Teaching: English Language Learners (ELL) M.S.Ed.
CIP: 130201
Program Admission Requirements
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript or an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.25 GPA on eight hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
- A valid teaching certificate.
- Successful completion of the Analytical Writing Assessment* (read, summarize and critique a pre-selected scholarly journal article that is evaluated using a writing scoring guide based on the Modified CUNY Scales) conducted by the department during the first trimester of enrollment. If the student has taken the GRE, a score of 3.5 or higher on the Writing section may be substituted for the Analytical Writing Assessment requirement. A student who has successfully completed the ELL certificate program is exempt from the writing assessment.
- Alternative GRE requirement for experienced teachers:
- In-service teachers (with more than two years of teaching experience – PRAXIS II or Missouri Content Assessment score and one letter of recommendation from a current administrator who has completed a performance-based annual evaluation of the candidate’s ability).
- In-service teachers who were certified prior to the PRAXIS II or Missouri Content Assessment requirement – submit two letters of recommendation (one from a current administrator and one from a professional colleague; the administrator must have completed a performance-based annual evaluation of the applicant’s ability).
- GRE requirements:
- New teachers (one–two years of teaching experience) or international students – take and pass GRE (minimum combined score of 280 on the verbal and quantitative sections).
*The Analytical Writing Assessment has been revised to include a measure of reading and critical thinking.
Course Requirements
The M.S.Ed. in Teaching ELL is a 32-credit hour program that includes the required courses that meet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification requirements (21 hours), the core graduate course requirements (6 hours), and additional subject field and elective requirements (5 hours).
Certification Course Requirements (21)
| EDUC 61569 | Multiculturalism in Education | 3 |
| OR | |
| EDCI 62687 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| | |
| EDCI 62504 | Creating Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDCI 62580 | Methods and Techniques for Teaching English Language Learners (ELL/ESOL) | 3 |
| EDCI 62582 | Linguistics for Teaching ELL/ESOL | 3 |
| EDCI 62680 | Theories of Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDCI 62682 | Materials and Assessment for Teaching English Language Learners (ELL/ESOL) | 3 |
| EDCI 62686 | Practicum: Teaching English Language Learners (ELL/ESOL) | 3 |
Core Requirements (6)
Subject Field Requirements (3)
| English course (500 or above) | |
| OR | |
| EDCI 62690 | English for English Language Learners | 3 |
Electives (2-3)
| EDUC 61665 | School Law | 3 |
| EDCI 62540 | Behavior Management Techniques | 3 |
| Modern Language (500-level or above) | 3 |
| Other unspecified courses with advisor approval | 2-3 |
Total Credit Hours: 32