MEd in World and Heritage Language Education

Become an expert in foreign language education.

Our Master of Education (MEd) in World and Heritage Language Education (WHLE) provides advanced study in foreign language education. Our students include current teachers seeking continuing education as well as international students who are interested in teaching English in their home country or staying in the United States to teach their native language.

Students have the option of combining our MEd degree with two specializations:

K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) state endorsement
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) certificate from Pitt

Courses in the MEd in WHLE program implement a practice-based approach to enhance students’ knowledge of the application of teaching strategies essential to the field of foreign language education.

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Master of Education (MEd)
Optional specializations in ESL and TESOL

Credits

MEd - 36 credits
MEd with ESL - 37 credits
MEd with TESOL - 36 credits

Format

In-Person

Time Commitment

Full-time or Part-Time

Duration

2 years (Full-time)
3-5 years (Part-time)

Enrollment Term

Fall (Full-time students)
Spring or Summer (Part-time students)

Application Deadline

March 1

Admissions Requirements

GRE Exam is not required

Language Proficiency

TOEFL - Minimum 80
IELTS - Minimum 6.5
Duolingo Test - 110

Program Overview

Comprehensive Focus

The MEd in World and Heritage Language Education (WHLE) program emphasizes current theories and methods for teaching and evaluating students, curriculum and materials development, and international and global education.

The program was formerly named the MEd in Foreign Language Education. The name was changed in 2021 to reflect the School of Education’s commitment to equity and justice in education.

Diverse Student Cohort

Students in the MEd in WHLE program come from all over the world. We have a mix of domestic students, as well as many students from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The majority of international students are from China.

Who Should Apply

Current teachers who are seeking continuing education credits or are interested in earning a K-12 ESL endorsement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Domestic students who don’t require teaching certification but are seeking an advanced degree in foreign language education
International students who are planning to teach but are not eligible for certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education

The program does not provide a pathway to new teacher certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Students interested in becoming state-certified as foreign language education teachers should pursue our school’s Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education (for undergraduates) or Master of Arts in Teaching programs (for graduate students).

Degree Requirements

Students complete a guided research project on a topic of their choice and must successfully pass the World and Heritage Language Education Comprehensive Exam near the end of their program.

Students in this program complete their coursework entirely in the School of Education.

International students from our program receive the training necessary to become language teachers in American schools or in their home countries.

This program is for individuals who already hold their Instructional 1 certification as teachers.

Completion of the program allows students to become Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialists.

Many of our students graduate and teach ESL solely or add ESL to their teaching responsibilities.

This program is for individuals wishing to study or teach in the area of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).

Students in this program also complete a one-credit practicum experience that requires students to teach a course in the university’s English Language Institute.

The MEd with TESOL certificate is giving me the opportunity to start a new career. The small class sizes and expert teachers all combine for an excellent learning experience."
Janet Asbury - Pitt alumni

"One to the reasons I chose Pitt was because I realized that many of my own past teachers, especially foreign language teachers, had gotten their master's at Pitt."
Francesca Cappetta - Pitt alumni

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Prerequisites

Master of Education in WHLE

No specific prerequisites for the program

Master of Education in WHLE with K-12 ESL Endorsement

Applicants must already have their Instructional 1 certification as a licensed K-12 teacher

Master of Education in WHLE with TESOL Specialization

No specific prerequisites for the program

Curriculum

Master of Education (MEd) in WHLE

36 credits

Program coursework emphasizes practical application of current theories and methods for teaching and evaluating students as well as curriculum and materials development.

Unique features of the program include six credits of practicum coursework and six credits of research methodology

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Master of Education with K-12 ESL Endorsement

37 credits

The program incorporates coursework in both the School of Education and the Department of Linguistics in Pitt’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

Students also complete a practicum experience that requires them to work with K-12 English Learners.

Students who are already employed are able to complete their practicum in their school district.

Master of Education in WHLE with TESOL Specialization

36 credits

The program incorporates coursework from the School of Education and from Pitt’s Department of Linguistics in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

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