Best Master's in Bilingual and Multilingual Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

1. 1

   Alder Graduate School of Education

   Redwood City, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • 16Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Education for Currently Credentialed Teachers
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Alder Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Arts in Education for Currently Credentialed Teachers, a program shaped entirely around educators who are already in the classroom and ready to deepen their craft. Cohorts of roughly 22 to 25 teachers move through the sequence together over 13 months, taking online coursework during the school year and gathering for in-person summer sessions before completing a capstone master's portfolio. The curriculum weaves together culturally responsive teaching, whole child education, multilingual learner instruction, and universal design for learning rather than treating them as isolated tracks. Teachers seeking bilingual capacity can follow a separate CTC-approved pathway to a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish, added in 2023. The cohort structure and year-long rhythm make this a practice-focused degree for working California teachers. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $88,104 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
2. 2

   Fordham University

   Bronx, NYPrivate nonprofit

   • 1Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Bilingual Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Fordham University offers a Master of Science for Teachers in Bilingual Childhood Education, an initial-certification degree that prepares candidates to teach grades 1 to 6 with a bilingual education extension in New York State. The 42-credit program, based at the Lincoln Center campus, pairs coursework in second language acquisition and multilingual literacy with two required student-teaching placements, one of which must take place in a bilingual classroom. Candidates must demonstrate competence in a non-English language through the ACTFL exam, transcript, or coursework, ensuring graduates can instruct authentically in two languages. The structure, with its supervised bilingual fieldwork and language-proficiency requirement, positions the degree as a direct pathway from graduate study into a New York bilingual classroom. It suits aspiring teachers who want both a master's credential and immediate classroom certification. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
3. 3

   CUNY City College

   New York, NYPublic

   • 20Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Bilingual Childhood Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   The City College of New York offers a Master of Science in Education in Bilingual Childhood Education, a flexible program that meets candidates at different points in their teaching careers. It is organized into three streams: Stream C, at 43 to 52 credits, leads to New York State initial certification for grades 1 to 6 plus a Bilingual Extension; Stream B serves already-certified teachers seeking only the extension; and Stream D offers a non-certification master's for those pursuing the degree alone. A Bilingual Extension is available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, and other languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of New York City classrooms. A dedicated pathway for NYC Teaching Fellows further ties the program to urban school staffing. This tiered structure makes it equally suited to new teachers, working educators adding a credential, and students focused on scholarship. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 20 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
4. 4

   Hofstra University

   Hempstead, NYPrivate nonprofit

   • 1Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Bilingual Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Hofstra University offers a Master of Arts in Bilingual Education designed for teachers who already hold New York State certification and want to add a bilingual education extension. Registered with the New York State Education Department and aligned with National Board of Professional Teaching Standards requirements, the 31-credit program leads to the bilingual extension for educators certified in early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, special subjects, or career and technical education. Its curriculum integrates literacy education, multicultural education, and instructional technology, and field experiences are tied to candidates' existing school placements so learning connects directly to their current classrooms. Evening classes scheduled at 4:30 or 6:30 and a two-year timeline make clear that the program is built around the lives of working teachers. It reads as a focused credential-builder for practicing educators extending into bilingual instruction. This master's-level bilingual and multilingual education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
5. 5

   CUNY Queens College

   Queens, NYPublic

   • 3Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Science in Education: TESOL
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Queens College offers a Master of Science in Education in TESOL that prepares candidates to teach English as a New Language across all grade levels, leading to New York State ENL/ESL certification. The curriculum grounds teachers in language structure, second language acquisition, literacy instruction, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics, and includes a bilingualism course covering the foundations of bilingual education alongside educational technology. Two credit tracks accommodate different starting points: 39 credits for candidates who already hold New York State teaching certification and 44 credits for those who do not. A requirement of at least 12 credits of study in a language other than English reinforces the program's commitment to genuine multilingual competence. Delivered in a hybrid format, it reads as a practical, certification-focused route into English language teaching for both new and established educators. A master's-level path in bilingual and multilingual education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
6. 6

   Teachers College at Columbia University

   New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

   • 19Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Bilingual/Bicultural Education (Academic Track)
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Teachers College, Columbia University offers a Master of Arts in Bilingual/Bicultural Education through its academic track, a degree oriented toward research and policy rather than classroom certification. Students shape the 33-credit program around a research focus in ethnography, discourse analysis, and language and literacy studies, a policy focus spanning educational policy, immigration curriculum, and language rights, or a teaching focus in literacy and content-area methods. Admitting only in the fall and available full-time or part-time, it requires fluency in English plus another language, grounding scholarship in lived bilingual experience. Because the academic track does not lead to teacher certification, it serves students drawn to bilingualism and biculturalism as fields of inquiry, though separate dual-certification tracks are available for those seeking to teach. The design points clearly toward researchers, analysts, and advocates in multilingual education. Earning a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
7. 7

   Bank Street College of Education

   New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

   • 5Master's/yr
   • $96,900Metro teacher pay
   • Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood Special and General Education (Dual Certification)
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Bank Street Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education in Dual Language/Bilingual Early Childhood Special and General Education, a dual-certification degree that prepares teachers to serve the youngest multilingual learners across ability levels. The 54-credit program leads to New York State certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2), Students with Disabilities (Birth to Grade 2), and a Bilingual Extension, positioning graduates for inclusive dual-language classrooms. It is built on Bank Street's signature supervised fieldwork model, with student teaching placed across three early childhood age levels and weekly peer consultation groups guided by faculty advisors. Candidates must bring fluency in Spanish or Mandarin, reflecting the program's grounding in authentic bilingual instruction. The combination of intensive mentored fieldwork and triple certification marks it as a rigorous, on-campus preparation for developmental early childhood educators. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
8. 8

   Southern Connecticut State University

   New Haven, CTPublic

   • 15Master's/yr
   • $79,820Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Science in Bilingual, Multicultural Education and TESOL
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Southern Connecticut State University offers a Master of Science in Bilingual, Multicultural Education and TESOL designed for educators who want to teach multilingual learners across a wide range of settings, from U.S. pre-K-12 classrooms to teaching English abroad, adult ESL, and community college programs. Graduates earn a globally recognized TESOL teaching credential, and in-service Connecticut teachers can pursue additional state certification in TESOL and Bilingual Education, making the program equally useful for newcomers and practicing teachers. Its signature Summer Residency Program pairs intensive on-ground summer classes with online and hybrid fall and spring courses, a rhythm that lets committed students finish in as little as 15 months. Three capstone options, including a comprehensive examination, give candidates room to shape a culminating experience around their interests. The blend of residency intensity and flexible online terms characterizes a program built for professionals who want depth without leaving the workforce. A master's-level path in bilingual and multilingual education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Haven, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,820, roughly $76,340 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
9. 9

   DePaul University

   Chicago, ILPrivate nonprofit

   • 2Master's/yr
   • $78,390Metro teacher pay
   • Applied Multilingual-Multicultural Education (Bilingual-Bicultural Education)
   • On-campus
   About the program

   DePaul University offers an on-campus master's in Applied Multilingual-Multicultural Education, available as either an M.A. or M.Ed., with concentrations in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language. Both tracks lead to an Illinois state endorsement, and students may work with an advisor to add an optional initial or subsequent teaching license, while the Bilingual concentration adds the state target language proficiency requirement. The 48 quarter-hour curriculum requires 100 documented field experience hours, keeping candidates connected to real classrooms, and M.A. students complete a thesis defended in an oral examination. That thesis expectation, paired with the program's attention to the sociopolitical, linguistic, and cultural dimensions of language education, signals a scholarly orientation for educators who want to examine language teaching critically as well as practice it. It reads as a program for teachers ready to combine endorsement preparation with sustained inquiry. Earning a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education is a common route toward becoming one of Illinois's elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
10. 10

    Dominican University

    River Forest, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 5Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education (Elevation), stacked with Bilingual or ESL Endorsement
    • Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Dominican University offers an online Master of Arts in Education (Elevation) that stacks directly onto its Bilingual or ESL endorsement coursework, giving licensed Illinois teachers a fast route from added endorsement to full master's degree. Educators pursue either the Bilingual Education or ESL track, each approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, with the bilingual pathway requiring 18 semester hours, 100 clock hours of field experience or comparable teaching, and a language proficiency exam. Teachers who already hold an LBS I endorsement can instead use a nine-hour Approval option, showing how the program adapts to different starting points. The distinctive appeal is efficiency: once the endorsement is complete, candidates need only four additional courses, or 12 semester hours, to finish the degree, sometimes in as little as one to three added semesters. The whole design characterizes a program that rewards continuing educators for the specialized work they have already done. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
11. 11

    Roosevelt University

    Chicago, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 33Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master's in Dual Language Teacher Leadership
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Roosevelt University offers a Master's in Dual Language Teacher Leadership, a cohort-based program that prepares experienced bilingual educators to step into leadership roles while adding both the Bilingual/ESL and Teacher Leader endorsements to an Illinois teaching license. Coursework in supervising and evaluating bilingual educators, measuring program effectiveness, and advocating for dual language education makes clear that this degree is about guiding programs and colleagues, not just teaching a single classroom. The 30-credit curriculum runs across four semesters and combines in-person summer sessions in Chicago or Schaumburg with online fall and spring courses, a hybrid rhythm that fits working teachers moving into leadership. A teacher leader practicum and capstone anchor the experience in applied, on-the-ground work. Described by the university as the only program of its kind in Illinois and funded by a $2.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant, it reads as a purpose-built pipeline for dual language leaders. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Illinois.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 33 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
12. 12

    Regis University

    Denver, COPrivate nonprofit

    • 27Master's/yr
    • $76,910Metro teacher pay
    • On-campus
    About the program

    This institution is listed as offering a master's program in bilingual and multilingual education. Earning a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education is a common route toward becoming one of Colorado's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 27 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,910, roughly $72,706 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
13. 13

    The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, TXPublicOnline available

    • 6Master's/yr
    • $61,720Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Bicultural-Bilingual Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a Master of Arts in Bicultural-Bilingual Education centered on designing and implementing bilingual and dual language programs in K-12 settings. The 30-hour, ten-course degree meets on a weekday evening schedule, with classes running from six to nearly nine at night alongside some online and hybrid options, a structure that assumes students are teaching during the day. A flexible culminating requirement lets candidates finish with a written or oral exam, a thesis, or a special project, accommodating both practice-minded and research-minded students. The standard M.A. does not include certification, but a parallel M.A. with Teacher Certification track serves candidates seeking initial licensure. This is a program shaped around working educators who want expertise in program design rather than an entry credential. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Texas.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,720, roughly $65,163 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
14. 14

    Texas State University

    San Marcos, TXPublic

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $61,270Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts / Master of Education in Elementary Education Bilingual/Bicultural
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Texas State University offers a Master of Arts / Master of Education in Elementary Education Bilingual/Bicultural for educators focused on Spanish-English classrooms at the PK-6 level. The program splits into two culminating paths that signal different destinations: the 30-hour M.A. requires a written thesis and is positioned as a runway toward doctoral study, while the 36-hour M.Ed. substitutes a comprehensive exit exam for teachers who want depth without the research track. A Spanish proficiency interview is part of admission, reflecting how central bilingual fluency is to the coursework. This master's-only version does not carry certification, and a separate M.Ed. path adds the EC-6 bilingual certification for those who need licensure. The design reads as a program that lets candidates choose between scholarly preparation and advanced classroom practice. Earning a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education is a common route toward becoming one of Texas's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,270, roughly $62,478 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
15. 15

    Boise State University

    Boise, IDPublicOnline available

    • 2Master's/yr
    • $61,230Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education, Language, Literacy and Culture
    • Online
    About the program

    Boise State University offers a Master of Arts in Education in Language, Literacy and Culture, a fully online degree that lets already-teaching educators specialize through Literacy Instruction, English as a Second Language, or Bilingual Education pathways. The program leads to an Idaho teaching endorsement in the chosen area rather than to initial certification, positioning it as advanced preparation for teachers building expertise on top of an existing career. Coursework is structured so that electives can also count toward stand-alone graduate certificates in Literacy Instruction, Bilingual Education K-12, or TESOL, giving students stackable credentials along the way. Delivered entirely online and typically finished in two years, it charges the same course fees to in-state and out-of-state students and makes graduate assistantships available. The overall shape is that of an accessible, endorsement-focused degree for practicing teachers who want to serve diverse learners more effectively. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Idaho.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boise City, ID, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,230, roughly $62,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
16. 16

    American College of Education

    Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 92Master's/yr
    • $60,510Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Teaching English Learners
    • Higher Learning Commission (institutional)-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    American College of Education offers an online Master of Education in Teaching English Learners, a 31-credit-hour degree that candidates can finish in roughly 10 to 15 months with multiple start dates spread across the year. Students can shape the program around an optional ESL track or a Bilingual Education track, tailoring the focus to the learners they serve. The accelerated, frequently starting format, backed by 24/7 student support and tutoring, points squarely at busy working teachers who want to add specialized expertise without a long interruption. The program notes that additional evidence may be required to meet individual state certification rules, so the degree itself does not guarantee a specific license. It functions as a fast, flexible professional-development pathway for educators of English learners. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 92 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,510, roughly $63,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
17. 17

    University of Northern Colorado

    Greeley, COPublicOnline available

    • 8Master's/yr
    • $60,160Metro teacher pay
    • Multilingual Education, M.A. (also offered as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education masters track)
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of Northern Colorado offers a Master of Arts in Multilingual Education, delivered online through UNC Extended Campus and structured around three distinct tracks that let teachers pick the credential that matches their goals. The World Languages track leads to a Colorado World Language teaching license across languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and other CDE-approved options, while the TESOL and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education tracks serve teachers focused on English learners. The CLD track leads to Colorado's K-12 CLD added endorsement and expects candidates to already hold licensure or a year of classroom experience, marking it as continuing preparation for working educators. Field experience completed in the student's own community keeps the coursework grounded in real classrooms. Most students move through the program in four to five semesters at six to ten credits each, a pace suited to teachers balancing full-time work. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Greeley, CO, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,160, roughly $60,054 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
18. 18

    Northern Arizona University

    Flagstaff, AZPublic

    • 12Master's/yr
    • $53,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in ESL and Bilingual Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Northern Arizona University offers a Master of Education in ESL and Bilingual Education designed to lead practicing and prospective teachers toward Arizona endorsements for working with language learners. Candidates choose between a Bilingual emphasis, which leads to the Arizona Bilingual Endorsement and calls for second-language proficiency, and an ESL emphasis, which leads to an ESL endorsement without that proficiency requirement. Offered in Flagstaff and online, the program runs in a hybrid format that folds online and blended coursework into both modes, keeping it accessible to educators across the state. Required fieldwork and an internship placement, capped by a capstone, tie the degree to real classroom practice, and admission calls for a personal statement and fingerprint clearance in keeping with its school-based orientation. The structure marks this as an endorsement-focused credential for teachers serving multilingual students. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Flagstaff, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $53,900, roughly $53,725 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
19. 19

    Texas A&M University-College Station

    College Station, TXPublicOnline available

    • 11Master's/yr
    • Master of Science / Master of Education in Bilingual/ESL Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Texas A&M University offers a Master of Science / Master of Education in Bilingual/ESL Education, a 36-hour degree available online or on campus and anchored in bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural awareness from early childhood through the post-secondary years. The two tracks diverge by intent: the M.Ed. pairs a field practicum with directed studies in a non-thesis format built for classroom practitioners, while the M.S. keeps a thesis option open for those leaning toward research. The program is affiliated with the university's Center for Research and Development in Dual Language Education, which grounds the coursework in an active scholarly community. Its flexible delivery and dual structure make it a fit for working teachers as well as students preparing for further study. This master's-level bilingual and multilingual education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Texas.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
20. 20

    Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, TXPrivate nonprofit

    • 3Master's/yr
    • Master of Bilingual Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Southern Methodist University offers a Master of Bilingual Education through its Simmons School, a 36-credit-hour program for preservice and in-service Spanish and English bilingual educators who bring near-native or native command of both languages. Across twelve courses, candidates can differentiate their study through specializations such as early literacy, late literacy, math and STEM, reading specialist, educational diagnostician, special education, and urban education, tailoring the degree to the classrooms and roles they aim to serve. Evening classes and a typical two-year timeline accommodate full-time working teachers. The program itself does not lead to teacher certification and is designed for candidates who already hold an initial teaching certificate, with separate SMU programs available to meet Texas SBEC requirements. Its breadth of specializations and its assumption of prior certification frame it as an advanced credential for committed bilingual professionals. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
21. 21

    Texas Tech University

    Lubbock, TXPublicOnline available

    • 11Master's/yr
    • Master of Education in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language
    • Online
    About the program

    Texas Tech University offers a fully online Master of Education in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language, structured as a bilingual and ESL specialization within its Curriculum and Instruction master's degree. The 30-credit-hour program is delivered entirely online, and out-of-state online-only students pay in-state tuition rates, an unusually accessible arrangement for a national audience of teachers. A distinctive option is an international field experience working with schools in Salamanca, Spain, which extends the coursework into an immersive setting for those who want it. The specialization framing signals a program meant to deepen the expertise of practicing educators in curriculum and instruction rather than to serve as a first credential. Its online delivery and tuition parity make it a flexible choice for teachers across states. A master's-level path in bilingual and multilingual education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Texas.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
22. 22

    Olivet Nazarene University

    Bourbonnais, ILPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 3Master's/yr
    • English as a Second Language and Bilingual Endorsement, with optional Master's Degree
    • Online
    About the program

    Olivet Nazarene University offers an online ESL and Bilingual Endorsement program that stacks into an optional master's degree, designed for licensed Illinois educators or those actively pursuing an Educator License. Teachers can choose an ESL Endorsement track, which requires no bilingual fluency, or a Bilingual Endorsement track that calls for passing a Target Language Proficiency test, and either route leads to a recognized Illinois teaching endorsement. The endorsement-only path is compact at 18 to 19 credit hours and completable in about 13 months, while the optional master's extends the work to 32 to 33 credit hours over roughly 23 months. Accelerated eight-week course sessions keep the pace brisk and manageable for working teachers. The stackable design, moving from a quick endorsement to a full degree, characterizes a program tailored to educators who want to expand their credentials in stages without stepping away from the classroom. As a master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Illinois.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
23. 23

    Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla

    Aguadilla, PRPrivate nonprofit

    • 9Master's/yr
    • Maestria en Educacion con Especialidad en Educacion Bilingue (Master's in Education with a Specialty in Bilingual Education)
    • Online
    About the program

    Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla offers an online Maestria en Educacion con Especialidad en Educacion Bilingue, a master's in education that the program page describes as unique in Puerto Rico. The 36-credit-hour curriculum divides into 12 core and 24 specialty hours and moves through the sociocultural, linguistic, and psycholinguistic foundations of bilingual education, TESOL principles, bilingual K-12 classroom methodology, and assessment in bilingual settings. Delivered online and taught in Spanish, it is oriented toward educators serving bilingual learners in Puerto Rican and Spanish-speaking contexts. The institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and authorized in Florida and Puerto Rico, and graduation requires a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The program reads as a methodology-rich degree for teachers building specialized bilingual expertise. A master's-level path in bilingual and multilingual education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Puerto Rico.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
24. 24

    University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

    Denver, COPublic

    • 35Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of Colorado Denver offers a Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education built for elementary and secondary teachers who want to deepen their practice with multilingual learners rather than earn a new license. The 30 credit-hour program is deliberately practice-oriented, anchored by a required research course and a culminating capstone, and it runs fully online through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous courses that most students finish in two to three years. A Personalized Professional Master's option lets students assemble five courses from thematic categories, signaling a program shaped around each educator's classroom priorities. Because the standalone degree does not carry licensure and does not require a current teaching license, it welcomes a broad audience, while separate CLDE and Bilingual Education Specialist endorsement pathways remain available to those who are already licensed. The result reads as a flexible, reflection-driven credential for practitioners committed to equity in diverse classrooms. This master's-level bilingual and multilingual education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Colorado.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 35 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
25. 25

    Texas A & M International University

    Laredo, TXPublic

    • 7Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Bilingual Education with a Specialization in Curriculum & Instruction
    • Online
    About the program

    Texas A&M International University offers an online Master of Science in Bilingual Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction, aimed at educators who want to deepen bilingual pedagogy rather than earn initial certification. The 33-credit-hour program pairs six core courses with five specialization courses and closes with a capstone course and research project, while related tracks in Educational Leadership, Reading, and Special Education let candidates align the degree with adjacent career goals. Delivered fully online in accelerated seven-week terms with six start dates a year, it can be completed in twelve months, a structure clearly built for busy working teachers. TAMIU's College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification, and the program is TEACH Grant eligible. It reads as a fast, flexible path to bilingual curriculum expertise and instructional leadership. Graduates of this bilingual and multilingual education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site

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