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Master of Arts
World Language Education
Grades 7–12, Initial Certification

Not Accepting Applications

To best meet the needs of our students, we have decided to suspend enrollment in the standalone World Language Education initial certification program. We encourage you to explore our dual-certification World Language Education and TESOL degree or our non-certification World Language Education degree.

Train for a career teaching Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish at the secondary level in local or international settings. You'll study language development and pedagogy, and gain valuable classroom experience through student teaching placements in New York City schools. This program leads to eligibility for New York State initial teaching certification for grades 7–12.

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Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Master of Arts in Teaching a World Language, Grades 7–12, Initial Certification

Licensure or Certification
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
39

The MA in World Language Education combines core foundation classes and content electives with fieldwork and student teaching. You’ll study teaching methods, linguistics, your target world language, second language acquisition research, intercultural and multicultural perspectives in education, students with special needs, and adolescent learners in urban context. You’ll graduate with:

  • World language teaching approaches that can be adjusted to suit the needs of learners from diverse linguistic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds
  • An understanding of urban educational environments and the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence learning
  • Knowledge of world language pedagogy, world language acquisition research, linguistics, and intercultural or multicultural studies

Flexible Program of Study

This degree may be completed in four academic semesters or on an accelerated, full-time basis in a little more than a calendar year. You may also choose to take additional coursework to extend your teaching certification to include grades K–6.

Student Teaching Placements

You’ll complete two semesters of student teaching your target world language at two different New York City schools and grade levels while simultaneously taking a student teaching seminar. You’ll receive feedback and guidance from cooperating teachers and our faculty, and you’ll be able to directly apply your learnings as you develop your teaching style and techniques.

Upon completion of this degree, you’ll be eligible for New York State initial teaching certification for grades 7–12, and will have the skills you need to pursue positions as:

  • A world language teacher in elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, universities, community organizations, and immigrant resettlement agencies
  • A curriculum developer, specialist, or evaluator
  • A researcher, teacher educator, trainer, or program coordinator in governmental and nonprofit educational agencies and multinational corporations

Learn more about teacher certification and our degree's accreditation.

Questions 

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Program Director Lorena Llosa at lorena.llosa@nyu.edu.

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