ESL and Bilingual Education, Master of Education

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, and professional dispositions are demonstrated through student (or candidate) performance in all major requirement 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 Endorsement	May prepare student for Arizona Endorsement.
Foreign Language	A foreign language may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Some online/blended coursework	Required
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

This 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 knowledge, skills, and dispositions for developing ESL skills across reading, writing, and listening, and for involving communities and families as partners. They will 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, as well as 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 oral language and literacy skills of all students.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Know, understand, and use the major theories and research related to the structure and acquisition of language. 
• Apply major theories and research to help English Language Learners (ELLs) develop language and literacy and achieve in the content area. 
• 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. 
• Know, understand, and apply concepts, research, and best practices to plan classroom instruction for ELLs. 
• Demonstrate understanding of issues and concepts of assessment. 
• Use a variety of standards-based language proficiency instruments to show language growth and to inform their instruction.

Graduate Admission Information

• 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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
  
  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.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

• • Teaching Certificate - if the applicant has one

• For those applying for fall 2026 and beyond, the following will be required:

• • Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement*

• • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

• • Teaching Certificate - if the applicant has one

• *See the application for details.

Master's Requirements

• This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

  • Required Courses: 21 units
  • Foundations: 6 units
  • Electives: 3 units

  
  Take the following 30 units:

  • At least 50 percent of your courses must be 600-level or above. 
  • A maximum of two 400-level courses may be taken for graduate credit in the program of study.

• Required Courses (21 units)

  • BME 530, BME 538, BME 631, BME 634, BME 637 (15 units)
  • BME 608 (3 units)
    • Taken near the completion of this 30-unit program.
  • BME 698 (3 units)
    • Taken near the completion of this 30-unit program.

• Foundations (6 units)

  • Select from the following (3 units):
    • ANT 569
    • BME 545
    • EDR 610, EDR 611
    • EPS 525
  • Select from the following (3 units):
    • EPS 596, EPS 605, EPS 610, EPS 611

• Electives (3 units)

  • Select from the following (3 units):
    • BME 520, BME 531, BME 537
    • EDF 500, EDF 670, EDF 671, EDF 672, EDF 673, EDF 677
    • ENG 504, ENG 518
    • ESE 520

Additional Information

• For additional information about obtaining a Bilingual Education Endorsement or an English as a Second Language Endorsement in Arizona, please visit the Arizona Department of Education Endorsement Requirements website.

• Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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