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Education

Elementary Education with ESL Preparation

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (1-6) with Add-License English as a Second Language Preparation: Teacher Residency Program

Teach both English speakers and those who speak English as a second language.

Classrooms are becoming more and more diverse. If you would like to teach elementary school children with a variety of cultures, languages, and backgrounds, this program will prepare you well for this high-need area.

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

In this teacher residency, you’ll start in summer and spend just over a year as a full-time participant immersed in the life of an urban Boston-area school. At the same time, you'll take online and face-to-face coursework. Some courses will take place at the school site, resulting in cost savings. You’ll gain a year’s worth of deep experience in how to teach in a bilingual or multilingual elementary classroom.  

Your program courses will cover elementary subject areas, curriculum development, literacy, English as a Second Language, and teaching students with diverse needs. The importance of equity and social justice is woven throughout your study. You and your faculty will work together to co-construct new knowledge and practices, and through self-reflection and examination of multiple perspectives, you'll emerge as an effective and compassionate educator. 

Finish this program with a master's degree and a Massachusetts Initial license in Elementary Education (1-6), ready to pursue a sought-after ESL license on your own. 

Upon completion of this program, qualified bilingual candidates may also apply for our 15-credit Bilingual Education Endorsement. Three satisfactorily completed courses from the add-license prep 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 anywhere else in New England. You'll benefit from the reputation of a school with exceptional programs, 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

Teacher residency program

46 Credits
Gain Skills and Expertise
Our Elementary Education with Add-License ESL Preparation 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.
faculty laura schall-leckrone
Elementary Education
Dr. Laura Schall-Leckrone
Laura is an associate professor and director of the ESL/TESOL programs. Previously, she was a bilingual teacher, a Spanish teacher, and K-12 curriculum director in urban and suburban settings. Her current work focuses on preparing teachers to teach linguistically diverse youth, and she is engaged in research with high school history teachers aimed at teaching bilingual learners skills of civic engagement. She publishes and presents frequently on ESL and TESOL subjects.
The degree employers are looking for.
Lesley graduates go on to rewarding careers in public and private schools, charter schools, 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.

Graduate Elementary Education Programs

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Elementary Education with ESL Preparation
  • Tuition
    On-Campus Tuition $925/credit x 18
    $16,650
    Online Tuition $750/credit x 12
    $9,000
    In-District Tuition $300/credit x 16
    $4,800
  • 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 a few quick questions, 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 a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.