Non-Traditional Post-Bachelor's Routes to Initial Certification

Online Application

Complete the online application for admission to the Post BA World Language Teacher Certification program.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a statement of purpose that describes your professional and educational experience in relation to your desire to pursue Chinese or Spanish language teacher certification and how the program relates to your career interests/plans. This statement is used to determine if the applicant’s goals are consistent with those of the program and to assess the clarity and coherence of the applicant’s writing. Statements should not exceed 500 words in length. Please submit this to postbawltcp@msu.edu or as part of your online application.

Professional Resume

A professional resume is required. Please include detailed professional and/or paraprofessional experience you have and highlight teaching experience. Submit this to postbawltcp@msu.edu.

Writing Sample

Once the WLTCP has received your application, you can choose to submit either an essay, in response to an essay question or prompt, or a writing sample. A writing sample could include a course paper, essay, publication or any other academic paper. If you would like a prompt for an essay, please let us know at postbawltcp@msu.edu and a prompt or essay question will be provided to you.  Please submit writing samples to postbawltcp@msu.edu.

Official Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (official transcripts must be received in an unopened, sealed envelope sent directly from the issuing institution). You must submit two copies of all transcripts from universities outside the U.S.  If the original language of the document is not English, please submit two copies in the original language and two in English. We also require two copies of official graduate certificates from universities outside the U.S. in all languages.  Please submit documents to:

Post BA World Language Teacher Certification Program @ Michigan State University, 620 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824

If your institution wishes to submit documents electronically, please contact us at postbawltcp@msu.edu to review this option before proceeding. 

Admission will be considered on an individual basis if candidates have baccalaureate degrees with cumulative GPAs between 2.50 and 2.75.  If you are in this situation, please contact us at postbawltcp@msu.edu. 

Letters of Recommendation

Submit three letters of recommendation that attest to the candidate’s potential as a teacher of Chinese or Spanish. Appropriate people to provide letters of recommendation include, but are not limited to, professors, employers, administrators, and fellow teachers. Letters from friends, parents and personal acquaintances are not acceptable. Letters must be emailed to postbawltcp@msu.edu by the author of the recommendation letter or mailed with a handwritten signature.

Language Proficiency

All applicants are required to take the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) in Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish.

ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc): All applicants are required to score in the “Intermediate-High” range or above on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview.

ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT): All applicants are required to demonstrate their Chinese or Spanish language writing proficiency at an “Intermediate-High” level or above.  If WPT scores are at an Intermediate-Low/Mid level, remediation options may be available to allow students to increase their writing proficiency while progressing in the program. All candidates must be at an Intermediate-High level before they progress into their residency teaching position.

Taking the tests:

Tests are offered online.  Please visit the testing websites for instructions on creating your account, completing the tests and having your official results delivered to Post BA WLTCP.

English Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate oral proficiency in English per university requirements. Non-native speakers of English will be required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), MSU English Language Test (MSUELT), or Duolingo English Test scores. Native speakers of English with degrees from U.S. institutions are exempt from this test requirement for the Post BA WLTCP program. The Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) Program will also require English language proficiency test scores that meet MATC application requirements for applicants whose first language is not English.

Requirements:

• TOEFL: iBT. An average score of 80 or above with no sub-score below 19 and a score of 22 or above on the writing component is required. Test scores from up to 24 months prior to admission can be submitted. Only the iBT will be accepted (TOEFL scores must be sent ELECTRONICALLY to the MSU Office of Admissions using code 1465).
• IELTS: Minimum average score of 6.5. No subscore below 6.0. Test scores from up to 24 months prior to admission can be submitted.
• MSUELT: Average score of 80 to 85 with no subscore below 80, OR average score of at least 85 with no subscore below 78.
• Duolingo English Test: A score of 110 or above for this test is required. There are no specific requirements for subscores. You can access information about the test at this website: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/  Please request to have the scores sent to Michigan State University.

Applicants that are non-native English speakers who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S. university may be exempt from passing an English proficiency test.  Please reach out to us at postbawltcp@msu.edu to review this possibility if you think you may be eligible for an exemption. Official scores need to be sent directly to Michigan State University.  If you have questions about this process, please contact us at postbawltcp@msu.edu or 517-884-6061.

WES Transcript Evaluation

A credential evaluation of transcripts from universities outside the United States must be completed and received by the Post BA WLTCP Program to apply for the Residency Program. Candidates who received their bachelor’s degrees from institutions outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). This report is only required for those with international transcripts planning to apply for the Residency Program. WES is the only form of transcript evaluation we will accept.

For your convenience, we recommend that the WES requirement be completed when you submit your application packet materials. However, if you have already received your degree, we will accept the copy directly from the evaluation company up until April 30th. If you have not already graduated with your degree, we must receive the copy directly from the evaluation company by August 15th.

Conviction Disclosure Form

Students, interns, and teacher certification candidates are obligated to report convictions to the certification officer in the Student Affairs Office. You must submit a Conviction Disclosure Form to postbawltcp@msu.edu prior to admission to the Chinese Language Teacher Certification Program and prior to receiving an internship placement.

Instructions: At the top of the form, please mark the line that says, “I am applying for admission to the teacher preparation program as a Post-Bachelor’s student.” If you have an MSU student identification number, please write it at the top of page one next to “PID” and near the bottom of page two by “STUDENT #.”  If you do not have a MSU student number, please leave both of those spaces blank. Post BA WLTCP staff can add a student number to the form later if needed.  Please fill out the rest of the form completely.

Interview

As part of the application process, the Post BA WLTCP may request an interview with applicants.  The interview is an opportunity for the program administrators to learn more about the applicant and gain insight into the background and skills they bring to the program.  If you are invited to do an interview, please respond and schedule a time promptly.  When conducted, interviews are a key part of admissions decisions.