Ed.M. in Language Education with Endorsement for ESL & Bilingual-Bicultural Education

    Program Overview

    Led by expert faculty and informed by research-driven curriculum, the Ed.M. in Language Education with ESL and Bilingual-Bicultural Endorsement program offers students the opportunity for advanced study in the area of linguistics, language pedagogy, and the cultural context of language education. Specialized coursework will help students develop practical skills and strategies needed to advocate for and improve the learning outcomes of, ESL and bilingual and bicultural students. Certified teachers who possess a bachelor’s degree and seek to enhance their instructional skills and knowledge in this discipline are encouraged to apply. Through completion of the program, students will gain a thorough understanding of the nature of language, the process of second language acquisition, the relationship between language and culture, and the successful models of second language instructional strategies. 

    A  New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in a content field or elementary education is required for admission to this program. Upon successful completion of the Ed.M. in Language Education program and included specialized coursework, graduates will receive endorsements in ESL and Bilingual-Bicultural Education.

    Program Goals as of 2022-2023
    (Last updated: 7/25/2022)

    Knowledge/Understanding 

    • Students will develop deep understanding of and expertise in the fundamental aspects of language education, including research and scholarship, principles and practices, and advocacy efforts within the historical and current sociopolitical context of language education.  
    • Language Education students will integrate and extend their own students’ flexible multilingual resources to meet schooling goals, critically question policies and practices that prioritize language separation, and commit to educating the whole child through understandings of their strengths, diverse experiences, and needed supports.  

    Communication/Community Building 

    • Students will build relationships in order to collaborate and participate in professional, scholarly, and community-engaged networks and activities using all modes of communication, while centering the experiences of students, families, and communities. 

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 

    • Students will act guided by the importance of social justice in educational settings and promote educational equity by creating an environment where diverse backgrounds and perspectives (for example, educational, linguistic, cultural, immigration, racial/ethnic, personal, social, economic) are an integral part of the learning experience.  
    • Students will seek to proactively interrupt practices, policies, and curricula that silence, discount, or harm the diverse children in their classrooms.  

    Research/Professional Practice 

    • Students will conduct original research and use that research, as well as interpret and evaluate evidence from other research studies, to inform their professional practice and address problems of practice that may require change in policy, programs, and practice. 

    Assessment 

    • Students will evaluate, identify, and use models and approaches that will be effective in the successful design and implementation of assessment and equity.  
    • Students will strive on behalf of their linguistically, nationally, and culturally diverse learners to design, implement, and advocate for assessments that separate expertise in language use from content knowledge.

    Professional Development/Self-Reflection 

    • Students will proactively seek out opportunities for continuous professional learning and development, including reflective self-inquiry, in order to make significant contributions to the field of language education. 

    For more information about this program:

    Alternatively, the GSE also offers individual endorsements in ESL Education and Bilingual-Bicultural Education for students completing the non-credentialing Ed.M. in Language Education Program.

    Program Details

    Application Deadline

    May 1 / Dec 1 / May 1

    Entry Term(s)

    Fall / Spring / Summer

    Program Level

    Masters

    Program Type

    Degree + Certificate Endorsement

    Format

    On-Campus

    Credits

    36

  • What You’ll Learn

    This program is designed to extend and diversify the professional preparation of certified teachers who seek to enhance their instructional skills and knowledge in ESL and bilingual/bicultural education. Students will explore the basic assumptions underlying bilingualism-biculturalism in a multiethnic society, and examine the research and theory on first and second language acquisition and ESL education. Coursework will prompt students to explore American culture in comparison to other societies, examine the process of second language acquisition as it varies by age levels, and learn techniques for teaching ESL in a classroom setting. Teachers exiting the program will leave armed with culturally responsive skills and dispositions in curriculum development, instruction, assessment, and leadership, and be empowered to strive and advocate for educational equity for all students.

    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:

    • 30 Graduate Course Credits
      • 3 Credits – Historical & Cultural Backgrounds of Emerging Bilingual Course
      • 3 Credits – Theoretical Foundations of Language Development Course 
    • 6 Credits – Language & Linguistics Courses
      • 9 Credits – Culturally Sustaining Language Pedagogy and Practice Courses  
      • 9 Credits – Elective Courses
        • Elective Courses must be approved by an advisor
    • Comprehensive Exam
      • Students are required to take a written comprehensive examination and are responsible for checking the deadline for exam registration in the Learning & Teaching Department office and submitting the necessary forms to their assigned academic advisor for approval. 

    Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.

  • Careers and Outcomes

    With increasing diversity in New Jersey schools and a growing need for ESL and bilingual-bicultural educators, certified teachers who enroll in and complete the Ed.M. in Language Education with ESL and Bilingual-Bicultural Endorsement program distinguish themselves from their peers and are better situated for priority employment, career advancement, and increases in compensation. Beyond acting as practitioners helping students learn English and advance their language proficiency, graduates may also find themselves in educational advisory, consulting, and development roles, both within and outside of traditional school settings, serving students from infancy to adulthood.

  • Admissions Requirements
    • Personal Statement
      •  Statement should briefly describe an experience with English language learners and bilingual students and explains why the applicant wishes to enroll in our ESL and Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement program
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation
    • Passing scores on the Oral Proficiency Interview and a Written Proficiency Test in English and in the Target Language Administered by ACTFL
      • Any test scores submitted must be less than 5 years old as of the application deadline. Scores must be official, not self-reported
    • Photocopy of a New Jersey Standard Instructional Certificate or CEAS 
    • Official Undergraduate Transcripts
      • Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants are not usually admitted with a GPA of less than 3.0 in their most recent degree.
    • Official Graduate Transcripts (if applicable)
  • 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.

Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback form.

Copyright © 2024 Rutgers GSE
Scroll to Top