Multilingual Education MA
- Graduate Educator Licensure or Endorsement
- Master's Degree
- Online
- Online
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- World Language Licensure
2 Years or Less
Fall Term (Aug.)
Spring Term (Jan.)
Summer Term (May)
$668/Credit
An Online Master’s Degree in Multilingual Education
Ready to become an expert at teaching languages? Our Multilingual Education Master of Arts degree gives you the skills to teach English or foreign languages in the U.S. and around the world.
Program Highlights
- Expert Teachers: You’ll learn from teachers who are leaders in language education. They’ll work closely with you as mentors.
- Flexible Schedule: The classes are online, so you can fit your schoolwork around your job and life.
- Hands-on experience: you will complete real-life teaching activities so that you can apply what you learn. The program supports internships and student teaching options both in the U.S. and internationally.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Concentration
You’ll gain advanced knowledge and skills to teach English to students (of all ages) who already speak another language.
Course topics include:
- ESL/EFL teaching and assessment
- Foundational knowledge about language and linguistics
- How learners learn best when learning a second language
- Teaching culturally and linguistically diverse learners
We also offer a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate.
World Language Licensure Concentration
This concentration is for those who are fluent in a language other than English. Teach Spanish, German, Chinese and more. See the career section for details. You will gain the teaching license and skills you need to teach students a second language.
Course topics include:
- Language teaching methods that work
- Foundational knowledge about language and linguistics
- Aspects of teaching in the school setting
- Language and literacy development for diverse learners
Your Career in Language Teaching
TESOL Concentration Careers
TESOL / EFL / ESL Teaching: There are many terms for teaching English to those who speak another language. In addition to TESOL, you’ll be prepared for a variety of English language teacher roles:
- Inside the United States: Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults, or in other non-licensed settings.
- Outside the United States: Teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL / TEFL) in schools, private organizations and as a tutor.
A master’s degree from UNC elevates your skills above those who hold TESL/TEFL certificates. Open up a world of opportunities with this degree.
World Languages Licensure Concentration Careers
Begin a career that lets you introduce students to another language and culture.
In the United States: There is a high demand for world language teachers, also known as modern language or foreign language teachers, in Colorado and the entire United States.
- This master’s degree leads to eligibility for a Colorado teaching license with a World Languages (Grades K-12) endorsement. See the list of languages recognized by the Colorado Department of Education, under Endorsement Requirements.
- This program will qualify you for credential requirements in most states. If you plan to work outside of Colorado, please see the Licensure Eligibility by State section below.
- If you know ASL, you may be interested in our highly-focused Teaching American Sign Language MA program.
Outside the United States: If you live outside of the U.S., this concentration will also prepare you for language teaching in a variety of private and public educational settings. Some of these positions, such as teaching in International Baccalaureate schools, require U.S. teaching licensure.
Course of Study
UNC Asian Studies B.A. students: please note that an accelerated (4+1) version of the master’s degree program is available, which allows you to transition into this online program while you are still completing your bachelor’s degree.
Flexible Online Delivery
The online delivery means you can work full time during the program if you choose.
- You can start this program any term, and can complete it in five terms (about 20 months).
- You will choose from a variety of elective options that let you pursue the teaching topics that are most important to you. Course choices could impact when you finish or how many courses you take per term.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for the TESOL concentration.
Courses and Requirements
This concentration is 30 credits.
Online Delivery
Because of the online delivery, you will be able to work full-time for a majority of the program. Later in the program you will need to be able to spend daytime hours in K-12 classrooms for your practicum and student teaching.
The time it takes you to complete the program will depend on when you start taking coursework.
- If you start the program spring or summer term, you should earn your teaching license in about 16 months, and finish your master’s degree 4-8 months later.
- If you start in the fall term, you should earn your teaching license in 21 months, and take one more course for your master’s degree within the next two terms.
These estimates are based on taking two courses most terms.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for the World Language Licensure concentration.
Courses and Requirements
This concentration is 33 credits.
World Language Licensure Concentration – Courses and Requirement Details
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this degree. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Dalton Chamberlin
Enrollment Counselor
Margaret Berg
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
World Language Licensure Concentration Only:
- Prior to student teaching, you will need to provide proof of your competency in a language recognized by the Colorado Department of Education (see the languages listed for the World Languages endorsement) via one of the following methods:
- Hold a degree in your target world language; or
- Passing score of state recognized test: Praxis, NES or Place depending on the specific target language
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
World Language Licensure Eligibility by State
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.
It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
World Languages Licensure Concentration Students Please Note
Students Wishing to Teach in the United States
UNC can not provide student Visa support for the practicum and student teaching portions of this program, and the Colorado teaching licensure related to this program requires that teaching experiences be completed in the U.S. However, if you are a non-U.S. citizen who will be in the U.S. via other Visa eligibility (such as teaching a World Language via a U.S. work permit) during the teaching experience portion of the program, then this program will allow you to work toward U.S. licensure and you can complete your teaching experiences in your host school.
Students Wishing to Teach Outside of the United States
Students who are not eligible to come to the U.S. on a student visa for practicum and student teaching experiences can complete these experiences in a variety of international settings to meet the master’s program requirements. Please work with the Program Coordinator before applying to determine if there are reasonable options for you for these experiences. Please note that these international teaching experiences will not lead to eligibility for Colorado teaching licensure.
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Meet the Program Faculty
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Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
Licensure Eligibility by State
This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: March 15
- Fall term: June 15
- Spring term: Nov. 15
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose one of the following programs:
- Multilingual Education: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (M.A.)
- Multilingual Education: World Language Licensure Program (M.A.)
Start term: Fall Term (Aug.), Spring Term (Jan.) or Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details for each concentration in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
View Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Application Details
Application Reimbursement From TEACH Colorado
For Colorado applicants to teacher licensure programs: UNC is pleased to be partnering with TEACH Colorado, a non-profit coalition that works to support future teachers. If you set up a free account with TEACHColorado.org before you complete your UNC application to a program / concentration that includes initial teacher licensure, you will be eligible to receive up to $100 in reimbursement of your application fee and any costs you may incur for academic transcripts or exams. The TEACHColorado.org checklist is optional, but you will need to create an account if you would like to request reimbursement.
We also recommend that you save this page that you are viewing right now for when you return to complete your UNC application.
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