MTSU’s ESL online master’s degree ranked among best values in nation

MTSU professor Dorothy Craig, pictured, is director of the online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction in English as a Second Language offered through the College of Education and College of Graduate Studies. (MTSU photo)

Middle Tennessee State University has been ranked among the best value English Language Learning programs in the country.

The ranking from College Choice, a digital authority in college and university rankings and resources, put MTSU in fifth place for Most Affordable Online Master’s in English Language Learning. The full ranking can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2rGjOg5.

In ranking MTSU’s program fifth for best value, College Choice noted that MTSU delivers a totally online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction in English as a Second Language, or ESL. A student can earn it as an add-on licensure endorsement, or paired with an initial licensing, or as an endorsement only.

“The degree is multifunctional for each student’s needs,” the website noted.

Dr. Dorothy Craig

Dr. Lana Seivers

MTSU professor Dorothy Craig, director on the program, said thatdue to the continued demand for ESL teachers spanning grades preK-12, “the program works closely with public schools to ensure that practicing teachers as well as candidates seeking the initial license in ESL are able to gain the knowledge and expertise required to effectively meet the needs presented by diverse populations within multilingual classrooms.”

“I think this recognition is well-deserved, not just because of the affordability but because of the quality,” added College of Education Dean Lana Seivers. “Dr. Craig has done an unbelievably excellent job in developing this program, and it provides an exceptional service to both teachers and school districts.”

According to College Choice, the ranking is based on institutional reputation, graduation rates, selectivity, and faculty resources. The data from their ranking comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS database, U.S. News & World Report, Payscale, and individual college websites.

“Middle Tennessee State University makes it easy for you to jump into a degree program without falling behind from your previous education,” College Choice noted. “Through the Tennessee Transfer Pathway program, you can easily transfer credits from an in-state community college. This will help you wrap up your undergraduate degree and be prepared to progress forward!”

For more information about MTSU’s program, go to https://www.mtsu.edu/programs/english-second/index.php.

— Jimmy Hart (jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu)