Teaching English as a Second Language Specialization, M.Ed.

The Southeastern region of the United States has experienced very rapid growth in the past two decades. Immigrants and their families are coming to this area and adding to our communities and schools. However, there is a shortage of teachers that are prepared to work with immigrant children, the children of immigrants, and adult English language learners.

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program at UNCW offers several programs to help alleviate this shortage, and you can be part of the solution!

The M.Ed. program is designed for certified K-12 teachers seeking a master’s degree in the field of ESL, and ESL teachers looking to increase expertise in second language acquisition, cultural differences, linguistics, and instructional strategies for meeting the education needs of learners for whom English is a second language.

The program is also appropriate for professionals interested in teaching English as a foreign language abroad in positions that do not require teacher certification.

Program participants will complete 33 hours of coursework and develop a teaching portfolio. Courses are offered entirely online to accommodate the schedules of practicing teachers. Successful completion of the program will enable teachers to add a graduate level ESL certification to their current licensure area, as well as a master’s degree.