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Explore your calling through a career in multilingual teaching—helping shape lives, building understanding, and serving students from diverse backgrounds. As our world becomes more connected, the ability to communicate across languages and cultures is an ever-growing need. 

Through a 12-unit curriculum, this added authorization will prepare you to support first and second language learners with intentional and impactful education. Upon completion of this program, teachers can expect to have gained the following skills:

• Understanding of language acquisition and multilingual development
• Ability to design integrated language and content instruction
• Use of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices
• Skills in assessing and supporting multilingual learners

The CLAD added authorization can be obtained while earning your preliminary credential (MAT or MCIRL) or as an added authorization for educators who already hold a valid California teaching credential. This program can be taken as a standalone credential or within the Master of Arts in Teaching or Master's in Curriculum and Instruction programs.

Be Confident in Your Calling

For teachers, a diverse classroom shouldn’t be an added responsibility, but an opportunity to provide spaces for multilingual students to be seen, understood, and able to thrive. Multilingual teaching allows for the whole classroom to be included through an understanding of learning a new language, how culture shapes learning, and valuing the strengths students already bring. 

At ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç, we’re here to partner with you in that calling. You’ll learn within an environment where your goals, faith, and passion are shared and valued. You’ll be supported in your learning as you strive to support future students. 

Establish Your Multilingual Credibility

Due to an increasingly competitive educational sector, school districts are looking for multilingual teachers and specialists. The CLAD certification will prepare you for the diverse atmosphere of today’s education system with the skills and the qualifications needed to support multilingual learners. 

¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç offers cohort options for schools and groups seeking to earn their CLAD certification together.

Learn on Your Schedule

The fully online curriculum supports full-time working educators or those earning a preliminary credential — so you can continue moving forward without putting your life on hold. All coursework is grounded in real-classroom application, equipping you with strategies to support multilingual learners with care and confidence.

You can complete this in-demand credential in as few as four months. 

Build a Lasting Network of Support

Throughout your time at ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç, you will be mentored and guided from faculty, master teachers, and career counselors. ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç’s Education Associates alumni network will keep you connected long after graduation, while further professional development opportunities are available as you advance in your career.

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We're here to make the entire process a simple one. We'll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Fall 2026 Quad I — August 31, 2026
• Spring 2027 Quad I — January 11, 2027

Application Deadlines(s):

• Fall 2026 Quad I — August 14, 2026
• Spring 2027 Quad I — December 11, 2026

Not all programs offer entry for new students each quad. Check with your enrollment counselor for programs and start dates.

The Selection Process

The educational context at ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

To be admitted into the CTEL/CLAD added authorization program, you must fall under one of the following:

• You must possess a valid California teaching credential before pursuing the CTEL/CLAD certification as a standalone added authorization.
• For those without a teaching credential, you can also take CTEL/CLAD as a standalone added authorization with one of the following qualifications:
  • Speech-Language Pathology or Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential with a Special Class Authorization
  • School Nurse Services Credential with a Special Teaching Authorization in Health
  • Visiting Faculty Permit, Children’s Center Permit (excluding emergency), or Child Development Permit (excluding Assistant and Associate Permits) that authorizes the holder to provide instruction to pupils.
• Pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Teaching
  • Students can simultaneously do the coursework for the CLAD/CTEL added authorization, but must have a California teaching credential before being recommended for the CLAD/CTEL added authorization
  • Please Note: Students in MAT with the multiple or single subject credential can take two (2) additional courses to earn the CLAD/CTEL added authorization. Students pursuing the education specialist credential can take three (3) additional courses for the CLAD/CTEL added authorization.
• Pursuing a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading and Literacy with a multilingual learners concentration
• A California teaching credential is required upon entry

Admissions Interview: You may be eligible for an interview waiver. Eligibility can be discussed in more depth with a ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç admissions counselor once you've started your application.

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç alums, current or former military and their dependents, and ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Applicants must submit a 2–3 page, double-spaced essay responding to the required prompts provided during the application process. Each response to each prompt should be presented as a strong, well-developed paragraph that demonstrates the applicant’s background, professional goals, and graduate-level writing ability.
4. Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.
5. For credential seekers only: Submit basic skills exam (CBEST or equivalent) scores. This can be demonstrated by taking the CBEST exam
   • OR Multiple Subject CSET plus writing skills examination
   • OR CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examination
   • OR providing proof of a valid California teaching credential

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç is physically located. For information about ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our Disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on . 

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

Pursuing a teaching degree at ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç can prepare you for the following careers:

• K–12 teacher with English Learner Authorization (CLAD)
• English Language Development (ELD) teacher or support specialist
• Instructional coach or support roles focused on multilingual learners

If you’re considering teaching outside of the traditional classroom environment, you may want to consider earning your credential as part of a 

Master of Arts in Teaching

, which provides excellent preparation for people who want to teach outside the traditional classroom environment as tutors or corporate trainers, or in settings such as museums or zoo education departments.

"The ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç Master of Arts in Teaching program is focused on preparing candidates to be educational leaders in the era of 21st-century education and common core standards. Through coursework, fieldwork, and interaction with faculty in ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç's School of Education, students will gain the knowledge and skills to empower them to provide high quality educational experiences to students and to be leaders in their schools and districts."

Kathy Caric
Special Education Program Advisor, Master of Arts in Teaching

For information about the courses required for the California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL/CLAD) Added Authorization program, view the ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç Catalog.

Course Information coming soon!