Program Quick Facts
Dual Enrollment
Already in a graduate program? Complete this certificate alongside your current degree.
100% Online
Flexible, online classes make it easier to reach your goals while balancing work and family life.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Train to Serve Spanish-Speaking Heritage Language Learners
The online Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners Graduate Certificate at NMSU Global Campus prepares educators to support Spanish speakers who already use Spanish at home or in their communities, but who need help developing academic and professional language skills. Unlike traditional bilingual or TESOL programs, this certificate focuses on the unique needs of heritage learners, offering targeted training in pedagogy and linguistics.
Built around the rich language diversity found in New Mexico and neighboring regions, the program prepares you to work with a wide range of dialects and Spanish-speaking experiences. Whether you are a current teacher, a translator, or a professional in fields like criminal justice or social work, you’ll gain tools to better serve diverse Spanish-speaking populations.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
Earning the Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners Graduate Certificate can open doors to professional advancement for educators and others who work closely with Spanish-speaking populations. While this certificate alone does not lead directly to licensure or a specific job title, it enhances your ability to serve heritage speakers more effectively and can strengthen your qualifications for many career paths.
Here are some professional areas where this certificate can make an impact:
- Academic Advisor
- Adult Education Instructor
- Bilingual Education Specialist
- Community College Instructor
- Criminal Justice Professional
- K–12 Teacher
- Language Program Coordinator
- Literacy Specialist
- NGO Program Officer
- Public Health Educator
- Social Worker
- Spanish Translator/Interpreter
- TESOL/ESL Teacher (focused on heritage learners)
“The flexibility of NMSU Global Campus has been awesome. They've allowed me to travel the world and continue my education.”
Miles S., Class of 2024
The online Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners Graduate Certificate is designed to address the unique needs of Spanish heritage language speakers. Throughout the program, you will explore foundational theories in Spanish language pedagogy, linguistic theory, and culturally relevant teaching methods for heritage language learners.
What You’ll Master in the Core Curriculum
- Advanced theories and methodologies of Spanish language pedagogy
- Pedagogical strategies tailored to teaching Spanish to heritage and native speakers
- Assessment tools aligned with the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning
- Critical Language Awareness and its application in heritage language teaching
- Methods for evaluating and improving language proficiency in diverse learners
Choose Electives to Fit Your Interests and Goals
- Develop expertise in integrating technology into language teaching
- Explore advanced sociolinguistics and dialectal variations of Spanish
- Gain deeper knowledge in bilingualism and its impact on language learning
- Study the history and cultural influences of the Spanish language
- Learn how to effectively teach literature and culture in Spanish using technology
This certificate is open to applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, as well as those currently pursuing a graduate degree at NMSU or another institution. Students planning to enroll in one of our Master of Arts in Education programs at NMSU may count all six certificate courses toward their degree requirements. Although the certificate does not lead to licensure, you may be eligible to apply it as an endorsement to your resume or CV. Check with your school district for local guidelines.
Delivery Format: 100% online, asynchronous
Program Credits: 18 credits
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40*
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Health, Education, and Social Transformation
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The online Teaching Spanish for Heritage Language Learners Graduate Certificate from NMSU Global Campus requires 18 credit hours: four required courses and two electives chosen from an approved list. This structure allows you to align your studies with your professional interests and career goals.
Some courses include class observation components, which can be completed with your current employer or by viewing pre-recorded online classes through NMSU Global Campus—offering flexibility for working professionals. To complete the program, you’ll submit an online portfolio showcasing lesson plans, projects, and other teaching materials developed throughout your coursework.
| Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPAN 502: Sentipensar Pedagogy: Anzaldúa and Other Theorists | 3 |
| SPAN 503: Critical Language Awareness in Teaching SHL | 3 |
| SPAN 508: Teaching Literature with Technology | 3 |
| SPAN 545: Advanced Dialectos del Español | 3 |
| SPAN 597: Advanced Strategies for Teaching Spanish for Heritage/Native Speakers | 3 |
Admission Requirements
- Letter of interest (in Spanish)
- CV or resume (in English or Spanish)
- Language proficiency statement
- Self-evaluation (provided by the department)
If you’re already enrolled in one of our Master of Arts in Education programs online or on campus with the NMSU School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership (TPAL), you only need to submit a letter of interest with your application. GRE scores are not required.
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: globalFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.
***In addition to standard NMSU tuition cost per credit hour, there is an additional tuition differential of $39 per credit hour for engineering courses.