The ESL graduate certificate prepares candidates for a career as an English as a second language (ESL) classroom teacher, ESL resource teacher, or a teacher responsible for providing ESL instruction and support in the regular classroom or special settings. Candidates gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions for developing ESL skills across reading, writing, and listening, and for involving community and families as partners. They will also leave the program with a historical perspective of English learners in the U.S. Candidates will develop specific skills for assessing English learner proficiency and content area knowledge, and knowledge of various program models. They will become familiar with current research in ESL instruction, and understand how theory can be structured in classroom practice to develop the oral language and literacy skills of all students.
This program is nationally recognized by the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
More Information
Are you preparing to become a teacher in the Southwest or another multicultural area? Do you want to gain the skills necessary to serve students from different backgrounds? If so, this program can help prepare you to serve bilingual and multicultural students in the classroom.
Our degree program prepares you for a career as a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) classroom teacher, bilingual or ESL resource teacher, or a teacher responsible for providing bilingual or ESL instruction and support in the regular classroom or special settings. The demand for such skills is growing across the country. You must demonstrate intermediate language proficiency in a second language if you want to teach in bilingual settings. Our program can also help you meet the Arizona Bilingual Endorsement requirements.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Candidates in this program of study are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to enroll in the fieldwork and capstone courses.
Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following courses:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 30 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Arizona Certification/Endorsement | Prepares student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
Our degree program prepares candidates for a career as dual language or immersion teacher or as a teacher responsible for providing dual language instruction and support in the regular classroom or special settings. Candidates gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions for developing dual language skills across reading, writing, and listening, and for involving community and families as partners. They will also leave the program with a historical perspective of bilingual education in the U.S. Candidates will develop specific skills for assessing bilingual learner proficiency, home language proficiency, content area knowledge, and knowledge of various program models. They will become familiar with current research in bilingual and ESL instruction, and understand how theory can be structured in classroom practice to develop the bilingualism and biliteracy of all students.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Candidates will:
1. Know, understand and use the major theories and research related to the structure and acquisition of language
2. Apply major theories and research to help English language learners develop language and literacy and achieve in the content area.
3. Know, understand and use major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct supportive learning environments for ELLs.
4. Know, understand and apply concepts, research and best practices to plan classroom instruction for ELLs.
5. Demonstrate understanding of issues and concepts of assessment.
6. Use a variety of standards-based language proficiency instruments to show language growth and to inform their instruction.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Take the following 30 units:
Required Courses (18 units)
*Both the BME 608 fieldwork course and the BME 698 capstone course should be taken near the completion of this 30-unit program.
Foundations (6 units)
**If you have not completed a Foundations course prior to admission to this program, then you must complete one of EDF 500, EDF 670, EDF 671, EDF 672, EDF 673, or EDF 677. Other suitable electives may be substituted with the advisor's written approval.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.