The College of Education offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching English as a Second Language (masters + teaching license) for adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree (i.e., you are post baccalaureate), may have some professional work experience, and want to obtain teaching credentials for grades preK-12. This program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners, with courses offered in the evenings and/or offered in a blended or online format. The program of study combines course work and field experiences to prepare candidates for teacher licensure.
English as a Second language endorsement candidates for licensure in this program should possess a bachelor’s degree, including six credits in a modern foreign language. They must complete the professional studies and endorsement course requirements listed below—or equivalent courses verified by a program advisor—and demonstrate the competencies exhibited by skillful teachers and those required for Virginia licensure in both professional studies and the endorsement subject area. Candidates must be proficient in all competencies to be recommended for licensure.
The Initial Licensure program has three components: subject matter endorsement requirements, professional studies requirements, and M.Ed. completion requirements. Subject matter endorsement requirements are typically met prior to enrollment in the program. For example, someone who wishes to teach mathematics should have the equivalent of a mathematics major in course work or experience, or be prepared to make up the course work deficiencies. The two exceptions to this model are English as a Second Language and Special Education. Graduate-level course work is available as a part of the program to fulfill those endorsement requirements.
The internship (student teaching), required for all licensure completers in the Initial Licensure Program, is a semester long field-based teaching experience in the appropriate grade level or subject area. Self-analysis and reflection on planned and implemented instruction and frequent conferences with the mentor teacher and the university supervisor are prominent aspects of the experience. Because the internship must be a supervised experience, student teaching placements are made in schools local to the university.
Program Course Sequence
The following professional studies courses, or their equivalents, are required of all candidates in the PreK-12 English as a Second Language Program:
Required Graduate Courses:
- EDCI 500 Teaching and the Development of the Learner (3 credits)
- EDCI 501 Curriculum and Instruction Secondary (3 credits)
- EDCI 506 Foundations of American Education (3 credits)
- EDCI 519 Managing the Classroom Environment: Elementary (3 credits) OR EDCI 521 Managing the Classroom Environment: Secondary (3 credits)
- INDT 501 Instructional Technologies (3 credits)
- TESL 515 ESL Literacy Strategies: PreK-12 (3 credits)
- TESL 530 Second Language Methods: Literacy and Language Skills (3 credits)
- EDCI 550 M.Ed. Initial Licensure Internship (6 credits)
Field experiences are embedded in the following courses: EDCI 501, EDCI 519/521, and TESL 515.
English as a Second Language Endorsement Courses
Prerequisite or co-requisite: six credits in a modern foreign language In addition to the 27 credits of professional studies course work outlined above, the following endorsement courses are required of all candidates seeking ESL endorsement:
- TESL 500 Introduction to English Linguistics (3 credits)
- TESL 511A Applied Linguistics: Grammar and Meaning (3 credits)
- TESL 512 Second Language Acquisition (3 credits)
- TESL 514 Cross-Cultural Education (3 credits)
- TESL 531 ESL Curriculum, Assessment, and Leadership (3 credits)
- EDCI 589 Applied Research
Documents, Deadlines & Policies
Steps to Prepare for this Program
Checksheet: M.Ed., PreK-12 Education: Teaching English as a Second Language
Program Policies: Graduate Program Catalog
Questions about the program, contact:
Dr. April Brecht
Director of Advising Center Services
Phone: (540) 286-8032
Email: abrecht@umw.eduDr. Jane Huffman
Program Director for Advanced and Non-Degree Programs
Phone: (540) 286-8117
Email: jhuffma2@umw.edu
