Ed.M. with English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher Certification
- Degrees & Programs
- Download the program guide (includes course list and application requirements)
- Contact Ken Tufo, Student Counselor in the Office of Student and Academic Services
Program Overview
The Ed.M. program with (K-12) ESL teacher certification is designed for individuals who already possess a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue initial ESL 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, and classroom organization, but with specific attention paid to how they can be applied to improve the educational outcomes of English language and bilingual learners. Students will learn the process of second language acquisition, practice techniques of teaching ESL in a classroom setting, and develop their understanding of language learning as a social process. 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 in English as a Second Language Education.
For more information about this program:
Program Details
Application Deadline
Februrary 1, 2025
Entry Term(s)
Fall
Program Level
Masters
Program Type
Degree + Teacher Certification
Format
On-campus
Credits
59
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What You’ll Learn
Students enrolled in the Ed.M. with ESL Certification program will graduate with a thorough understanding of the process of second language acquisition, specifically regarding learning ESL in a classroom setting and how it varies by age level. They will study language analysis involving the phonology, morphology, and syntax of American English and examine how it, along with American culture, compares with other languages and societies. Through completion of the coursework, students will develop techniques of teaching ESL in a classroom setting and possess comprehensive knowledge of language assessment and test development procedures as they apply to ESL 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.
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Program Requirements
This program typically takes 2 years to complete and includes:
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- 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
- Students seeking certification in ESL are required to pass an Oral Proficiency Interview and a Written Proficiency Test in English 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.
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Careers and Outcomes
Graduates exiting the Ed.M. program with ESL teacher certification will be prepared for immediate employment as an ESL education practitioner in New Jersey K-12 public, private, and charter schools. With increasing diversity in the school system and a growing need for ESL and bilingual-bicultural educators, students will have distinguished themselves from other certified teachers and may be 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 learners from infancy to adulthood.
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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
- 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.