in person

Allies of Dreamers

Allies of Dreamers Certificate Program

Claremont Graduate University’s Allies of Dreamers Certificate program trains you to understand the needs and challenges of undocumented youth and their families to provide support to this underserved population.

The first program of its kind nationally, Allies of Dreamers is a graduate‐level certificate program that provides the historical context, theoretical framework, and specific knowledge needed by K-12 teachers and administrators, student affairs professionals in higher education, and community leaders to offer mentorship and advocacy for Dreamers and other undocumented students. Supported by faculty and students from CGU, University of California Irvine, Pomona College, and California State University, Los Angeles, the Allies of Dreamers program seeks to fill the growing demand for trained individuals who are committed to ensuring undocumented students are protected, fully integrated into K‐12 schools, and have the necessary support and preparation to access college and successfully transition to graduate school and the workforce.

Among other skills, program participants will learn best practices to integrate undocumented students in the classroom, college campuses, and society, will develop skills to be an informed advocate and help students navigate the educational system, and will gain comprehensive understanding of law and policy affecting Dreamers in K-12 and higher education.

Learn more about why teachers are training themselves to be Dreamer allies (PBS NewsHour).

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
  • Our 8-unit program is ideal for K-12 educators, student affairs professionals in higher education, and community leaders who have previous experience working with immigrant communities to support undocumented students and who understand the value of well‐informed mentors and advocates.
  • Allies of Dreamers coursework may be applied to several graduate-level degrees at CGU, including the MA in Education, PhD in Educational Leadership, and Teaching Credential/Induction program.
  • You’ll benefit from collaborative coursework with CGU faculty and the Dreamers Coalition, a network of informed, active leaders.

Loading...

Program At-a-glance

  • 8 units

    required units

  • Allies of Dreamers Certificate

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Fall

    program start

  • 2 semesters | full time*

    estimated completion time

Faculty

  • Portrait of Delacy Ganley

    DeLacy Ganley

    Dean, School of Educational Studies
    Professor of Education

    Research Interests

    Culturally relevant education; resiliency and achievement of marginalized populations; intersection of families, community, and school; language acquisition; social capital theory; systems theory

  • Laureen Adams

    Laureen Adams

    Adjunct Faculty, Allies of Dreamers Certificate program

    Research Interests

    Teacher education, urban teacher preparation and resilience, schooling experiences of Black students, teacher and student relationships, teacher care, culturally sustaining pedagogy, critical race theory, liberatory education, healing, qualitative methodologies, Africana studies

  • Gloria Montiel

    Gloria Itzel Montiel

    Instructor, Allies of Dreamers Certificate program

    Research Interests

    The undocumented student experience in selective private colleges, institutional capacity to serve undocumented students, social determinants of health at the intersection of race and immigration, the undocumented student experience in doctoral education

  • flame logo graphic

    Iliana G. Perez

    Lecturer

    Research Interests

    Immigrant entrepreneurship, the occupational and educational attainment of undocumented students, economics of immigration

Curriculum

The Allies of Dreamers Certificate requires the completion of four courses comprising 8 units of study:

Fall
EDUC 419: Undocumented Experiences: Historical & Contemporary Perspectives (2 units)
EDUC 420: Higher Education Access & Professional Experiences for Undocumented Youth (2 units)

Spring
EDUC 421: Working With & For Undocumented Students (2 units)
EDUC 422: Promoting Wellness in Undocumented Populations & The Allies Who Support Them (2 units)

Coursework is designed to be taken sequentially, with EDUC 419 & 420 in the fall and EDUC 421 & 422 in the spring.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)

Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.

Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

Apply Now

Back to the tabs

Dreamer Coalition: Program Advisory Board

  • Dr. Laureen Adams
  • Gabriela Amel Peralta
  • Rene Amel Peralta
  • Ana M. Barragan
  • Dr. Anita Casavantes Bradford
  • Dr. Laura E. Enriquez
  • Dr. Miriam Feldblum
  • Miguel Hernandez Carvente
  • Dr. Elena Macias
  • Maria Melendrez
  • Dr. Gloria Montiel
  • Martha Arhemi Morales
  • Iliana Perez
  • Dr. Anita Quintanar
  • Jessica Valenzuela
Dreamer Coalition: Program Advisory Board
  • Dr. Laureen Adams
  • Gabriela Amel Peralta
  • Rene Amel Peralta
  • Ana M. Barragan
  • Dr. Anita Casavantes Bradford
  • Dr. Laura E. Enriquez
  • Dr. Miriam Feldblum
  • Miguel Hernandez Carvente
  • Dr. Elena Macias
  • Maria Melendrez
  • Dr. Gloria Montiel
  • Martha Arhemi Morales
  • Iliana Perez
  • Dr. Anita Quintanar
  • Jessica Valenzuela
Apply now

Request More Info

Contact us for more information

Loading...

While waiting for our answer, take a look at our FAQ

Maybe you'll find some answers to your questions

See FAQ