Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education

An innovative online program emphasizing social justice and critical approaches to teaching Spanish

Become a Mason Graduate Student

All applicants for graduate study at George Mason University must meet the admission standards specified in the Admission chapter of the University Catalog.

You are responsible for submitting all required application materials by the posted deadline. Review your program's Admissions Requirements and Deadlines before you begin your application. You can also visit our Grad Admissions page for helpful hints on how best to prepare your transcripts and other Admissions materials.

Step 1: Complete and submit the online Graduate Admissions application. George Mason University requires all graduate applicants to upload all possible required supplementary materials, such as unofficial transcripts, goals statement and writing sample, at the same time you submit your application. Online applications require a non-refundable $75 application processing fee.

Step 2: Within a few days of submitting your online application, you will receive an email with your Mason G number (G#). This is a tracking number provided to all applicants that allows us to match your supporting documentation to your completed application.

Step 3: Check your application status and requirements checklist in your application portal. Initial processing takes 3 to 5 business days from the date of submission. You can use your application log-in and password to access your information throughout the application process. Graduate Admissions may send updates or notify you of issues with your application through your admissions portal, so it is best to log in periodically to monitor your application status.

Step 4: For newly admitted students, refer to the CHSS New Graduate Student webpage for tips on confirming enrollment, submitting official transcripts, registering for class and more.

The fall graduate degree seeking application opens September 15.

The spring graduate degree seeking application opens April 15.

The summer graduate degree seeking application opens September 15.

Program Specific Requirements

College Transcripts Goals Statement GRE Portfolio Recommendation Letters Resume Writing Sample
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The goals statement (250-350 words) should describe your academic and/or professional plans, as well as your preparation for graduate level coursework. It must be written in Spanish and uploaded via the online application.

With your online application you should also upload a language proficiency statement in which you provide evidence of sufficient Spanish proficiency to complete graduate level coursework in Spanish. Examples of evidence include having completed a baccalaureate degree in Spanish, having graduated from a high school or university in Latin America or Spain, having grown-up bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish, or having scored B2 or higher on the Diploma of Spanish (DELE) or the International Spanish Language Evaluation Service (SIELE), among other possibilities. Please list or describe the specific experiences and/or contexts in which you developed this proficiency, including dates. (The graduate faculty may contact you to discuss your linguistic qualifications).

The two letters of recommendation should come from faculty members or individuals with first-hand knowledge of your academic or professional capabilities.

Applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree or minor in Spanish, Education or a related area of study and have at least a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in the field. Those whose baccalaureate degrees were earned in other fields or who otherwise do not meet the above requirements but who provide evidence of a capacity to pursue graduate study are encouraged to apply. They may be asked to participate in an online interview and/or they may be admitted provisionally and be required to make up gaps in their undergraduate record before the provisional qualifier to their admission is removed.

NOTE: the SHLE certificate can be completed fully online but is listed under the “on-campus/hybrid” programs on the application because students have the option to take select courses on campus.

Additional Requirements for