Speak the language of an effective educator.
For those who work with linguistically and culturally diverse non-native English speakers, this program teaches you theories of language acquisition, strategies to promote cultural understanding, and teaching practices to meet the needs of English learners. Developed to align to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: English as a New Language, the online M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education will help you establish a culturally relevant learning environment across diverse settings.
in the nation for most Master's degrees awarded in Bilingual Education*.
Thinking of starting your journey?
Connect with an ACE enrollment counselor who can help you get started.
How you'll get there.
- You will take a total of twelve courses, exploring topics including cross-cultural studies for teaching English language learners, assessment of ESL and bilingual students, and methods and materials for teaching ESL. Each course is five weeks long. While most students take one course at a time, you may choose to take more in order to complete your degree faster.
- At the end of the program, you will complete a capstone course to demonstrate and document the knowledge you’ve gained throughout the program.
What you can expect along the way.
- Quality instruction ACE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and we’re the #1 nationwide conferrer of Master’s of Education degrees in ESL and Bilingual Education.*
- Flexible class format Our asynchronous online classes enable you to plan your coursework around your life. Each course is 5 weeks long with outlined expectations each week.
- Well-rounded coursework This program examines the diverse components of education that impact the English language learner. You will learn about curriculum design, assessment instruments, environments conducive to learning English, and partnership opportunities to assist non-native English speakers.
- State-approved The program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as leading to the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 endorsement. Some courses in the English as a Second Language and Bilingual Certificate are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an English as a Second Language endorsement and Bilingual Education endorsement. Please note this program is not approved for a Resident Educator License-4 Year license or any other standard teaching license in Ohio.
- Accelerated completion available If you have completed our Certificate in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education program, or Certificate in Teaching English Learners, you can apply those credits toward this degree and complete it faster.
What it costs
Our tuition and fees have nothing to hide. The total cost you see is your all-in price, without hidden fees, add-ons, and even textbooks. See if you can say the same about other institutions. Go ahead — we’ll wait.
Total Tuition
34 semester credits
x
$235 per credit
$7,990
Fees
$50 Application Fee
$1,360 Technology & Library Fee
($40 per credit)
$100 Program Conferral Fee
$1,510
Total Program Cost1
$9,500
We're ready to help you get started!
Request InfoPartnerships save you more.
ACE has more than 1,750 education partners that provide a discounted rate and other partner benefits.

Meet your department chair.
Tiffany Hamlett, Ph.D.
Administrative Faculty and Chair,
Department of Teaching and Learning
A degree you can count on.
American College of Education is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission— a federally-recognized accrediting agency. The College’s accreditation includes approval to offer degree programs, in education, healthcare, nursing and business and leadership through distance education via the Internet. Accreditation ensures that an institution’s academic program meets or exceeds acceptable levels of quality and is the most recognized accreditation status for higher education entities. To receive and maintain HLC accreditation and affiliation approval, we must continuously undergo routine peer review cycles and provide proof that our programs meet or exceed HLC accreditation criteria and expectations of quality.
Courses
M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education
Explore the classes you'll take to fulfill this program's 34 semester credit requirement. For more information, a complete list of requirements, and course options, see the College Catalog.
Research Courses (3 semester credits)
Education and Teaching Core Courses (3 semester credits)
Curriculum and Instruction Courses (9 semester credits)
ESL/BL/TESOL Courses (19 semester credits)
Internship
The completion of an internship is not a graduation requirement for M.Ed. in ESL/BL, however American College of Education offers optional internship courses for students whose state of residence requires the same for endorsement or certification.
- A separate internship course (
) will be offered following completion of all coursework for students in states requiring an internship for endorsement or certification.EBL5101 - Internship Experience for ESL and Bilingual Education - Upon completion of the M.Ed. in ESL/BL degree, students will apply and enroll for the internship course as Students-at-Large.
- Students will be charged the current tuition rates.
Endorsements
Illinois Endorsements
Some courses in the English as a Second Education and Bilingual program are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an
Ohio Endorsement
The M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as leading to the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 endorsement. The completion of an internship is a OH (TESOL) K-12 endorsement requirement. A separate internship course (
Admission Requirements
M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education
ACE General Admission Requirements
- Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement, and the payment agreement.
- Submit the nonrefundable application fee.*
- Provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.**
*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.
Program Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's or Highest Post-Baccalaureate degree earned
- Minimum Grade Point Average 2.50 on a 4.00 Scale for full admission
- Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 on a 4.00 Scale for Provisional Admission
- Applicants must acknowledge they have access to the educational settings for completion of course assignments throughout the program
- Applicants must achieve and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their program
A Note About Licensure:
While this program provides a comprehensive understanding of the intended program outcomes, it does not lead to licensure, certification, or endorsement. ACE offers several programs that do provide a pathway to licensure, certification, or endorsement and they can be found here.
1This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours or program pathway credit hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program or program pathway credit hours, receipt of, or eligibility for, institutional or non-institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, and adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section.
State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)
It is a state of California requirement that a student who pays his or her tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges, rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, for the California Student Tuition Recovery Fund. For more information and to see if you must pay the state-imposed assessment for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) click here.
For information on international transcript requirements, see the Admissions Information section of the College Catalog.
For English as a second language applicant information, see the Admissions Information section of the College Catalog.
Take the first step towards your future.
It's easy to get started and we'll help you every step of the way!