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Education

Early Childhood Education with ESL Preparation

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (PreK-2) with Add-License English as a Second Language Preparation: Teacher Residency Program

Teach and inspire young children, both English speakers and English learners.

In this yearlong teacher residency program, you'll immerse yourself in PreK-2 student teaching at a school in Somerville, Massachusetts, an urban district with 5,000 students. At the same time, you'll take courses at the school site, online, and on Lesley's nearby Cambridge campus. You'll also get the preparation you need to pursue an English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching license on your own.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

Take courses covering literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and assessment. Explore language acquisition, Sheltered English Instruction, and linguistics, and use those skills in diverse classrooms. And because Lesley believes in the inclusion of all children, you'll also study how to create an anti-bias and safe classroom community.

Co-construct new knowledge, and engage in the kind of self-reflection that leads to greater cultural awareness. Turn your desire to teach young children into a career as a skilled, dedicated, and caring educator. You'll emerge from this program with a master's degree and a Massachusetts Initial license in Early Childhood (PreK-2), ready to inspire all students and to pursue a sought-after ESL license.

Upon completion of this M.Ed. program, qualified bilingual candidates may also apply for our 15-credit Bilingual Education Endorsement. Three satisfactorily completed courses from the add-license preparation in the M.Ed. may be used toward the endorsement, meaning you will take only two additional courses and 75 additional hours of field experience in a bilingual classroom.

Come study with dedicated faculty at the place that educates more teachers than anyone else in New England. You'll benefit from the reputation of a school with exceptional programs in Massachusetts, where school principals prefer to hire Lesley graduates and believe they're the most prepared for the classroom. (Source: Radius Global Market Research, 2017)

Start in June.

Apply by May 1 to start this program in June, and complete it in just over one year. Contact a graduate admissions counselor for more information: 617.349.8300 or luadmissions@lesley.edu

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time teacher residency program in Somerville, MA

46 Credits
Gain Skills and Expertise
Our early childhood program prepares you to:
$86,755
Average salary for teachers in Massachusetts (2021-2022), according to the National Education Association.
#1
Superintendents and other hiring managers across Massachusetts prefer to hire Lesley graduates, reporting that they are best prepared to enter the classroom on day one. (Source: Radius Global Market Research)
Top Schools
Massachusetts ranks as the best state to be a teacher, with some of the highest performing schools and best salaries in the country, according to US News.
Rita Gordon
Early Childhood
Rita Gordon
Rita Gordon is program director of the Early Childhood M.Ed. with ESL preparation. She is also director of the math online M.Ed. and the elementary programs at Lesley, and co-director of the teacher residency programs. From her many years in education administration, PreK through adult, she brings a rich skill set and a commitment to public schools and positive learning environments.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, daycare centers, and beyond. That's because our programs are ranked #1 for preparing teachers with the skills Massachusetts employers are seeking, including:
Important Licensure Information

All Lesley University educator licensure programs comply with current Massachusetts educational requirements, as specified. In addition, Massachusetts participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, which makes it possible for an educator to have their Massachusetts license/s recognized across the United States. Depending on your professional goals, where you reside or plan to teach, and the licensure structures that exist within that state, there are diverse pathways to licensure that may be relevant. In accordance with Lesley University’s institutional participation in SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and with federal regulations, Lesley University strongly encourages prospective applicants who intend to pursue licensure in a state other than Massachusetts review the Lesley University Licensure and Credentialing page for more information.

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Early Childhood Education with ESL Preparation
  • Tuition
    On-Campus Tuition $925/credit x 24
    $22,200
    In-District Tuition $300/credit x 16
    $4,800
    Online Tuition $750/credit x 6
    $4,500
  • Fees
    Affiliation Fee
    $925
    MAP ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $750
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer one quick question and get your customized application guide.

Your degree is an investment, and we're committed to ensuring its value. That's why we offer the best teacher education in Massachusetts at competitive tuition rates.
We'll help ensure your degree is as affordable as possible. Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer one quick question and get your customized application guide.