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Master of Arts in Education in English as a Second Language (ESL)

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 UAB offers a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in English as a Second Language (ESL). This online MAEd/ESL program prepares graduate students to teach English to language learners of all ages and in diverse settings. Through this degree, you will learn state-of-the-art instructional strategies to meet the evolving needs of linguistically and culturally diverse learners in your community and beyond. 

 

 

 

 

 

We Offer Several Tracks For the MAED/ESL

Our MAEd/ESL program has three tracks - traditional, alternative, and TESOL. The first two tracks are for teaching ESL in PK-12 schools, and the third track is for teaching ESL in adult settings.

  • In the first two tracks (traditional and alternative), you will earn a master's degree from UAB and PK-12 teacher certification from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). These tracks are nationally recognized by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the TESOL International Association.
  • In the third track (TESOL), you will earn a master's degree from UAB for teaching ESL to adults in the United States and to learners of all ages in other countries. This track is aligned with TESOL’s Standards for ESL/EFL Teachers of Adults.

View checklists for our Master's of Education in ESL programs here.

 

Traditional Track - MAED/ESL (teaching PK-12)

The Traditional Track is for teachers who are already certified in Alabama and wish to be certified for teaching ESL. View information packet. The Traditional track has three options: 

  • ESL Certification - 30 credit hours

    ESL Certification (30 credit hours)

    To apply, you must have Class B certification in a teaching field such as early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education. After you complete the Traditional Track, you will take the Praxis #5362 in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). After passing the Praxis, you will apply to the ALSDE for earning your Class A Certification.

               
  • Dual Certification in ESL and Spanish (42 hours)

    Dual certification in ESL and Spanish (42 credit hours)

    To apply, you must have Class B certification in Spanish. After you complete this dual certification track, you will take the Praxis #5362 in ESOL. After passing the ESOL Praxis, you will apply to the ALSDE for earning Class A Certification in ESL and Spanish.

  • Dual certification in ESL and French (42 credit hours)

    Dual certification in ESL and French (42 credit hours)

    To apply, you must have Class B certification in French. After you complete this dual certification track, you will take the Praxis #5362 in ESOL. After passing the ESOL Praxis, you will apply to the ALSDE for earning Class A Certification in ESL and French.

Alternative Track of the MAEd/ESL (for teaching PK-12)

The Alternative Track is for applicants who wish to enter the teaching profession. You need a bachelor’s degree (any major) from a regionally accredited college and with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This track is usually called the Alternative Master's Program (AMP). It is also referred to as a fifth-year program, which means starting a teacher certification program in your fifth year of college.

  • ESL Certification (43 credit Hours)

    AMP ESL certification

    To apply, you must have a passing score on the Praxis #5362 in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). After you complete this alternative track, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESL.

               
  • Dual Certification in ESL and Spanish (52-55 hours)

    AMP Dual Certification in ESL and Spanish (52-55 hours)

    To apply, you must have a passing score on the ESOL Praxis #5362 and the Spanish Praxis #5195. After you complete this alternative track, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESL and Spanish.

  • Dual certification in ESL and French (52-55 credit hours)

    AMP Dual certification in ESL and French (52-55 credit hours)

    To apply, you must have a passing score on the ESOL Praxis #5362 and the French Praxis #5174. After you complete this alternative track, you will apply to the ALSDE for Class A certification in ESL and French.

 

TESOL Track of the MAEd/ESL (for teaching adults)

The TESOL Track is for applicants who wish to teach ESL to adults, either locally or abroad, in diverse contexts such as intensive English programs, language institutes, cultural associations, community centers, faith-based entities, refugee support groups, and workplace settings. Your bachelor’s degree can be in any major, but it must be from a regionally accredited college. You should have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

  • TESOL Track (33 credit houts)

    TESOL Track (33 credit houts)

    A certificate is usually not required to teach ESL to adults. However, in addition to your ESL master’s, you may wish to earn UAB’s Teaching English as an Additional Language graduate certificate. This certificate consists of 15 hours from the 33 hours required for the MAEd/ESL’s TESOL track.

               
 

Summary of Tracks and Options for Pursuing an MAEd/ESL

Following is a summary of these three tracks and their respective options:

Admission

  • Application: Graduate School
  • Deadlines: April 15 (summer), July 15 (fall), November 15 (spring)
  • Requirements: click below for each degree track
  • For more information, visit www.uab.edu/esl.

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