Teach and support students while they learn English and gain the confidence to thrive.
Schools in the U.S. remain richly diverse, with students from every background, including those who arrive at school fluent in different languages and varieties of language. Most teachers will find this growing population of culturally and linguistically diverse students in their classrooms. Our program will show you how to embrace those backgrounds as assets, how to design and implement instruction that supports diverse learners and how to advocate for families.
33 credit hours
In person
Full or part time
Start in the fall semester
You'll benefit from our Jerry L. Johns Literacy Clinic, which provides reading support services for K-12 students, continuing education and professional development opportunities for reading specialists and excellent practicum experiences for you.
Our program has been approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for ESL/bilingual endorsement. It also meets the accreditation standards — and is nationally recognized by — TESOL, the leading ESL professional organization.
School districts want teachers who can work effectively with all students. Many districts in Illinois have reported shortages of bilingual/ESL teachers. The need for these experts is so strong, many districts have paid for teachers to complete required coursework.
Average mid-career salary for alumni:
Top job titles for alumni:
Top employers for alumni:
Source: Steppingblocks, {{steppingBlocksSourceYear}}
You’ll apply through the Graduate School.
You can apply to the NIU Graduate School as a degree-seeking student or as a Student-at-Large, which allows you to take a course while waiting for official admission to the program. Your complete application packet will require:
Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.
Many NIU graduate students have an assistantship, which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation.
Courses are offered at NIU campuses in DeKalb and Naperville and various school districts. They’re delivered in face-to-face, hybrid and online formats.
You can complete the program in two or three years. After completing 18 credits, you can apply to receive the Certificate of Graduate Study.
During your program of study, you will:
Our faculty bring diverse experiences, backgrounds, scholarship and expertise in literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual education. They’re committed to facilitating engaging learning experiences in and outside the classroom.