M.A.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction – ESL and Bilingual Education

The program prepares educators to serve multilingual learners through advanced study in second language acquisition, bilingual education, educational psychology and culturally responsive teaching. Students develop expertise in ESL curriculum design, assessment, cross-cultural communication and instructional strategies that support both English learners and students with exceptionalities. Extensive practicum and supervised internship experiences provide opportunities to apply research-based practices in authentic PreK–12 settings while building the knowledge and skills needed to lead inclusive, equitable classrooms.

Clinical experiences are integrated throughout the program and provide opportunities to work directly with multilingual learners in diverse school settings. Candidates complete at least 60 hours of fieldwork before progressing to a 15-week student teaching experience, where they apply evidence-based instructional practices while receiving mentorship from experienced educators.

Students who successfully complete our ESL/Bilingual Education program will be eligible to apply for licensure in English as a Second Language PK-12 in the state of Virginia.

All teacher candidates must obtain passing scores on the professional teacher assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. At William & Mary, all required licensure tests are also graduation requirements; therefore, the appropriate tests must be completed regardless of a teacher candidate’s decision to apply for a teaching license. Students will also need to take the ESL Praxis.

Application Requirements 

Application materials include your unofficial transcript(s), personal statements, a resume/CV, and two recommendations. We encourage prospective students to begin an application, as the portal provides a clear overview of all application requirements, including the personal statement prompt.

Looking for the application deadline? See our Deadlines & Decisions page.

Current W&M Undergraduate Students

What classes can I take to prepare for the master’s? 

William & Mary undergraduates interested in the graduate programs in teacher education are encouraged to take EDUC 301 and EDUC 310 as an undergraduate. These courses can be used as an exemption for the corresponding graduate classes in the master’s program. Current undergraduate students interested in the M.A.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction must apply through the regular application process.

Students may apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. If you have questions about your financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wm.edu.

All applicants are automatically considered for available scholarships, and recipients will be notified directly if selected for an award.

Because of the program’s required fieldwork, assistantships are not typically available for students in the ESL/Bilingual Education program. 

Teachers in Residence

Some students participate in residency agreements with partnering school districts offer paid opportunities that allow candidates to complete their practicum and student teaching experiences while earning compensation. Learn more on our Teachers in Residence page.