The Educational Specialist program at Bay Path University is designed to prepare competent and effective leaders who will model high academic standards and assume a leadership role in the field of education. Courses provide specialized preparation for individuals seeking employment in PreK-12 settings or university-level school positions. An Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) is designed for educators seeking a post-master’s degree program that emphasizes both professional practice and scholarship. The program requires a minimum of 42 credits (including SPE 540 Research in Education as a required course) beyond a master’s degree for ESL Prek-6, ESL 5-12, and non-licensure programs. Each program of study is individually designed in consultation with a program coordinator and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. 

Our ESL program at Bay Path University is intended to educate candidates on how to effectively develop the English skills of their students, while fostering an understanding of ESL methodology and pedagogy. A distinctive emphasis of the program is its holistic view of English language acquisition relating to first and second language, linguistics, language assessment, methods for teaching ESL, historical, legal and philosophical bases for ESL, including content and general education classes, sheltered-ESL classes, pullout classes, and bilingual programs. Our dynamic courses at Bay Path explore how students learn additional languages, strategies, techniques and best practices for teaching ESL students.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 42 hours of graduate coursework, including SPE 540 Research in Education, to earn an Ed.S. in an English as a Second Language concentration.  This includes a supervised 300-hour practicum experience in both of the concentrations that lead to licensure. 

Students must select one of the following concentrations:

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of both English as a Second Language licensure concentrations are expected to demonstrate achievement in all areas of the program. Specifically, graduates will be prepared to:

• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment standard.
• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Teaching All Students standard.
• Prepare students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Professional Standards for Teachers Professional Culture standard.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills through in-class assignments and presentations, to be applied in the teaching-learning process.