Graduate Certificates
- Certificate in the Teaching of Composition
- Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading
- Certificate in Immigrant Literacies
For matriculated graduate students, admission to either or both of the certificate programs requires completion of the internal English Department application, which should be submitted to the department. This internal application is available in the main department office in HUM 289 or at online. Students must apply to the certificate program before their first semester of coursework
Anyone who wishes a certificate, but is not currently a matriculated graduate student, will need to apply to the university, using the published admissions process, before being considered for admission to the composition or reading certificate programs. For information about how to complete this application, students should consult the appropriate graduate coordinator of the Division of Graduate Studies.
Students interested in admission to the certificate programs need not have completed undergraduate degree programs in English literature or language studies, nor need they be enrolled in master's programs offered in the Department of English. Graduate students from master's programs offered in this department should contact their advisers to find out how many of the courses taken for composition or reading certificates they may use to meet degree requirements in their MA program. Unclassified graduate students and candidates for degrees in other departments may be accepted into the program with the approval of the composition or reading faculty.
Upon completion of all the certificate courses, for the final award of the degree, students must fill out a Certificate Approved Program (CAP) form (pdf) available on the Graduate Studies website, pay the $7.00 application fee at the Cashier's Office, and submit the form to the Composition Office in HUM 209 for the Certificates in the Teaching of Composition and Post-Secondary Reading, and to the English Department in HUM 289 for the Certificate in Immigrant Literacies. Please contact the English Department in HUM 289 with any questions.
Certificate in the Teaching of Composition
The program is designed for people who want to teach composition at the senior high school, community college, college, and adult levels. It is aimed at both experienced and aspirant teachers who wish to learn about the field of composition and who wish to improve their classroom practice.
The Certificate Program Courses in the Teaching of Composition page provides a more detailed description of the program.
Application Procedures
If you currently are NOT a matriculated MA student at SFSU, and you wish to apply for admission to the program, you:
- must apply to the University. To do so, you will need to apply to SFSU online at CSU Mentor.
-
must fill out the internal English Department application and submit it to the department.
(Please note: The English Department is not accepting applications from matriculated students until mid-semester) - When you fill out your online application through CSU Mentor, you will need to write, "Regular University Certificate Only," in the area that asks you to state "Major/Program Objective." The program code is 831902.
If you currently ARE a matriculated MA student at SFSU, and you wish to apply for admission to the program, you:
- do not need to apply to the University
- must fill out the internal English Department application and submit it to the department.
The deadline to apply for Fall semester is May 1; the deadline to apply for Spring semester is November 1.
The phone number for the Graduate Division is (415) 338-2234.
Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading
This certificate has been designed to assist prospective and already practicing post-secondary teachers in meeting specific individual professional needs in the areas of basic literacy and reading instruction. The certificate can help prepare students for teaching position in the community colleges and community agencies where specialized background and techniques in reading instruction are desirable.
The Certificate Program Courses in Teaching of Post-Secondary Reading page provides a more detailed description of the program.
Application Procedures
If you currently are NOT a matriculated MA student at SFSU, and you wish to apply for admission to the program, you:
- must apply to the University. To do so, you will need to apply to SFSU online at CSU Mentor.
-
must fill out the internal English Department application and submit it to the department.
(Please note: The English Department is not accepting applications from matriculated students until mid-semester) -
When you fill out your online application through CSU Mentor, you will need to write, "Regular University Certificate Only," in the area that asks you to state "Major/Program Objective." The program code is 831902.
The deadline to apply for Fall semester is May 1; the deadline to apply for Spring semester is November 1.
The phone number for the Graduate Division is (415) 338-2234.
If you currently ARE a matriculated MA student at SFSU, and you wish to apply for admission to the program, you:
- do not need to apply to the University
-
must fill out the internal English Department application and submit it to the department.
(Please note: The English Department is not accepting applications from matriculated students until mid-semester)
Certificate in Immigrant Literacies
The certificate program is designed to provide academic training in the study of language, literacies, and the immigrant experience. The program integrates community service learning to enable certificate students to integrate their professional expertise and cross-disciplinary thinking with meaningful civic action.
The Certificate Program in Immigrant Literacies page a more detailed description of the program.
Admission Procedures
All applicants must submit the following to the English Department:
- a short personal statement which outlines your interests in immigrant language and literacy issues
- transcript
- current vita or resume
- names and contact information of TWO references (provide name, job title or relationship, address, phone number)
- evidence of completion of the university’s Level I written English proficiency requirements*
- For non-matriculated students only: documentation of a passing score on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE or GMAT; or a 3-4 page academic writing sample (e.g. research paper, grant proposal, publication)
Upon completion of all the certificate courses, for the final award of the degree, students must fill out a CAP form (Certificate Approved Program), pay the $7.00 application fee at the Cashier’s Office, and submit the form to the English Department in HUM 289. Please contact the English Department at 415-338-2264 if you have any questions.
Please note: If you are currently a matriculated graduate student, you DO NOT need to apply to the university; submit this department application along with items 1-5 listed above to the English Department.
If you are a prospective, non-matriculated student, you need to apply to the university through CSU Mentor, and submit this department application along with items 1-6 listed above to the English Department.
* For matriculated graduate students in TESOL: Evidence of completion of the written English proficiency requirement is determined based on a satisfactory evaluation of the student’s Statement of Purpose, submitted to the department as part of the application.
