Ed.M. in Language Education with Endorsement for English as a Second Language (ESL) Education
- Degrees & Programs
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Download the program guide (includes course list and application requirements)
- Contact Matt Winkler, Assistant Dean for Advisement in the Office of Student and Academic Services
Program Overview
Led by expert faculty and informed by research-driven curriculum, the Ed.M. in Language Education with Endorsement for English as a Second Language (ESL) program offers students the opportunity for advanced study in the area of linguistics, language pedagogy, and the cultural context of language education. Certified teachers who possess a bachelor’s degree and seek to become certified to teach English as a Second Language are encouraged to apply. Through completion of the program, students will possess 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. Specialized coursework will also equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to identify and develop strategies to help address the unique needs of English language learners.
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 endorsement in ESL Education
Program Goals as of 2022-2023
(Last updated: 7/25/2022)
Knowledge/Understanding
Communication/Community Building
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Research/Professional Practice
Assessment
Professional Development/Self-Reflection
For more information about this program:
Alternatively, the GSE also offers endorsements in Bilingual-Bicultural Education or ESL + 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
30
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What You’ll Learn
The Ed.M. in Language Education with ESL Endorsement program is designed to extend and diversify the professional preparation of certified teachers who seek to enhance their instructional skills and knowledge in English as a second language education. Students will learn techniques for teaching ESL in a classroom setting — specifically those intended to foster student interactions through language activities and based on culturally meaningful situations that mimic “real-life” events. Specialized coursework will also examine the process of second language acquisition as it varies by age levels, as well as explore American culture in comparison to other societies. Graduates of the program will possess a thorough understanding of the social nature of language and its relevance to education, and be prepared to immediately exercise their learnings as a teacher of students learning English as a second language.
For more information about the courses in this program, please visit the course catalog and online schedule of classes.
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Program Requirements
This program typically takes 2 years to complete and includes:
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- 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.
- 30 Graduate Course Credits
Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.
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Careers and Outcomes
With increasing diversity in New Jersey schools and a growing need for ESL educators, certified teachers who enroll in and complete the Ed.M. in Language Education with ESL 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.
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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 endorsement program
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Passing scores on the Oral Proficiency Interview and a Written Proficiency Test in English 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)
- Personal Statement
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How to Apply
- Collect the materials required for admission
- Submit your application online at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/
- Submit supporting materials online
- 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
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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.