required by the University of Pittsburgh and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for certification. The courses in this concentration are:

Techniques and Procedures of FL Teaching (fall I)

Issues in Foreign Language Education (spring I)

Foreign Language in the Elementary School (fall II)

Principles and Practices of Foreign Language Testing and Assessment (fall II)

The Teaching German Course, taken by all new TAs in the German Department, is used as a replacement for the FL Teaching Laboratory class, required in the certification program.

Application to the School of Education

By February 1 of the last semester of the German MA program, students will make formal application to the School of Education for September of the same year of graduation and conferral of the MA degree. Formal acceptance into the School of Education is required in order to continue with the ACT program.

Post-MA: While in the School of Education

After receiving the MA degree, ACT students will be eligible to complete certification requirements in one semester rather than two. During the fall term following graduation, candidates for the certificate will:

1) Participate in student teaching (9 credits),

2) Enroll in the student teaching seminar,

3) Enroll Technology in Foreign Language Education (3 credits), and

4) Take the Praxis II examination.

The student covers all fees associated with pre-requisite courses, application to SOE, testing, and fall semester course work in the School of Education.