Our degree program 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 accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
More Information
Our degree program prepares you 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. The demand for such skills is growing across the country. You won't need to demonstrate language proficiency in a second language. However, if you decide to earn either the bilingual endorsement or the ESL endorsement, you will need to fulfill the language proficiency and teacher certification requirements of these endorsements.
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 |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
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 (21 units)
*Both the BME 608 fieldwork course and the BME 698 capstone course should be taken near the completion of this 30-unit program. Candidates must complete a comprehensive examination during their fieldwork course.
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.