The MSE in English Language Learners (ELL) is designed to develop the candidate’s understandings of the process of additional language acquisition as well as the unique needs of educators working with or planning a career working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Each candidate must fulfill a practicum.
Program Options
The MSE in ELL has two options available. The first option is focused on preparing K-12 teachers for working with ELL students. The second option is designed for those wishing to teach English abroad or ELL at the college level.
A graduate with a Master of Science in Education degree in English Language Learners (ELL) will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to achieve the following professional skills:
- Demonstrate an understanding of current conceptual and theoretical trends, issues and concerns in the fields of TESOL and Applied Linguistics including an understanding of the English language as a system and how additional languages are acquired.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify and present effective classroom applications of language concepts and theories for teaching ELLs and to design a range of materials and tools to meet a variety of learner needs.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how culture affects students’ learning.
Admission Requirements, TESL Option
To be accepted into the Master of Science in Education in English Language Learners (ELL) Education degree program, TESL Option, in the School of Teaching and Learning , a student must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75. Applicants who do not meet this criteria must design, with a department advisor or graduate coordinator, a conditional program (including the program’s research course). International applicants should meet these requirements in comparable ways. All students seeking the MSE in the TESL option need to show grammar competency. This can be done by having completed a prior grammar course, passing a test, or enrolling in ENGL 5110 . For acceptance into this program, non-native speakers of English must score above 85 on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or earn a score of 7.0 or above on the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Connection to Certification
Students interested in the Missouri ELL certification endorsement are advised to consult with their advisor, the Program Coordinator, and the UCM director of Clinical Services and Certification. Additional courses may be required for the Missouri ELL certification endorsement, dependent on transcript analysis of undergraduate and graduate work.
