Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in English as a Second Language

The Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in English as a Second Language at UAB is a specialized graduate program designed to equip educators with advanced strategies for teaching multilingual learners in diverse settings. For over 25 years, this program has integrated a standards-based, inquiry-focused approach to prepare students for teaching English both locally in P-12 schools and globally to adult learners. Delivered in a flexible 100% online format, the curriculum emphasizes the intersection of linguistics, culture, and pedagogy, ensuring that graduates can thoughtfully design and implement robust curricula that foster stimulating environments for language acquisition.

Program Highlights

1. Diverse Concentrations: Offers tailored tracks for P-12 teacher certification (Traditional and Alternative) as well as a non-certification track (MA-TESOL) for teaching adult learners and international students.
2. Comprehensive Curriculum: Key coursework includes Second Language Acquisition, Grammar and Linguistics for ESL Teachers, Phonology, and Teaching in a Multicultural Society.
3. Flexible Delivery: Designed for working professionals, the program is available 100% online, providing quality instruction regardless of a student's geographic location.
4. Global Focus: Prepares educators to teach "anyone, anywhere, at any age," with a specific emphasis on the globalization of English and sociolinguistic perspectives.
5. Dual Certification Option: Provides a unique pathway to earn certification in both ESL and a world language (French or Spanish) simultaneously through a 42-credit hour program.
6. Practical Engagement: Includes hands-on clinical experiences, such as the Community English Program, where graduate students teach interactive classes to community members.