Part of the Graduate School of Education
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education
Our master's program in ESOL education is for you if you wish to obtain New York State initial/professional certification to teach grades K–12 bilingual and/or English language learners. This program is also for you if you have already obtained initial teacher certification before entering the program, but you aspire to complete both a master's degree in ESOL education and satisfy grades K–12 professional ESOL certification requirements. Our program focuses on teaching English as a new language to speakers of other languages in U.S. educational systems: early childhood, childhood and secondary schools.
If you already have obtained your teacher certification and are looking to add to your professional skill set, our ESOL certificate of advanced study is for you. Our extension program focuses on teaching English as a new language to speakers of other languages in U.S. educational systems: early childhood, childhood and secondary schools. To be eligible for this program, you must have advanced proficiency in both English and Spanish.
Why English for Speakers of Other Languages Education at UB?
The features of our program include:
- research and evaluation projects, including field experiences and projects in collaboration with local schools' bilingual and second language programs
- study of English language learners and bilingual education students
- study of foundation of bilingual, dual and second language education
- study of bilingualism and first and second language acquisition
- study of developmental readers, second language reading processes, and reading instruction at elementary grades; second language literacy; adolescent literacy practice; language, literacy and culture; children's and young adult literature; and classroom reading and second language assessment
English for Speakers of Other Languages Education Programs
Prerequisite
To be eligible for this program, you must have majored in or completed 30 credit hours in one of the following areas:
› English
› Languages other than English
› Linguistics
› A speech-related field
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Master of Education (EdM) |
|---|---|
| Certification option | Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Initial and Professional Certification in English for Speakers of Other Languages Education |
| Grade levels | K to 12 |
| Credits required for completion | 54 |
| Time to completion | 4 to 5 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Career opportunities | English for speakers of other languages teacher |
| Experiential contact hours |
|
| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines
|
Program Coursework
Application Requirements
Program Applicants
At this time, we encourage you to utilize the at-home GRE to fulfill the standardized testing requirements set forth by New York State. An at-home MAT exam is not currently being offered.
However, if you are having issues taking the at-home GRE, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gse-apply@buffalo.edu so we can work through an individualized solution to address your specific situation.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Test scores:
- For students applying to initial-only and initial-professional programs: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores from tests taken within the last five years—including verbal, quantitative and writing sections. Please use institution code 2925 and department code 3101. While GRE/MAT scores are not demonstrated to be predictive of student success in our program, by statutory regulation we are required to have a standardized admission test score on file as part of your application.
- For students applying to professional-only programs: New York state requires all SUNY teacher preparation programs to adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration. Applicants to professional-only Master’s degree programs are required to submit scores for one of the following: GRE, MAT, edTPA, ATS-W, or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. You can upload proof of exam completion on your application under the “standardized test score” upload.
- Contact information for two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Personal statements: Please upload as two separate documents on your application.
- Statement one: Please outline your reasons for applying to UB's teacher education program. Include a discussion of one or two pivotal experiences that have brought you to the profession of teaching, your professional objectives (both long- and short-term), and how the graduate program is aligned with your goals. (250 to 300 words)
- Statement two: In Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children (2013), Lisa Delpit wrote: “We can educate all children if we truly want to. To do so, we must first stop attempting to quantify their capacity. We must be convinced of their inherent capability, humanity, and spiritual character ... we must learn who our children are — their lived cultures; their interests; and their intellectual, political, and historical legacies.”
Discuss how these ideas resonate with your personal or prior experiences. Then explain how they align with your personal and professional values, especially when it comes to engaging with diverse communities and student populations. (400 to 500 words)
- Applicants to the master's degree program (professional certification) must have applied for, or received, New York State initial teacher certification in the matching certification area. If application for teacher certification is in process, proof of such application must be submitted. If already certified, a copy of proof of teacher certification is required.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Dignity for All Students Act Requirement
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.
Students with Disabilities Requirement
The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic. Test scores must be dated within two years of submitting your application.
- TOEFL minimum score is a 250 for a computer based test, 600 for a paper based test and 96 for the Internet based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation — International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Are you an international student and unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?
If you are currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition is a safe and convenient option for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.
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University Computing Standards
You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.
