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Master's in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education

If you want to develop the knowledge and skills to teach English to students from diverse cultural backgrounds, discover the MS in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education program at Indiana Wesleyan University. With this master’s level program, you can build on your bachelor’s education to become a more effective communicator, collaborator, and leader to students with diverse needs. 

Why Pursue My MS in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education at IWU?

There are several benefits to earning your teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Education degree at IWU. With us, you can receive a nationally recognized, accredited education, and a complete system of supportive student services. We provide tech support, tutoring, and full-time chaplains to all our students. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career teaching English as a new language. Plus, we lock in the cost of your education once you start this program. This eliminates the worry of unexpected cost increases once you start classes.

What Will I Learn in This MS in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education Program?

This program is designed for students who want to become an English as a Second Language (ESL) Education teacher. Courses span a wide variety of critical topics, including language acquisition, instructional strategies, classroom assessment, and more. All your classes will be taught by faculty with years of experience teaching students who are learning English for the first time. Their added insight can give you the confidence and skills to make a greater impact and facilitate positive outcomes for students learning the English language.   

What Makes IWU Different?

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Tuition & Aid

30 Credit Hours

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$525/ Credit Hour

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Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.

What You'll Study

The curriculum for this MS in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education covers how to:

  • Articulate the progress of language acquisition and development and the role this process plays in students' educational experience
  • Understand how students' primary culture plays a crucial role in their adaptation to school
  • Facilitate effective instruction by creating a supportive environment and implementing the appropriate activities for English language learners
  • Apply formal assessments and informal assessment strategies to optimize learner development
  • Build partnerships with students, colleagues, and other stakeholders to benefit CLD/ENL students
  • Apply biblical principles into your professional trajectory

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

EDEL-510,EDEL-520,EDEL-530,EDEL-540,EDEL-550,EDUC-510,EDUC-520,EDUC-530,EDUC-600,EDUC-630

After Graduation

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Potential Careers

  • Department Chair in ESL
  • ESL Adjunct Faculty or Instructor for Bachelor’s Degrees
  • ESL Instructor or Teacher
  • Program Coordinator in ESL

Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program FAQs

Indiana Wesleyan University’s ESL faculty bring expertise in linguistics, curriculum design, and multilingual education. Dr. Mirta Ramirez-Espinola specializes in curriculum and instruction, literacy, and educational leadership, with a passion for mentoring educators. Dr. Elisabeth Van Beek holds a doctorate in education with a focus on linguistics and TESOL and specializes in culturally responsive teaching for multilingual learners. Dr. Kelsey Carroll focuses on instructional design and online learning, with expertise in developing effective ESL curriculum for adult learners. Faculty bring both academic research and real-world teaching experience into the classroom.
The program emphasizes research-based frameworks such as SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) and WIDA standards, which are widely used in K–12 education for teaching English learners. Students gain practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners in diverse classroom settings.
These ESL programs prepare graduates for careers as ESL teachers, English learner (EL) specialists, multilingual learner (ML) specialists, and English as a New Language (ENL) educators in K–12 schools. Graduates may also teach English as a second or foreign language in community programs, language institutes, international settings, or private education environments. Non-licensure pathways focus on roles outside traditional public school systems.
Key courses include EDEL-510, EDEL-520, and EDEL-530 for licensure pathways, which focus on language acquisition, instructional strategies, and assessment. For non-licensure pathways, courses such as EDEL-515, EDEL-545, and EDEL-535 emphasize teaching methods and curriculum development for English learners.
Graduates typically pursue roles as ESL or English learner specialists in K–12 schools or teaching positions in language programs and international settings.
Students complete clinical or field experiences in real classroom settings, allowing them to apply ESL teaching strategies with English learners under supervision.
Coursework is completed fully online. However, required clinical experiences are completed in person, typically in classroom settings.
Most courses are completed in approximately six weeks.
Students typically take one course at a time, allowing for focused, in-depth learning.
Courses are delivered primarily in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule.
Yes, transfer credit may be accepted depending on prior coursework and its alignment with program requirements. Each transcript is evaluated individually.

Yes. Christian faith is integrated throughout the program, including weekly devotional discussions that connect faith with teaching practice and service.
The program provides advanced training in second language acquisition, culturally responsive teaching, and instructional strategies for multilingual learners. Students learn how to design effective, inclusive learning environments that support language development and academic success.
The program focuses on English learners (ELs) in K–12 settings, as well as diverse cultural and linguistic populations across a variety of educational environments.
Students gain expertise in ESL program design, instructional methods, and assessment of English learners. Coursework prepares graduates to lead ESL initiatives, support school-wide language programs, and serve as instructional leaders.
Students complete applied assignments and field-based experiences, such as observing and working with English learners, analyzing instructional practices, and applying research in real-world contexts.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as ESL specialist, instructional coach, program coordinator, or district-level leader supporting multilingual education programs.

Program Requirements

  • Submit a signed SILD FERPA Release form.
  • A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
    • Transcripts from foreign institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA.
    • If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
  • Candidates needs:
    • A valid (but not necessarily current) state teacher’s license.
    • At least one year of teaching experience from an approved and accredited public, private, or parochial P-12 school in the United States or abroad.
    • Supporting documentation demonstrating access to students with English as a Second Language needs to complete clinical experiences in a P-12 classroom.
  • Successful completion of the M.S. curriculum.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
Clinical Experience Requirements

Clinical field experiences are required. Candidates may be eligible to complete field experience within their own classroom or school.

Licensure Testing

Candidates who wish to be recommended for the Indiana state license endorsement for English to speakers of Other Languages must satisfy all completion requirements and receive a passing score on the required Indiana state English to Speakers of Other Languages assessment.

Candidates who seek licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the Master of Science with a major in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education (Indiana Licensure) program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought. 

Accreditation

Clinical Experience Requirements

Clinical field experiences are required. Candidates may be eligible to complete field experience within their own classroom or school.

Licensure Testing

Candidates who wish to be recommended for the Indiana state license endorsement for English to speakers of Other Languages must satisfy all completion requirements and receive a passing score on the required Indiana state English to Speakers of Other Languages assessment.

Candidates who seek licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the Master of Science with a major in English as a Second Language (ESL) Education (Indiana Licensure) program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought. 

Take the Next Step

Discover the way ahead and pursue your goal of teaching English as a Second Language to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. If you want to earn your ESL license, contact us today to learn more about this MS in English as a Second Language Education program at IWU!

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