Join us for Fall Open House - Oct. 15 and Nov. 18
This event will feature programming for our undergraduate, graduate, and Threshold programs. A vibrant campus community and access to endless opportunities—Lesley has it all. It's where student cohorts become lifelong catalysts, solving for today's complexities with full hearts and open minds.
Education

TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education

Master of Education (M.Ed.): Initial Licensure (PreK–6 or 5-12), On-Campus Program

Teach multilingual learners.

In this program, you'll learn the most effective ways to teach multilingual PreK-12 students who are new to the culture, language, and content of schools in the United States. You'll develop an appreciation of the unique identities of all children. You'll also discover research-based best practices for helping emergent bilinguals—English language learners—take part in a literacy-rich classroom through listening and speaking, reading and writing, and the arts. 

REGISTER: M.Ed. in Education Virtual Information Session

You'll learn to teach effectively through coursework on culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy, first and second language acquisition, bilingualism and biliteracy, and scaffolding content and language demands of academic tasks and texts. 

With faculty, you'll explore and co-create arts-integrated lessons that lead to increased student achievement, and understand the important differences between language differences and learning disabilities. Learn how to work effectively in culturally and linguistically diverse environments in collaboration with multilingual families and school communities to enact a commitment to social justice.

Then, you'll put theory to practice in an immersive student teaching experience in a bilingual or multilingual classroom, and graduate with a master's degree and a Massachusetts Initial license in English as a Second Language at either the PreK-6 or 5-12 grade level.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

33 Credits
Gain skills and expertise
Our TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual program prepares you to:
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.

$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.
Meg Margaret Burns
Meg Burns
Meg teaches in the English Language Learning/TESOL programs. She specializes in the theoretical and pedagogical foundations of bilingual education, with a focus on Spanish-English paired literacy instruction in elementary Dual Language schools. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education and is a member of the Bilingual Education Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. She is also the president of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education.
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:

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education
  • Tuition
    Online Tuition: $750/credit x 18
    $13,500
    On-Campus: $925/credit x 15
    $13,875
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $825
  • 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.

  • Tuition
    Online Tuition: $562.50/credit x 18
    $10,125
    On-Campus: $693.75 x 15
    $10,406
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $825
  • 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.

  • Tuition
    Online Tuition: $750/credit x 18
    $13,500
    On-Campus: $750/credit x 15
    $11,250
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $850
    Map ePortfolio Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $825
  • 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 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 a quick question and get your customized application guide.