Certificate
Course
The descriptions for the seven certificate programs provide an overview of the credits and
courses. These sequenced courses within each certificate are designed for graduate-level
learners who are presently working in a school setting or have access to schools and classrooms on a regular basis. More detail for the individual courses is provided in the Acacia University Catalog and Student Handbook 2022-2023.
Admission Eligibility and Requirements
- Eligible participants must be graduate-level teachers (instructional specialists, administrators, or any other school staff member assigned teaching duties or with access to educational facilities and programs) with current access to classrooms and a school (from grades preK-12, any content area).
- Participants must have regular access to a computer with reliable internet connectivity.
- The Introduction to Graduate Studies – Site Orientation must be completed prior to the start of the first course
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university – The degree must be verified on original transcripts sent by the undergraduate institution directly to Acacia University. Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through an evaluation agency credentialed through National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
- Verifiable work experience as a teacher or administrator in an educational setting
- Original transcripts from undergraduate degrees from accredited universities
- Two recommendation letters completed by a school administrator or supervisor.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a baccalaureate degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency by submitting their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. Master’s degree applicants must demonstrate college-level proficiency with a minimum score of 530 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- Completed DocuSign Enrollment Agreement
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university – The degree must be verified on official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted.
International applicants: Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions must have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. This requirement does not apply to international applicants who received a degree from a US college or university.
- English language competency – Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a bachelor’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission:
- 60 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT)
- 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
- 50 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report
- 100 on the Duolingo English Test
- 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET)
- 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE)
- A minimum score on the College Board Accuplacer ESL Exam Series as follows:
ESL Language Use: Score of 85
ESL Listening: Score of 80
ESL Reading: Score of 85
ESL Sentence Meaning: Score of 90
ESL Writeplacer: Score of 4
Comprehensive Score for all exams of 350 - A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam;
- A minimum B-2 English proficiency level identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards and assessed through various ESOL examinations, including the University of Cambridge
- Verification of a teaching position or access to classrooms – confirmation of classroom and connectivity attestation through either a signed form https://www.acacia.edu/required-classroom-and-connectivity-attestation.pdf
or declared via the Classroom and Connectivity Access Attestation section in the website admission form.- The Master of Arts in Elementary Education requires access to elementary classrooms.
- The Master of Arts in Secondary Education requires access to secondary classrooms.
- The Master of Education in Educational Administration requires a minimum of 2 years of prior successful teaching experience and access to classrooms.
- The Master of Education in Special Education requires access to Special Education classrooms for implementation of strategies and assignments.
- The Master of Education in English as a Second Language requires access to classrooms with ESL students.
- Ongoing access to computer technology – All Acacia University courses are presented online so each applicant must have a computer and internet access to participate.
Acacia University courses are 100% online so each applicant must have access that includes e-mail and the internet to participate.
Program Information
- Offer specialized education courses that are relatively short-term and low in cost.
- Key benefits include the potential for increased marketability, enhanced skill sets, and personalized flexibility for the working adult.
- Courses are all transferrable to education graduate degree programs at Acacia University.
- Certificates can be stacked to transfer into an Acacia master’s degree program
- Designed for graduate-level educators who are presently teachers or administrators in a school setting or have regular weekly access to a school and classrooms.
Program Goal
- Disclosure notice to US students: Acacia University offers graduate degrees for current teachers to achieve their professional goals. Prospective and current students in the US must be licensed teachers in the state in which they work. Acacia programs are NOT a pathway to teacher licensure in the US.
- This information is provided per U.S. Federal Regulations, 34 CFR § 668.50 (2016 Rules), 34 CFR § 668.43 (2019 Rules), and in compliance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Manual version 19.2
- Acacia University is an approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which allows the university to provide distance learning programs and course work to students located in states other than Arizona. NC-SARA approval does not grant reciprocity or exemption from state professional licensing requirements.
Application for Admission to the Non Degree Programs
An individual not qualifying as a regular applicant may apply as a special applicant. Special applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but must have an academic background equivalent to a bachelor’s degree earned in the United States.
I am Ready to Start the Application for Admission
I Still Have Questions
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
