COURSE CURRICULUM

The Online ESL Certification Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is structured as a 15-credit sequence that fulfills the New Jersey Department of Education requirements for ESL certification, combined with 21 additional credits that contribute toward the Master of Arts in Education for Certified Teachers, creating a comprehensive 36-credit graduate pathway for certified educators; the ESL certification component includes five core 3-credit courses—Second Language Acquisition: Methodology and Curriculum (EDUC6599), Assessment in the Second-Language Classroom (EDUC6631), Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers (EDUC6574), Literacy Development for Second Language Learners (EDUC6654), and Behavioral Science for Teachers: Language and Culture (EDUC6650)—which collectively build expertise in language acquisition theory, classroom assessment, instructional strategies, literacy development, and sociocultural dimensions of language learning, ensuring teachers are prepared to effectively support English language learners in diverse P–12 settings. The remaining 21 credits toward the MA degree expand professional competencies in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and educational research through courses such as Educational Technologies (EDUC5501), Curriculum and Instruction: Theory and Practice (EDUC6702), Supervision of Instruction (EDUC6703), Leading Inclusive Schools (EDUC6757), Data-informed Leadership (EDUC6758), Diversity, Equity and Justice in Schools and Society (EDUC6931), and a Master’s Seminar in Research in Specialization (EDUC7674), along with approved elective coursework, providing a balanced focus on classroom practice, school leadership, and evidence-based decision-making in education; together, the program is designed to strengthen both instructional and administrative capabilities, enabling certified teachers to advance their careers while gaining ESL certification and deeper expertise in inclusive, data-driven, and culturally responsive education.