This online licensure-based program, offered by the Womack Educational Leadership Department and leading to a Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Curriculum and Instruction and a concentration in English as a Second Language is designed for: a) candidates seeking the master’s degree with Add-on Endorsement in ESL, b) candidates seeking the Initial Professional License in ESL, and c) candidates seeking the Add-On Endorsement in ESL (without degree).

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with concentration and licensure in ESL focuses on preparing professional educators to meet the needs of students who are currently enrolled in U.S. public school classrooms in grades PreK-12. These populations may include students who represent immigrant populations, newly arriving non-English speakers, children of immigrants, and diverse populations with a variety of language and learning needs. The program is designed specifically for teachers and those who plan to teach second language learners in multilingual classrooms within the U.S.

Coursework is aligned with the Tennessee Department of Education Professional Licensure Standards for ESL and the CAEP Standards and Professional Dispositions for public school educators. The program takes a literacy-based approach to teaching ELs and is grounded in state and national education initiatives. The program is revised on an ongoing basis to reflect current practice.

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with Concentration and Licensure in ESL offers preparation to candidates to teach in public schools, private schools, and faith-based learning environments. The program also seeks to prepare teachers to work with early learners who are also second language learners in preschool settings, nursery school settings, and early learning classrooms. Candidates who successfully complete the program meet requirements for the Pre-K through 12th grade professional license in ESL.

In addition to teaching in public, private, faith-based, and preschool classrooms, the program enables graduates to pursue the following careers:

Adjunct professor
Curriculum writer for PreK-12
ESL curriculum design for PreK-12
ESL instructional consultant
ESL instructor
Faith-based ESL coordinator
Faith-based ESL teacher (missionary)
Lead teacher in ESL
PreK ESL coordinator