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Spanish and ESL/Bilingual Education
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's
Degrees
BA in Spanish + MEd in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
At a Glance
This accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program prepares you to become a certified K–12 teacher in Spanish, ESL (English as a Second Language), and bilingual education. You’ll receive a BA in Spanish while taking three graduate ESL courses as part of your undergraduate degree. You can then elect an ESL teaching certification (four additional graduate-level courses) or a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language (seven additional graduate-level courses). Your multilingual certifications will open doors to more career opportunities.
Program Coordinators: Ann Warner Ault, warner@tcnj.edu (Spanish) and Yiqiang Wu, wuyiqian@tcnj.edu (TESL)
Accelerated/Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart and enter the workforce with a master’s degree. Accelerated options get you there faster and more affordably through fewer semesters of classes. Dual degrees offer a streamlined path to earning two degrees, often with direct admission to the graduate portion.
You could finish your bachelor’s and master’s in less than five years with the option to take ESL courses in the summer through Off-Site and Online Programs.
This five-year (4+1) accelerated program is designed for incoming and current TCNJ students majoring in Spanish. Whether you’re passionate about teaching language learners, working in diverse classrooms, or gaining leadership roles in bilingual education, this program will set you on the path to success.
If you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree or are a current TCNJ student, you can still pursue an MEd in TESL or the TESL initial certification as a stand-alone option. All current TCNJ students double-count two graduate courses as part of their undergraduate degree.
Spanish + ESL/Bilingual Education, MEd + NJ Certifications in SPA and ESL/Bilingual Education (4.5–5 years)
Spanish + NJ Certifications in SPA and ESL/Bilingual Education (in as few as 4 years and one summer)
You’ll Benefit From:
- A fee waiver for the ACTFL language-proficiency tests and certification application
- Global and online options, with summer courses offered at lower tuition costs than on-campus options
- Real-world teaching experience in diverse classrooms as you work toward your degree
- A Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement to teach bilingual students
Teaching Careers
Graduates of this program are in high demand in both U.S. and international K–12 schools. There is a growing need for ESL and bilingual teachers in New Jersey, with districts offering signing bonuses of up to $7,000 as well as $4,500 stipends for student teachers. Beyond teaching, this degree opens doors to positions in curriculum development, education leadership, research, and more. The skills you’ll gain will set you up for leadership roles in both ESL and bilingual education programs and will also enable you to teach English abroad.
