Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (TCLD/ESOL) M.Ed.
Format: Online
Credit Hours: 39
Entry Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Ready to help students excel academically in the English language?
Explore the Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Master’s Degree Program.
The M.Ed in Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students prepares educators and administrators to collaborate, effectively work with, and educate culturally, linguistically diverse (CLD) students by providing learner-centered field-based opportunities. We foster academic excellence, community engagement and cultural enrichment by developing comprehensive understanding of global and local policies, and best practices as guided by our accrediting agencies; TESOL, Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
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Program Format and Highlights
Offered Fully Online
Specifically, in our program:
- You’ll learn 100% online in a flexible learning environment
- English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement classes are built-in to the TCLD program.
- You may gain eligibility for a teaching certificate upgrade while earning your degree.
What our students are saying about our program
“If you’re considering Georgia Southern for your graduate degree or even your undergraduate degree … do it. I cannot rave enough about how great my experience has been. I went from receiving shallow, if any, feedback on my assignments at my previous institution to genuinely thoughtful and insightful feedback on literally everything I’ve done at Georgia Southern. I have genuinely learned so much from my professors and colleagues. Every single class I’ve taken so far has been meaningful. This has been such a breath of fresh air. If you want the best professors and a great degree, consider the *fully online* and extremely relevant Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students master’s program at Georgia Southern”.
Haley Johnston, current student of M.Ed. Teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students
“In 2019, after 19 years of making excuses for not going to college for my master’s, I finally did it! I love being a teacher, growing my craft and finding ways to help others with my knowledge. I now have a master’s degree in Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and learned so much during each class. The professors at Georgia Southern University were beyond amazing! I appreciated the chance to learn with brilliant and caring educators in my cohort and construct new knowledge”.
Paige Watts, Spring ‘21 graduate of M.Ed. Teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students
M.Ed. TCLD Program Outcomes
Graduates of the M.Ed in TCLD will be able to:
- Understand and apply evidence-based language acquisition and second language acquisition theories along with components of structural linguistics within local contexts of teaching and learning.
- Understand and analyze cultural issues and critical structures in context and apply a variety of evidence-based culture and language-based models of teaching and learning emphasizing the use of students, families, and community’s cultures and languages as resources for teaching and learning.
- Recognize, apply, and adapt a variety of instructional methods, strategies, and models concordant with evidence-based language acquisition and cultural models of teaching and learning (multicultural education, culturally relevant teaching, SIOP) within subject specific content areas.
- Understand, apply, and adapt a variety of assessment models, instruments, or strategies (e.g., diagnostic, descriptive, evaluative, formative, summative, evaluative etc.) specific to working with English Language Learners and identify assessment biases that devalue home culture and language.
- Understand historical and present issues in ESOL education, recognize and apply pertinent new research trends in the field, and serve as advocates for ELLs within the school, community, state, or region.
Ready to take the next step?
The Georgia Southern University Office of Graduate Admissions oversees the application process for graduate students. Please review the links below for admission requirements and deadlines.
Prior Learning Assessments: Procedures and Timelines
Prior Learning Assessments are available for TCLD 6231 – Cultural Diversity and ESOL, TCLD 6233 – Applied Linguistics for ESOL/TCLD and TCLD 6235 – Methods for Teaching ESOL/TCLD. M.Ed. in TCLD students can choose to attempt, none, either, or both. Successful completion of each assessment will result in 3 graduate credits per assessment toward the M.Ed in TCLD (for a maximum total of 6 credits).
Prior Learning Assessments must be completed by an applicant/student prior to being admitted to the program or during their first semester in the program.
If you are interested in attempting one or both assessments, please follow the steps below:
- Complete Part 1 on the Prior Learning Assessment Form for EACH assessment you wish to attempt.
- Email your complete form(s) to the TCLD Program Director, Alisa Leckie, at aleckie@georgiasouthern.edu at least one week prior to the beginning of the next testing window (listed below).
- Use the study guide, portfolio description, and rubric to prepare for the assessments. Note: The Applied Linguistics assessment is an exam that must be taken during testing window. The Cultural Diversity and ESOL assessment is a paper, and the ESOL Methods assessment is a portfolio. Both of these can be prepared in advance.
- At the beginning of the two-week testing window, you will receive log in information sent to the email you used to submit the initial form. This log-in information will allow you to access the online Applied Linguistics exam and the dropboxes for the Cultural Diversity and ESOL paper and the ESOL Methods portfolio.
- Complete the exam and/or upload your paper alongside your portfolio during the two week window.
- The TCLD Program Director will email results and feedback approximately one week after the testing period ends. A grade of a B (80%) or better must be earned to receive credit. Earned credit will appear as “K” credit on transcripts.
Testing Periods
| Summer: | June 14-July 12 (Applications for Fall admission due July 1) |
| Fall: | October 4-18 (Applications for Spring admission due Nov.1) |
| Spring: | March 7-21 (Applications for Summer admission due April 1) |
Testing Materials
Program Contact Information and Graduate Advising
Graduate Academic Services Center
gasc@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-1447
Frequently Asked Questions
Endorsement Courses
What courses are required for the ESOL Endorsement?
Can I take both TCLD Applied Linguistics and TCLD Cultural Diversity simultaneously?
Can I take Methods for Teaching ESOL/TCLD first?
Can I take Methods for Teaching ESOL/TCLD during Student Teaching?
Does the ESOL Endorsement include a field practicum?
How are the courses taught?
When are the courses offered?
What if I mix the levels (undergraduate & graduate) or mix the institutions (Georgia Southern, another university, and/or a RESA) when and where I take the ESOL Endorsement courses?
What if I think I have already taken an equivalent of one of the ESOL Endorsement courses?
How can the ESOL Endorsement courses contribute to the degree I am seeking?
Requirements
What is required to enroll in the courses?
Do I need to be proficient in a language other than English?
How much is the cost per class?
What if I am a teacher, but not currently a student at Georgia Southern?
Who adds the ESOL Endorsement to my teaching certificate?
For all Online Programs:
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.
For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.
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Last updated: 12/5/2023