Master's in ESL

Your TESOL Degree and Career Guide

  • Schools Offering Master’s Degrees in ESL
  • Scholarships
  • Jobs for ESL Teachers
  • Teaching ESL
    • Using the Common Core Standards in ESL Teaching
    • Best Practices for Teaching ESL: Speaking, Reading, and Writing
    • Free ESL Lesson Plans
    • Professional Organizations for ESL Teachers
  • Certification
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • District of Columbia
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Blog

New Mexico TESOL Programs and Requirements

TESOL Jobs in New Mexico >>
FIND SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
Sponsored Content


Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Arizona State University - Online Logo
Arizona State University - Online
Featured Program: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, MTESOL
Request Info
Grand Canyon University Logo
Grand Canyon University
Featured Program: Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Request Info

There are not many bricks-and-mortar institutions offering graduate degrees in TESOL in New Mexico. However, those that do provide interesting options for specializing in bilingual education, American Indian education, TESOL, multicultural education and related areas. In addition, New Mexico boasts fully online graduate programs that incorporate teacher certification and endorsement into a master’s degree.

ESL Teacher Certification

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) and its Professional License Bureau regulate policies concerning state licensure and the granting of its endorsements in TESOL and Bilingual areas of specialization.

TESOL endorsements require passing the Content Knowledge Assessment (CKA) in TESOL and earning 12 semester hours of credit in foreign language, cross-cultural education, subject matter expertise, and TESOL assessment. In lieu of passing the test, candidates can earn 24-36 TESOL semester units in NMPED-approved areas, or else hold certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in TESOL.

Bilingual endorsements require passing Prueba, Four Skills Exam (or a comparable exam) and completing 12 semester hours in bilingual education, ELD competencies, teaching methods, and assessment. If teachers already have the TESOL endorsement, they must still pass the exam and earn 6 semester units of approved coursework. Alternatively, they may hold certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in TESOL.

Alternative Certification Options

NMPED’s guide to Alternative Licensure Program Requirements describes summarizes three non-traditional paths to licensure in New Mexico.

  • Candidates can work in New Mexico public schools with an Internship License if they have a bachelor’s or master’s degree plus qualifying teacher-preparation coursework.
  • The second option entails earning an Internship License and then submitting a professional web portfolio as part of the OPAL plan.
  • The Post Secondary Experience path is for people holding graduate degrees who have taught a minimum of five years in a post-secondary setting.

Master’s in TESOL Programs

In New Mexico State University‘s Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, students can also opt for concentrations in Bilingual Education and Language, Literacy & Culture. University of New Mexico offers a Masters in Language, Literacy, & Sociocultural Studies. This course of study allows students to choose an area of focus among TESOL, American Indian Education, Bilingual Education, Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies, Literacy and Language Arts, and Social Studies. University of the Southwest offers a Master’s of Science in Education, Curriculum & Instruction: TESOL and a Master’s of Science in Education, Curriculum & Instruction: Bilingual Degree. Western New Mexico University offers a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Areas of focus include Bilingual Education, English, and Reading Education.

Recent Blog Posts

  • I Want to Teach ESL, Should I Learn a Foreign Language?
  • 9 Ways a Study Abroad Program Can Help You Become a Better ESL Teacher
  • ESL Teacher’s Guide to the Hotly Debated Issue of Immigration

Site Editor

Serena Makofsky
Serena Makofsky is a bilingual educator and curriculum designer with over a decade of experience. She has written articles, books, blog posts, units, and assessments for ESL and EFL educators and students. Her interests include innovative teaching practices, speaking Spanish, world cultures, and travel.

About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Copyright © 2013-2025 · MastersInESL.org