Intermediate Unit 1 and California University of Pennsylvania have announced a five-year agreement that will allow students who have achieved English as a Second Language (ESL) certification through IU1 to receive 18 credits in Cal U’s online Master of Education in ESL program.
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the admission requirements and be accepted by Cal U’s School of Graduate Studies and Research. The M.Ed.-only (without certification) program in ESL is offered through Cal U Global Online, which provides online programs at the university.
The new agreement gives students the opportunity to continue their graduate-level education at Cal U, while recognizing the achievements of those in the IU1 certification program.
It also provides both institutions with more precise guidelines for advising students who are interested in pursuing the master’s degree in ESL offered through Cal U Global Online.
Continuing collaboration
The credit agreement continues a collaboration that supplements the “Cal U/IU1 ESL Professional Development Project,” which trains personnel to support English language learners in Pennsylvania’s public schools.
The project is funded by a $1.8 million English Language Acquisition: National Professional Development Grant awarded in 2012 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition.
At IU1, the grant supports development of a model continuum of professional development opportunities for pre-service teachers, new teachers, experienced teachers, principals, assistant principals and paraprofessionals who are teaching English-language learners.
The grant also gives teachers-in-training at Cal U the opportunity to complete state-mandated coursework in teaching English-language learners.
Learn more
Students who wish to learn more about the credit agreement may contact Jenny Lent at jenny.lent@iu1.org or Patricia Hazen at patricia.hazen@iu1.org; or Cal U Global Online at calugo@calu.edu.
About Intermediate Unit 1
Intermediate Unit 1 is a public educational service agency dedicated to providing quality leadership and services to the schools and communities of Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. IU1 offers direct student services in the areas of special education, nonpublic education, adult basic literacy and English as a second language (ESL). It also provides staff development, consulting and technology services, consortia purchasing opportunities and grant-supported programs, and it acts as a liaison to help school districts meet state Department of Education mandates. Learn more at www.iu1.org.