2017-2018

ESL and Bilingual Education - ESL, Master of Education

Department of Educational Specialties

College of Education

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 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).

  • 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:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan 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

Purpose Statement

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.

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. 

Additional Admission Requirements

  • 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:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    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.

    • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
    • Teaching Certificate - if the applicant has one
Master's Requirements

  • **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.

  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    At least 50% of your courses must be at the 600-level or above. A maximum of two 400-level courses may be taken for graduate credit in the program of study. In addition, you must be admitted to this degree program before finishing your first 12 units of graduate work.

    This program includes all the coursework requirements for the Arizona ESL Endorsement. Students interested in pursuing this endorsement should choose BME 420 as an elective.

    For this plan, you need not demonstrate proficiency in a second language, but you must have had some second-language learning experience. However, if you decide to apply for either the Bilingual Endorsement - Arizona Department of Education or the English as a Second Language Endorsement - Arizona Department of Education, you do need to fulfill the language proficiency and teacher certification requirements established by the Arizona Department of Education. This requirement may be met in several ways, including six (6) semester hours of study in a foreign language, passing the Spanish Proficiency exam, or Tribal documentation of proficiency in a Native Language. All endorsements are granted through the Arizona Department of Education.

    All endorsements are granted through the Arizona Department of Education.

  • 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.