866-776-0331
English Second Language
Children of immigrants are increasing in number throughout the United States, and the English language continues to be widely used as a second language around the world. How are you preparing yourself to meet these opportunities and challenges? The English as a Second Language specialization will prepare you to integrate communication techniques to successfully instruct students in English proficiency and meet the needs of all of your second language learners. You will also develop the skills and knowledge to put these methods and approaches into practice within the setting of your classroom, school, district and state.
Certification and Licensing
The School of Education serves educational leaders by providing online graduate studies in education to reach worldwide populations. The MEd program is designed to reach national and international markets and does not purport to provide licensure or certification in any particular state or country. Certification requirements vary by state. Students are advised to contact their state department of education or local school district for guidance in obtaining certification or licensure, or for approval in fulfilling district level incentive programs.
There are several reasons why an educator would want to pursue a graduate degree in education that does not lead to state licensing or certification.
Reasons may include:
- "Move up" steps on the salary schedule.
- Improve skills and professionalism in general or to pursue a ”leadership” position outside the classroom (school-based or district level).
- Advance as a ”teacher leader” through a graduate degree (already has a bachelor's degree and certification).
- Meet the needs of increasingly diverse students.
- Work in a traditional K-12 classroom environment (trainer, educational consultant, etc).
Completion Period for Master's Degrees
Northcentral University allows 5 years to complete all 30 credit hour master's programs. Normal time to complete varies depending upon the rate courses are taken and credits transferred.
Course Length
Existing MEd students may opt to switch to eight-week courses by contacting their Academic Advisor. Once existing MEd students have opted for eight-week courses, they must receive approval from the Office of the Dean to switch back to a program of 12-week courses. All eight-week courses are indicated by a "-8" (dash eight) at the end of the course code.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
ED5022/ED5022-8 | Educational Policy and Practice | This Master’s level course focuses on research and theory in developing effective schools. Topics include: aligning contemporary educational practice with Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards, collaboration, communication, decision-making, and conflict management. Current educational trends will be addressed to promote the establishment of effective educational climates for teaching and learning. |
Specialization Course 1 | ||
ED5001/ED5001-8 | Contemporary Issues in Education | This course examines the major contemporary issues impacting education. Students evaluate the issues, attempt solutions, and develop personal professional positions. In a broader context, the education profession is affected by numerous and diverse issues that are highly political, emotional, and complex. It is imperative that students understand the issues; the effects the issues have on the profession, as well as formulating a personal response to the issues. |
ED5034/ED5034-8 | School and Community Relations | This course introduces educators to essential competencies and considerations needed to build and sustain positive, productive relationships with members of school communities and the external communities in which schools reside. Emphasis is placed on the development of effective communication policies and practices to instill public confidence in community schools, improve school quality, and improve student learning. |
Specialization Course 2 | ||
ED5023/ED5023-8 | Multicultural Relationships in Educational Organizations | The effects of cultural diversity on organizational behavior are complex and powerful. What is diversity and what are the goals in achieving a more diverse society? This course examines the educational community's thinking on race, language, culture, gender and disability in the educational setting. |
Specialization Course 3 | ||
Specialization Course 4 | ||
ED6002/ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
EDU5000 / EDU5000-8 | Foundations for Graduate Study | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Graduate level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED5008-8 | Teaching Diverse students | As the United States continues to experience increasing cultural diversity, todays educators must become proficient in reaching diverse and exceptional students. Additionally, individuals differ in gender, sexual orientation, age, physical, and mental abilities. The purpose of this Master's level course is to address the nature of cultural diversity, its sources, and its importance to educators. Students will understand how to adapt instructions to the needs of diverse students, taking into consideration epistemological and axiological perspectives unique to each culture. |
ED5023-8 | Multicultural Relationships in Educational Organizations | The effects of cultural diversity on organizational behavior are complex and powerful. What is diversity and what are the goals in achieving a more diverse society? This Master's level course examines the educational community's thinking on race, language, culture, gender and disability in the educational setting. |
ESL5001-8 | Foundations of Instruction for Non-English Language Background Students | This Master's level course establishes the rationale for English as a Second Language and bilingual education, preparing reflective practitioners and educational leaders to address issues and concerns critically and analytically in the classroom. It provides a comprehensive survey of bilingual/ESL strategies for non-English language background students while expanding the students understanding of best educational practice. Students will explore models of bilingual education and language development. |
ESL5003-8 | Assessment of Linguistically Diverse Students | The assessment of English students, or other linguistic minority students, is complicated regarding the intervening effects of primary and second language proficiency and actual content knowledge. This Master's level course will focus on the most pressing needs for teachers of linguistic minority students in an English instructional context. In addition, the course will cover the assessment of English language proficiency for linguistic minority students, and multiple measures for the academic assessment of linguistic minority students in classrooms. We will review and critique several standardized language assessment tools, as well as informal classroom based methods for assessing language proficiency. Students will explore the role of federal, state and regional assessment and accountability policies as they pertain to linguistic minority students. |
ESL5005-8 | English as a Second Language | This Master's level course is designed to further educational leaders and reflective practitioners understanding of traditional and current identification and assessment practices in bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in education. The course also analyzes and synthesizes methods and techniques for language, academic assessment, and placement through speaking, reading, interpersonal, and technology of linguistically diverse students in English and native language. |
ESL5006-8 | ESL and Bilingual Instructional Methodologies | This Master's level course focuses on instructional strategies and methodologies for the bilingual-bicultural student. The course covers teaching oral language and literacy skills (reading/writing) and the integration of culture in reading and writing in the content areas. Students will explore teaching in multicultural context for oral language development, adapting and developing lesson designs and materials, facilitating and the reading process, coaching the developing second language writer, and strategies for teaching literature. |
ESL5007-8 | Second Language Acquisition | This Master's level course focuses on presenting an overview of the field of SLA and on important practice and research in second language acquisition (SLA). SLA research examines the way in which humans acquire second, third, fourth, etc., languages. In this course, you will examine and think about student language, read summaries of published research on student language, and consider the implications of published research for applied linguistics. |
ESL5008-8 | Building Parent, School & Community Partnerships for ESL Students | In this course, students will master knowledge, skill sets, leadership skills, and competencies to increase family and community involvement in their schools. Students, administrators, and other educational service providers will utilize analytical approaches and strategies to improve communication and minority parent involvement in bilingual education, ESL, ESOL, migrant education, and Title I programs. |
ESL5010-8 | Practicum for ESL/Bilingual-Bicultural Education | This course will allow students to gain supervised experience teaching English as a Second Language to students. Focus will be placed on the development of effective communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, as well as interpersonal and technology skills. All practicum experiences will be supervised through virtual or web-based activities. This course is highly recommended for students who wish to work with English as a Second Language students in the classroom or for those with limited teaching experience. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
ED6002 / ED6002-8 | Action Research Capstone | This graduate course emphasizes practical research skills utilized by education practitioners. Students will develop an action research project based on the scientific method and concepts presented in ED6001. The culminating product will reflect critical thinking, graduate level writing skills, and correct APA format. This course is open only to students pursuing the Master of Education. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Master of Education tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your MEd program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s MEd costs below:
- Per credit cost: $544
- Per 3 credit course cost: $1,631
- Program cost: $16,310
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
