Certificate of Advanced Study Program
Program Code: CAS-ED
Major Code:ESOL

Exceptional Education Department
Awilda Ramos-Zagarrigo, Program Director
Ketchum Hall 204
General Information (voice mail): (716) 878-3038
exceptionaleducation.buffalostate.edu/

Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog.  Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.

Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states

The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is comprised of five required content courses (15 credit hours). Each course within the program requires 10 field/observation/practical hours for a total of 50 clock hours that are arranged by the instructor and offer candidates the opportunity to reflect upon the application of course work in school settings.  As an initial certificate, the program requires student teaching experience with English Language Learners (ELL). This may be achieved during employment in a school with a significant ELL population. The student teaching practicum is a total of 20 days divided between elementary and middle/secondary grades where ELLs are the focus of instruction. The CAS is designed to provide the skills necessary to effectively address the needs of non-native speakers of English in American educational settings. The program allows practicing teachers to broaden their understanding of language acquisition processes, pedagogical concerns, and English language content. After successfully completing the program, and completing all other state-mandated requirements candidates will receive a college recommendation for Initial Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops. https://teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/seminars-and-workshops

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA.  Applicants who have below a 3.0 GPA, but above a 2.5, will be subject to additional admission review; students are encouraged to check with the department.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Evidence of a completed undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or a nationally recognized institution of higher education in another country.
• Completion of a New York State teacher-education program leading to a college recommendation for Initial Certification in a core area such as: early childhood, childhood or secondary education.
• Evidence of a minimum of 12 credit hours at the higher education level in the study of one or more foreign languages (NB: This requirement can be fulfilled during the program of study for the CAS.  Foreign language requirements can impact financial aid.  It is vital to seek advisement from both the Financial Aid Office and you academic adviser every semester to ensure that you successfully accomplish the language requirements.)
• Evidence of English language proficiency for candidates whose native language is not English (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, local proficiency exam, or bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking university).

In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.

Program Requirements

50 hours of field experiences distributed in coursework followed by 20 days of student teaching in high need schools divided between elementary level (1-6) and secondary level (7-12).