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Penn State Harrisburg
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  1. Home
  2. School of Behavioral Sciences and Education
  3. Teacher Education
  4. English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist (Certification)

Program Requirements for Admission

Admission for K-12 educators is on a rolling basis and follows the Penn State non-degree graduate student admission guidelines.

To be certified to PDE for the ESL Program Specialist Certificate, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • Successfully complete the 4 ESL courses (EDUC 466, 467, 468, and 469) with a grade of C or above.
  • Possess a valid Pennsylvania Level I or 2 Instructional Certificate.

For students interested in receiving ACT 48 credit, please consult the Registrar’s Office at Penn State University, University Park.

How to Enroll

  • To enroll, complete the Graduate School online application.
  • Follow the instructions to log in.
  • For Enrollment Type, select "Nondegree Admission." (Certification or Endorsement programs do not award a degree)
  • For Campus, choose "Harrisburg."
  • Select the appropriate semester of enrollment.
  • Save and continue to add your information and submit the application.

Note: Existing Teaching and Curriculum master’s program students and undergraduate students are not required to complete a separate Penn State application for the ESL Program Specialist certification program.

If you experience difficulty using our online application, please contact Academic Program Coordinator.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist (Certification)

  • Curriculum
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  • Program Requirements for Admission
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How to Apply
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Teacher Education Programs

Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
English (B.Hum.)
Mathematical Sciences (B.S.)
Secondary Education Social Studies (B.Sosc.)
Teaching and Curriculum (M.Ed.)
Instructional Coach (Endorsement)
Mathematics Coach (Endorsement)
Reading Specialist (Certification)
Secondary Education: English (Certification)
Secondary Education: General Science (Certification)
Secondary Education: Mathematics (Certification)
Secondary Education: Social Studies (Certification)
PK-12 Special Education (Certification)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist (Certification)
Elementary Education (PK-4) (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): English (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): Mathematics (Certification)
Elementary Education (4-8): Social Studies (Certification)
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
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777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 717-948-6000

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