Multilingual Education (M.Ed.)

Lead transformative education for a multilingual, international, and interconnected world.

campus

Quick links

This program was formerly known as Multilingual Learner Education. The World Languages program has been made into a pathway within this program.

Program Overview

Join an innovative multilingual M.Ed. program designed for future leaders in global education. This unique program blending research in applied linguistics and learning sciences with cutting-edge, technology-enhanced, practical application empowers you to understand how people learn in multilingual and multicultural contexts.

Expand your expertise in multilingual and multimodal learning, language sciences, and learner-centered design and pedagogy, with the option to earn licensure in English as an Additional Language and/or World Languages. 

Through immersive experiences with learners and communities, you’ll develop the skills to teach, design programs, conduct impactful research, and build meaningful connections worldwide. Graduate ready to lead and shape the future of education in our interconnected, multilingual world. 

Alumni career paths include: 

K-12 Education:

  • English Language Development Teacher, STEM Preparatory Academy in Nashville, TN
  • Chinese Teacher, Ensworth School in Nashville, TN
  • 1st-grade teacher, Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN
  • Upper School Engineering Teacher, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida
  • Chinese as a second language teacher, Asia Pacific International School in Hau’ula, Hawaii
  • Instructional Coach for English Learner Teachers, Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN

Program Coordination, Corporations, & Management:

  • Communications Lead, Schneider Electric
  • Program Coordinator, Tennessee American-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
  • Program Coordinator, Tennessee Immigrants & Refugee Rights Coalition
  • Program Coordinator, Vanderbilt University

Higher Education & Research:

  • Director of Training, Xi'an International Studies University
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of Maryland
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of Florida
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of California
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of Massachusetts
  • Ph.D. Candidate, University of Auckland
  • Senior Success Advisor, Northern Michigan University
  • Academic Skills Specialist, Providence College
  • Assistant Professor, Ithaca College
  • Assistant Professor, Clemson University

Consulting, Fellowships, & Specialized Programs:

  • Consultant, New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation
  • Teacher, English Program in Korea (EPIK), Republic of Korea
  • English Teaching Assistant, Fulbright Program
  • #5

    Best Curriculum and Instruction Program, U.S. News & World Report 2025

Wenna Li, M.Ed.

"The program helped me to visualize what ideal classroom teaching looks like and how everyone, including teachers, could benefit from it."

Wenna Li, M.Ed.

Program Facts

Program Director: Shannon Daniel
Admissions Coordinator: Erica Bodden
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours:  30-33

Application Dates

  • Application Deadline 1

    January 3

  • Application Deadline 2

    February 3

  • 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.

Request Information

Program Curriculum

This program offers multiple pathways:

  • Applied Languages and Literacies Studies (30 credits). Build expertise in applied linguistics and language sciences research. 
  • Teaching Multilingual Learners: Initial Licensure (33 credits). Earn initial licensure to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in PK-12 settings. 
  • Teaching Multilingual Learners (30 credits). Add ESL endorsement to your initial teaching licensure and/or earn specialization in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 
  • World Language Education with ESL Endorsement (33 credits). Earn initial licensure to teach Spanish, French, German, Chinese, or Latin, with an added ESL endorsement. 

Coursework

  • Sample Courses
    • EDUC6520: Foundations of Multilingual Education
    • EDUC6530: Educational Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition
    • EDUC6550: Assessment with Multilingual Learners 
    • EDUC6541: Practicum with Multilingual Learners
    • EDUC6560: Language Curriculum Design
    • EDUC6565: Scholarly Writing and Thinking 
    • WLED6370: Teaching World Languages in K12 Schools
    • EDUC6595: Qualitative Language Analysis 
    • EDUC6460: Language, Diversity, and Education
    • EDUC6575: Multilingualism and Multimodality

     

    Initial Licensure in English as a Second Language or World Languages requires 33 credits. The M.Ed. without initial licensure is 30 credits.

Selected Faculty Research

Shannon Daniel, associate professor of the practice of education

Shannon Daniel, associate professor of the practice of education

Professor Daniel researches the contributions and strategies of resettled refugee youth, how refugees leverage their skills and strategies to succeed in their country of resettlement, and how teachers can improve their instruction of multilingual learners across elementary and secondary schools.

Chris da Silva, professor of the practice of education

Chris da Silva, professor of the practice of education

Professor da Silva takes an ecological perspective in analyzing multilingual language learners' access to learning. She not only investigates young children's learning experiences in classrooms, but also researches family and community resources and how teachers can learn about and leverage these resources to support students.

Faculty

    No matches