Curriculum and Instruction: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Concentration, M.Ed. – Online

TESL Concentration coursework can be finished in five semesters, which can be as short as two years with the use of our Summer session.

Suggested Course of Study:

You will delve into areas like educational research, curriculum theory and advanced methodology as you sharpen your understanding of curriculum and pedagogy and learn to apply technology to enhance learning.

See the catalog link at the end of this page for a full list of courses, which vary depending on your concentration area.

ESL Add-On Licensure

The TESL concentration is designed to support the preparation of teachers in the K12 school settings, university settings and/or abroad. Currently licensed teachers can choose to earn ESL Add-On Licensure in NC by completing the first 12 credit hours of the M.Ed. program. The add-on licensure sequence of courses is designed to equip experienced teachers to better support multilingual learners in their schools. Students interested in earning the Masters of Education degree can continue in the program by completing the remaining 18 credit hours.

• TESL 5103 – Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
• TESL 5104 – Authentic Assessment (3)
• TESL 5205 – Second Language Acquisition and Linguistics in K-12 Schools (3)
• TESL 6204 – Multicultural Education (3)

• Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
• A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
• Transcripts from all post-secondary education documenting an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale). Please inquire with our Enrollment Team for more details if your GPA does not meet this requirement.
• A statement of purpose.
• Three recommendations from those knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional disposition or work in schools/youth. Applicants will provide reference contact names and email addresses through the application portal.
• A North Carolina Initial Professional Licensure (IPL) in your respective level and content field, or the equivalent from another state, is required.

• August 1 (fall)
• December 1 (spring)
• May 1 (summer first half term)

Upon graduating from our M.Ed. program, you’ll be highly qualified to apply for a doctoral program, which prepares you for leadership positions within your school or district. Some students who complete a doctorate pursue careers as instructors at community colleges or four-year institutions.

UNC Charlotte alumni who completed the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in TESL can be found working in educational organizations such as:

• Local and national K-12 schools and districts
• Community colleges
• English language training institutes
• Local non-profit agencies
• Programs abroad (including places like Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Egypt)

Our graduates enter careers post-grad such as:

• Lead teachers, teacher trainers, or district leaders in ESL departments
• Teachers in private language schools
• Instructors in English language training institutes in community colleges or universities
• Teachers of ESL abroad in countries such as China, Japan, and Korea.
• Instructors or program directors at non-profit organizations that serve immigrants and refugees
• Consultants within federal and state government agencies

• Learn from faculty experts. Our faculty are passionate about teaching, their academic disciplines and their students. Faculty members also use their research and community service experience to bring new instructional methods and innovative educational trends into the classroom. Faculty members have received awards from the UNC Charlotte College of Education for Excellence in Research, Excellence in Teaching, Excellence in Innovation, and for their Sustained Service to Public Schools.
• Earn your online master’s degree in just two years (five semesters). You will average two courses per semester and complete the program in two years (including one full summer term). You may opt to take just one course per semester, which will lengthen the time it takes to earn your degree. You will complete a capstone experience through either a comprehensive portfolio or a research project, as assigned by your program advisor.
• Students do community-engaged outreach projects that support students and families outside of the school environment. In the Charlotte area, for example, our students work closely with school partners as well as with after-school and youth empowerment programs in the community.

NC Resident: $309.59 per credit hour
Non-Resident: $1,186.59 per credit hour