Admission Requirements
Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information. For full admission to the Graduate Certificate in National Board Certified Teacher, applicants are expected to provide or complete the following:
- Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. The application can be downloaded at www.wilmu.edu/admission/documents/paperapp.pdf.
- Provide an official transcript or transcripts from an accredited college, university, verifying completion of a master’s degree. Transcripts and all application documents should be sent directly to Wilmington University Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Valid Teaching License for three years, and successful teaching for three years.
- Current resume.
- Schedule a program planning conference with the Program Coordinator, or Chair.
After all of the above requirements have been completed, register for the appropriate course(s) in the certificate program.
Purpose
The National Board Certified Teacher certificate program is designed for educators seeking National Board Certification. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Different states provide incentives that include salary increases and teacher-leader roles. Many teachers who have achieved National Board Certification move into teacher-leadership roles in their respective school, district, and state. Candidates must have a valid teaching license for three years, and three years of successful teaching experience.
Outcomes Assessment
Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Graduate Certificate and the university-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate projects, assignments, and research papers. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus.
Program Design
Candidates are expected to satisfactorily complete all requirements associated with the Graduate Certificate. The certificate includes 15-credits of content-specific courses related to content knowledge and skills in an interdisciplinary, applied approach.
Course Requirements
Content Specific Courses (15 credits)
Qualifications for Certificate
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate, a candidate must successfully complete the five 3 credit courses listed above (15 credit hours) with a GPA of at least a 3.0. Because of rapid changes in the field, we recommend that the certificate
be completed within two years.
Candidates successfully completing the requirements of all courses will, upon application to Wilmington University Office of the Registrar, be issued a Wilmington University Graduate Certificate. Applications for the graduate certificate may be found on the Wilmington University Registrar’s webpage.
To earn National Board Certification, candidates will also be required to apply to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and meet the standards for their content area as demonstrated by submission of a professional portfolio and a content knowledge exam. NBPTS requires applicants hold a valid teaching license and have at least three years of teaching experience before they can earn certification.
NOTE: Completion of this certificate does not qualify the recipient for a license or certification in Delaware, since there is no relevant Delaware license or certificate.