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English as a Second Language (ESL) License

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The ESL Education Program at Edgewood College prepares educators for the important and meaningful work of teaching multilingual learners in a setting where students are learning the English language. This program is designed to meet your professional goals by offering program options that can either stand alone or build upon one another toward a Master of Arts in Education: ESL.

  • Curriculum embraces an anti-racist, strength-based approach to teaching multilingual learners
  • Instruction is transferable to ESL teacher practice
  • Emphasis is placed on collaboration and building a professional community
  • Individual advising and support are offered throughout the program
  • Flexible course meetings accommodate working schedules


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Quick ESL Education Program Facts

  • Stand-alone program or apply credits to a Master of Arts in Education: ESL
  • Admissions accepted for 5 entry points (Fall Session I & II, Spring Session I & II, Summer)
  • Blend of industry-relevant, in-person and online courses
  • Options for financial aid, tuition discounts, and grants

Language and Literacy Graduate Education Info Session

Learn more about our Language and Literacy graduate program at Edgewood College. Program Coordinator, Emily Zoeller, along with co-coordinators Tamara Mouw (Reading) and Paulina Bravo Valenzuela (ESL/Bilingual Ed), will discuss details of the English language learners program. There will be a chance for attendees to ask questions about courses, cost, how to apply, and more

Monday, November 14, 2022 at 4:30 PM until 5:30 PM Central Standard Time

*Registration is no longer available because the registration deadline has passed

License and Degree Requirements

The ESL Program is designed to meet your professional development goals by offering program options that can either stand alone or build upon one another toward a Master of Arts in Education: ESL. Courses are blended — online and in the classroom.

ESL License Sequence

The 18-credit licensing program leads to a Wisconsin DPI license certification in ESL (WDPI 395). The second language learning program is designed for experienced teachers who wish to add this certification. All courses are 3 credits each and may be applied towards completion of the M.A. in Education: ESL.

  • EDU 630: Paradigms in Bilingual/Bicultural Education
  • EDU 631: Second Language Acquisition in the Content Areas
  • EDU 632: Language for Teachers 
  • EDU 633: Disciplinary Language and Literacy
  • EDU 635: ESL Curriculum Design and Assessment
  • EDU 760/761: ESL/Bilingual Student Teaching 

Master of Arts in Education – ESL

Completing the Master of Arts in Education will give you the English language skills and knowledge to become a leader of ESL education in your school or district. The Master of Arts in Education: ESL requires completion of the 18 credits listed in the License Sequence, plus five 3-credit courses listed below. 30 credits total.

  • EDU 655: Equitable Designs
  • EDU 631: Mentoring, Coaching and Leadership
  • EDU 631: Introduction to Education Research
  • EDU 631: Applied Research Thesis

Tuition and Financial Aid

Edgewood College is committed to making a life-changing education more affordable and accessible to more people than ever before. In response to a critical need in Wisconsin schools, Edgewood College has redesigned our tuition structure, allowing for a significant reduction in graduate tuition for our ESL license certification program.

Courses (18 credits) in the ESL License Sequence are offered at the discounted tuition rate of $611 per credit. Licensure courses can be applied toward a Master of Arts in Education with an ESL concentration. Master completion courses (15 credits) are at the tuition rate of $1,072 per credit.

Tuition is based on the 2022/2023 academic year.

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. Learn more about Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions at Graduate Student Financial Aid.

Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your education. We work with students and organizations to manage tuition reimbursement plans, extend tuition discounts to various corporate partners in the region, offer third-party billing and monthly payment plans, and work with veterans to maximize their available aid.

 

Teachers are encouraged to inquire about the Teach Grant

ESL license-seeking students may qualify for the TEACH grant, a federal grant which “provides grants of up to $4000 per year to students who agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families and to meet other requirements.” These funds do not need to be repaid if you “serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program for which you received the TEACH grant.”

Please carefully review the TEACH grant website to understand stipulations and obligations upon program completion. From this site, you can also find a link that lists current eligible schools and districts that serve low-income students.

To apply for the TEACH grant through Edgewood College, you must first notify your ESL instruction advisor about your intent to apply. Your advisor will then verify your eligibility with the Financial Aid office and put you in touch with a Financial Aid officer to complete the TEACH grant enrollment process.

Admission Requirements

Apply Today!  Complete and submit the graduate application. This application is for graduate students who want to pursue a master’s program, license, or take a course as a non-degree student.

New students may start their teaching English program at five entry points throughout the year. Please note priority deadline dates.

  • Fall Session I: August 1 (August start)
  • Fall Session II: October 1 (October start)
  • Spring Session I: January 2 (January start)
  • Spring Session II: March 1 (March start)
  • Summer Session: May 1

All required application materials should be submitted by the deadlines. Applications received after deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Questions? Contact 608-663-3250 or jeastman@edgewood.edu.

Admission Criteria

  1. Provide evidence of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a regionally accredited or equivalent post-secondary institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission status. The cumulative grade point average is computed on the highest degree held at the time of application to the Edgewood College graduate program.
  2. Request that official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic credits be received from each post-secondary institution that you have attended.
  3. Provide two letters of recommendation from college or university professors, supervisors, and/or professional colleagues who can focus on the candidate’s probability of success in graduate school.
  4. Submit a written statement listing the reasons that you will be successful in graduate school. Cite how specific background experiences will aid in your success as a student.
  5. Provide evidence of a WDPI initial educator, professional educator, or master educator license (or the equivalent).

International students must contact Graduate and Professional Studies for additional admission requirements. Learn more.

Transfer Credits

You may submit up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit for consideration of transfer to Edgewood College for application to a degree program. Approval of the respective department is required. To be considered for application to a degree program, a course must have been taken within the past five years. For more information about transfer credits, please contact your admissions counselor.

Meet Your Faculty

 
Amy Christianson
Amy Christianson

Amy Christianson has been in the field of education for 22 years working in K-12, Institutions of Higher Education, and early childhood settings. She received her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and English as a Second Language (ESL) from UW-Milwaukee. She also obtained her Master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch University and Doctoral Degree from Edgewood College in field of Educational Leadership. Amy’s teaching licenses are early childhood education and ESL, and her administrative licenses are principal, director of instruction, and superintendent. She currently is the Director of Satellite Family Child Care System, a program at Reach Dane in Madison, WI.

 
 
Arabel Marcano Colón
Arabel Marcano Colón
Arabel earned a BS degree in Secondary Education in History from the University of Puerto Rico and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction in History, from Caribbean University in Puerto Rico. She completed a doctoral program in Education Leadership in Edgewood College. Her dissertation titled Mainstream Teachers’ Perceptions about Professional Development Needs to Support English Language Learners, came from her passion to help English Language Learners (ELLs) succeed in the classroom and was inspired by her own lived experience as an ELL. Currently, she works for Madison Metropolitan School District as a high school dual language immersion teacher in social studies.
Pam Dorn

Pam Dorn is a lifelong learner who has been an educator for 29 years. She has served as an elementary classroom teacher, Bilingual Resource Teacher, ESL classroom teacher, interventionist, and coach. She has taught in urban and suburban public school districts in Tampa, Sauk Prairie, and Madison. She holds a BS in Elementary Education as well as ESL & Bilingual Certification from UW Madison, a MA in Applied Linguistics from the University of South Florida, and a Literacy Coach Certificate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Pam finds her passion in exploring the classroom experience and working with teachers to develop reflective practices.

 
 
Ninotska Hernandez

Nina Hernández is an adjunct instructor specializing in Bilingualism and Linguistic Analysis. Nina earned her bachelor’s degree and completed graduate studies in World Language Education and Linguistics at the University of the Andes in Venezuela. She furthered her academic journey with an M.A. in Education and Professional Development from UW-LaCrosse. Currently, Nina works in the role of 6-12 DLI (Dual Language Immersion) teacher leader for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Her career spans over 25 years, during which she has taught a diverse range of students across 6-12 levels, undergraduate, and graduate programs in and outside the U.S.  Prior to her current position, Nina dedicated 18 years to teaching world languages and ESL in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She also taught a variety of courses such as Cross-Cultural Communication and World Language Methods at Concordia University, and French Phonetics at the University of the Andes. Nina is driven by her strong convictions regarding the transformative power of inclusive and culturally sustaining teaching practices. She is particularly passionate about advocating for and preparing educators in dual language programs across Wisconsin. 

Sara Huse
Sara Huse

Sara Huse has a strong passion for bringing practical strategies to educators in the TESOL licensure program. She began her career as a third-grade bilingual teacher and has taught extensively at the elementary and middle school level. She is currently a Professional Development Teacher Leader in the Madison Metropolitan School District, focusing primarily on coaching teachers serving English Learners.

 
 
Gerardo Mancilla
Gerardo Mancilla
Coordinator of Advanced Certification Elementary (ACE) Graduate Program and Associate Professor
School of Education
608- 663-3329

Gerardo Mancilla is an Associate Professor of Education for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction, M.S. in Counseling Psychology, and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to working at Edgewood College, Gerardo was working for the Madison Metropolitan School District where he was a Dual Language Immersion teacher. Gerardo teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses at Edgewood College. Gerardo’s research interests include Critical Race Theory, LatCrit, the school-to-prison pipeline, bilingual education, and immigration. Gerardo has also been active in the Madison community for many years.

Mercedes Martin
Mercedes Martin

Mercedes Martin received her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Edgewood in 2007. At Edgewood, she has led a former Conference for Rural districts, has taught Second Language Acquisition for Special Education and has served as an instructor and supervisor or Bilingual student teachers. She currently works as Bilingual Research Teacher at Kromrey Middle School in Middleton.

 
 
Maya Martinez-Hart

Maya A. Martinez-Hart currently works as a professional learning specialist at WIDA, a project in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She holds a B.A. From the University of Guadalajara, Mexico on teaching English as a foreign language and an M.A in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University in IL. She is also a certified Montessori teacher. Maya is a former bilingual teacher at the Madison Metropolitan School District where she held positions in elementary dual immersion and bilingual programming as well as a support teacher for the 4K programs. 

Alexis Nass
Alexis Nass

Alexis Nass has been working with and on behalf of English Learners for the past 14 years and currently serves as the Elementary English Learner Coordinator for the Verona Area School District.  A recipient of  the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE) Educator of the Year award, Alexis has served as an instructional coach, has attended and led numerous workshops and conferences, and has been involved in various community partnerships with the purpose to increase educational opportunities for bilingual learners.  She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education & ESL from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a M.A. in Education from Viterbo University.  

 
 
Paulina Valenzuela
Paulina Bravo Valenzuela has 14 years of experience serving multilinguals in U.S. and in Chile. Her roles include teacher, instructional coach, curriculum developer, researcher and dual language immersion teacher leader. Paulina’s research has examined the intersection of public policies and teachers’ subjectivity through participatory action-based research. As a Latinx community leader and advocate, she has devoted her work to advancing the Latinx community in their right to access quality bilingual education. Paulina holds an M.S. in Curriculum and Educative Community from Universidad de Chile and she is a program completer of Edgewood College’s bilingual education license pathway.
Lisette Venegas

Lisette Venegas has dedicated 24 years to enhancing the educational experiences of multilingual learners and their families. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, ESL, and Religious Studies, and a Master of Arts in Reading and Special Education, both from the University of Miami. She earned an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, along with Bilingual Certification and Instructional Coach certifications from Edgewood College. Currently, Lisette serves as the Secondary Multilingual Programs Manager for the Verona Area School District. She has shared her expertise at La Cosecha, WIDA, and WIABE conferences, and she is the recipient of the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education Educator of the Year award. Lisette is an advocate for increasing educational opportunities for bilingual learners.

Donna Vukelich-Selva
Donna Vukelich-Selva
Associate Professor
School of Education
(608) 663-3235

Donna Vukelich-Selva received her Ph.D. in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011.  She also holds a Master of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies from UW-Madison.  Before coming to Edgewood College in 2008, she taught at a K-12 bilingual school in Managua, Nicaragua, where she also founded and ran a study abroad program for US college students.  Vukelich-Selva teaches both undergraduate courses in the Division of Education, as well as bilingual and ESL education graduate courses in the Language and Literacy program.  She also teaches in Edgewood’s COR program for first year students and piloted a course on the history of immigration in the United States that is cross-listed with Ethnic Studies.  Among her college responsibilities, Donna serves on the advisory board for Edgewood’s Center for Multicultural Education.  Donna’s research interests include critical race theory, education and immigration, bilingual education and restorative justice.  She has been active in the Madison community for many years.

Emily Zoeller
Emily Zoeller
Coordinator of Language and Literacy and Associate Professor
School of Education

Dr. Emily Zoeller is an associate professor and coordinator of Language and Literacy Program at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. She holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. from the University of San Diego. She earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College, where she researched teacher leadership in two-way dual language education. Dr. Zoeller’s scholarship examines equitable instruction for multilinguals and literacy learners in K-12 education; her recent work has been published in the Bilingual Research Journal, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, The Reading Teacher, and Teacher Education Quarterly. Prior to her role at Edgewood College, she worked as a bilingual teacher, a reading specialist, and an instructional coach. She is passionate about lifting teacher voices for promoting equity in language and literacy education.

Learn More About Edgewood College ESL Program

At Edgewood College, our flexible ESL program prepares you to build upon the strengths of multilingual learners in your classroom. With instruction that is relevant and transferable, we prepare candidates with knowledge and skills to scaffold instruction so multilinguals have access to excellent learning.

Apply today to find your place in the field of teaching English as a second language.

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