Cal U and Intermediate Unit 1 have signed an agreement intended to bring more highly qualified teachers of English as a Second Language into area schools.
The pact translates to savings for ESL teachers who are seeking a master’s degree at Cal U.
The agreement applies to teachers from area school districts who have taken ESL courses offered by IU1 and who enroll in Cal U’s online Master of Education in ESL.
Under the five-year agreement, IU1 teachers apply to Cal U and, if accepted, enroll as tuition-paying students.
Once they have earned 12 credits by successfully completing four graduate-level courses required for the M.Ed., the university will accept up to nine credits earned through the intermediate unit’s ESL program in these courses:
- EDE 704: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits).
- EDE 709: Developing Cultural Awareness (3 credits).
- EDE 713: Language Acquisition and Development (3 credits).
Teachers then complete nine additional credits (three graduate-level courses) at Cal U to earn the degree.
All Cal U coursework for the master’s degree in ESL can be completed entirely online, making it convenient for busy, working educators. Teachers save when their IU1 credits are transferred to California University at no additional cost.
“Our school-age population is becoming more diverse,” says Dr. Susan Morris-Rutledge, coordinator of the university’s ESL program.
“Both our children and our school districts benefit when educators are skilled in teaching English language learners – and teachers with an advanced degree in ESL may find more opportunities available to them.”
Teachers from Intermediate Unit 1 can apply to Cal U online at calu.edu/apply. Candidates must submit a letter attesting to their completion of all IU1 coursework in ESL prior to application and enrollment.
The M.Ed. program covered under the agreement does not include initial teacher certification or ESL certification. Separately, Cal U does offer an M.Ed. program that includes ESL certification, as well as a certificate-only option. Prospective students can learn about all of Cal U’s academic programs at calu.edu/academics.