English as a Second Language: M.T. - Master of Teaching

Admission Requirements

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are NOT required as part of the application process. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores must not be more than 2 years old. Applicants who have or will have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction do not need to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. 

Additional admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation. Applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 with a 3.0 GPA in the major, though applicants not meeting this requirement will be considered. Faculty review applications holistically and will consider academic record, goals, relevant experience, and letters of recommendation.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of another language and its structure. Proficiency can be demonstrated through college-level coursework, Praxis testing, or other measures.

Students may apply to the program prior to completing the language requirement. Reach out to the contact at the bottom of this page with questions about these requirements and to request a transcript review. 

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Information for Current UVA Undergraduates
If you are a current UVA undergraduate, view our Information for Current UVA Undergraduates page for info on admission into this program.

Summer Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Required Coursework:

• EDLF 5011: Adolescent Learning and Development*
• EDIS 5000: Exceptional Learner*
• EDIS 5020: Foundations of Learning and Teaching
• EDIS 5270: Teaching Reading and Writing to ELLs
• EDIS 5423: English Linguistics*
• EDIS 5800: Understanding Educational Contexts

*With prior approval, students may transfer coursework to meet the human development, exceptional learner, and English linguistics requirements. Students who meet these requirements prior to the program will not be required to retake these classes. Students may transfer a maximum of six credits, so students meeting all three requirements will substitute an elective for the third course. 

By August 15, complete licensure training modules and take the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment.
 

Fall Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Required Coursework:

• EDIS 5030: Creating Effective Learning Experiences and Environments
• EDIS 5070: Designing Technology-Enhanced Instruction
• EDIS 5820: Assessment of and for Learning
• EDIS 5428: ESL Methods
• EDIS 5858: Content Area Seminar in ESL
• EDIS 5868: Clinical Experience in ESL Education

For Internship I, students are placed in a local ESL classroom, working alongside a mentor teacher three days per week. Placements begin in mid-August and continue through the end of November. 

By December 15, take the Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362).
 

Spring Coursework

To learn more about specific courses taken as part of the completion of this degree, visit the Graduate Record website. These webpages represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Required Coursework:

• EDIS 5470: ESL Assessment and Curriculum Design
• EDIS 6991: Professional Field Project
• EDIS 5878: Internship Seminar - ESL
• EDIS 5888: Teaching Internship - ESL

In Internship II, also known as “student teaching,” students are placed in a new ESL classroom. To meet Virginia licensing requirements, ESL candidates must complete one internship in elementary and one in secondary, so candidates will switch levels between fall and spring. Students attend during contract hours every day from the first week of January to the end of April.