Ed.M. with Certification in Foreign Language Education (K-12)

    Program Overview

    The Ed.M. program with (K-12) Foreign Language Education teacher certification is designed for individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue initial teacher certification and a master’s degree in education at the same time. The program’s curriculum covers a range of foundational topics in K-12 education including the principles of classroom learning, evaluation and assessment, educational psychology, and classroom organization, but with specific appreciation for their context in foreign language education. Students will learn the process of second language acquisition, practice strategies and develop activities for teaching the target language, and deepen their understanding of the target culture and the principal ways in which it resembles and differs from that of the United States. In alignment with the GSE’s mission, all teacher preparation programs and courses are designed to prepare teacher candidates to effectively teach diverse learners by fostering a deep understanding of students from historically underserved linguistic, economic, and cultural backgrounds and communities. 

    After the master’s degree is awarded, the GSE will make a recommendation to the New Jersey State Department of Education on behalf of the graduate to receive their Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) with endorsement Foreign Language Education.  

     


    For more information about this program:

    • Prospective students should download the revised proposed program guide (with fewer required credits) effective September 2025*. The program guide includes a proposed course list and application requirements for the anticipated new program.
    • The current program guide is effective through Summer 2025 and is applicable to all current students.
    • For more information about the pending changes to the program, please attend a GSE Initial Licensure Information Session or watch this video of an information session, password: ?0fzQs9I
    • Contact Ken Tufo, Student Counselor in the Office of Student and Academic Services for further information.

    *Pending final approval from the New Jersey Department of Education and Rutgers University.

    Program Details

    Application Deadline

    Februrary 1, 2025

    Entry Term(s)

    Fall

    Program Level

    Masters

    Program Type

    Degree + Teacher Certification

    Format

    On-campus

    Credits

    59

  • What You’ll Learn

    Students enrolled in the Ed.M. with Foreign Language (K-12) Teacher Certification program will graduate with a thorough understanding of the process of second language acquisition, specifically regarding foreign language learning in a classroom setting and how it varies by age level. They will study language analysis involving the phonology, morphology, and syntax of the target language and examine how it compares with the languages and cultures prevalent in the United States. Through completion of the coursework, students will develop techniques for teaching foreign languages in a classroom setting and possess comprehensive knowledge of assessment and test development procedures as they apply to foreign language learning. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be effective practitioners knowledgeable about current research in learning, teaching, and language development, and prepared to make informed decisions about their educational practice.

    For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.

  • Program Requirements

    This program typically takes 2 years to complete and includes:

      • 2 no-credit Modules – Completed in the First Summer Semester
      • 59 Graduate Course Credits
        • 13 Credits – Completed in the First Fall Semester
        • 10 Credits – Completed in the First Spring Semester
        • 9 Credits – Completed in the Second Summer Semester
        • 15 Credits – Completed in Second Fall Semester 
        • 12 Credits – Complete in Second Spring Semester
      • Capstone Project
        • All students are required to participate in and present at a poster session during the last semester of their graduate work
      • Oral Proficiency Interview & Written Proficiency Test 
        • All students seeking certification in a language are required to pass an Oral Proficiency Interview in the target language administered by ACTFL.

    Graduates are expected to complete the required course sequence and satisfy their general education requirements, liberal arts credits, and complete their portfolio concurrently through completion of their coursework. Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.

  • Careers and Outcomes

    Graduates exiting the Ed.M. program with Foreign Language Education Teacher Certification will be prepared for immediate employment as a foreign language education practitioner in New Jersey K-12 public, private, and charter schools. Beyond acting as practitioners helping students learn a foreign language and advance their language proficiency, graduates may also find themselves in educational or language-focused advisory, consulting, and development roles, both within and outside of traditional school settings, serving learners from infancy to adulthood. Examples of such positions might include private tutors, writers, international relations specialists, interpreters or translators, editors, and language coaches.

  • Admissions Requirements
    • Personal Statement
    • One Letter of Recommendation
    • Passing Praxis Core test scores* in Reading, Writing, and Math
      • or SAT scores* greater than 50th percentile in both Math and Verbal or both Math and Reading
      • or ACT scores* greater than 50th percentile in both Math and English
      • or GRE scores* greater than 50th percentile in both Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning
    • Official Undergraduate Transcripts**

    *Any test scores submitted must be less than 5 years old as of the application deadline
    **The New Jersey Department of Education requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 to be admitted to a teacher education program

  • How to Apply
    1. Collect the materials required for admission
    2. Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
    3. Submit supporting materials online
    4. Any supporting materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be mailed to Graduate Admissions’ New Brunswick office. Their mailing address can be found here: https://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/about/contact-us
  • Tuition & Financial Assistance

    Tuition

    For tuition and fees information please visit the tuition landing page.

    Financial Aid:

    While students are encouraged to apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), there are a number of other merit- and need-based support options, including loans and college work-study programs within and external to Rutgers. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

    Scholarships, Fellowships & Assistantships:

    Generous GSE alumni, friends, and community members have established and continue to donate to more than one dozen fellowships and scholarships to help deserving students reach their goals. These awards are granted on the basis of academic achievement and or financial need. While these awards are competitive, interested students are encouraged to apply for consideration and submit the required materials. Students must also submit a FAFSA application to be eligible.  

    To review all current awards and learn more about the donors that established them, please click here.

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