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Program Overview
The Multilingual Learner Education (MLE) M.Ed. program (formerly the English Language Learners program) prepares pre- and in-service teachers to work with individuals who are learning additional languages, study the development of multilingualism across the lifespan, and engage in applied linguistics, language, and literacies research. Our mission is to build a more peaceful, just, and equitable world through the teaching and learning of multiple languages. Together, educators and researchers in and beyond this program aim to promote multilingual learners’ academic and professional success, communicative competence, intercultural and cross-disciplinary understandings, and positive identities.
The program offers opportunities to pursue (a) initial licensure or endorsement in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in U.S. public schools; (b) a TESOL specialization (without endorsement or licensure) for teaching English in global contexts; or (c) a focus in applied linguistics for students interested in research-oriented opportunities or further education.
Sample courses include: Foundations for Multilingual Learner Education, Scholarly Writing and Thinking, Multimodality and Multilingualism, and Educational Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition.
Careers
Of job-seeking MLE graduates, 100% were employed or attending graduate school within four months of graduation. Recent career placements include:
- Chinese Teaching Fellow, Yu Ying Public Charter School, Washington, D.C.
- Program Coordinator, Tennessee American-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Nashville, Tennessee
- ESOL Teacher Wekiva High School Orlando, Florida
- Bilingual Education Associate, New Oasis International Education, Herndon, Virginia
- Director of Training. Xi'an International Studies University, Xi'an, China
- ESL/Academic Specialist at Providence College
- First-grade teacher in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
- Doctoral students and (later) assistant professors or researchers in Institutions of Higher Education around the globe
Program Facts
Program Director: Shannon Daniel
Admissions Coordinator: Erica Bodden
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: The MLE M.Ed. program track with licensure is 33 credits. The two other tracks without initial licensure require 30 credits.
Application Dates
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Application Deadline 1
January 3
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Application Deadline 2
February 3
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Rolling Admissions
After February 3
*Applications received after the Feb 3 second deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space and funds allow.
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Program Curriculum
The graduate degree in Multilingual Learner Education includes a minimum of 30 credit hours of required and elective classes in areas of your interest.
You'll be prepared to teach and/or conduct research with multilingual learners, educators, and communities.