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Teaching: Initial License with English as a Second Language (ESL)
MAT

The Master of Arts in Teaching- Initial Licensure (MAT-I) program with a concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) provides the theoretical and practical knowledge related to language acquisition for teaching diverse multilingual students. Educators with an ESL license are in high demand both locally and across the state of Massachusetts.

Students in the MAT-I ESL program earn a master's degree in teaching and an initial license in ESL at either the PreK-6 or 5-12 grade level.

This 30-credit program is for candidates who do not yet possess a teaching license or currently have a Massachusetts Provisional License, and is available to pre-service and in-service educators.

Required courses for ESL licensure

  • EDU 651 Language, Culture & Linguistics
  • EDU 652 Current Sociolinguistic Issues in TESOL 
  • EDU 653 Theories of Language Acquisition- Implications for Instruction

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

  • International students are not eligible for this program. 
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • The statement of purpose should be approximately 1-2 pages in length and describe your beliefs about teaching and learning and why you have chosen teaching as a profession.
  • MTEL results are currently not required for admission.
  • 2 letters of recommendation from someone who can attest to your ability/potential as a teacher. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.

Application dates

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Course descriptions, schedules and requirements