Ed.M. in Language Education

    Program Overview

    Led by expert faculty and informed by research-driven curriculum, the Ed.M. in Language Education program at the GSE offers students the opportunity for advanced study in the area of linguistics, language pedagogy, and the cultural context of language education. Students who possess a bachelor’s degree and are interested in scholarly exploration of aspects of language education are encouraged to apply. Offered on-campus or 100% online, the program serves to meet the needs of individuals who wish to work in settings that do not require certification. Through completion of the program, students will be equipped with a thorough understanding of the nature of language, the process of second language acquisition, the relationship between language and culture, and successful models of second language instructional strategies. 

    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, download the program guides (includes course list and application requirements):

    This is a non-certification program and does not include coursework resulting in a NJ school personnel license. There are 3 available specializations for students enrolled in the program who are also seeking endorsement concurrently with completion of the Ed.M. in Language Education:

    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

    100% Online or On-campus

    Credits

    30

  • What You’ll Learn

    Students enrolled in the Ed.M. in Language Education program will gain a foundational understanding of language education through coursework that both explores the principles of the discipline as well as examines how language functions and is employed throughout various societies, cultures, and communities. With the intent to provide students with the flexibility to pursue an academic pathway most relevant to their individual interests, students are required to take 12 credits of elective courses to complete the program. Students can work with their advisor to select elective courses that can then contribute towards an endorsement in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, ESL Education, or ESL and Bilingual-Bicultural Education.

    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
      • 15 Credits – Language Education Core Courses
      • 3 Credits – Methodology Course 
      •  12 Credits – Elective Courses
        • Elective Courses must be approved by an advisor; students may choose to select courses towards an additional endorsement
    • Comprehensive Exam
      • On-Campus Program: 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.
      • Online Program: Students are required to take a comprehensive examination and are responsible for checking the deadline for exam registration with their academic advisor and submitting the necessary forms to their advisor for approval.

    Accepted students have 5 years to complete the program.

  • Careers and Outcomes

    Given the various professional applications of the communication skills and cultural competency developed through completion of the coursework, graduates of the Ed.M. in Language Education program have the flexibility to pursue a number of roles across a range of settings and industries. Beyond classroom and leadership roles in traditional education contexts, possible career outcomes of this program include academic researchers, educational specialists or consultants, copywriters, marketing consultants, or government-, community- or nonprofit-employed advisors.

  • Admissions Requirements

    On-Campus Ed.M. program:

    • Personal Statement 
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation
    • Official Undergraduate Transcripts
    • Graduate Transcripts (if applicable)

    100% Online Ed.M. program:

    • Personal Statement written in English
    • Writing Sample Written in English (academic paper preferred)
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation (faculty recommendations preferred) 
    • Official Undergraduate Transcripts
      • A strong preference is given to applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • 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.

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