University creates new online masters degree specialization

University creates new online masters degree specialization

Valley City State University (VCSU) has recently announced the addition of a new concentration in English Language Learners (ELL) as part of the school's online masters degree in education.

The program has been developed to help prospective educators meet the requirements needed to comply with the No Child Left Behind Policy and teach students with a limited proficiency in English.

"The number of non-English-speaking students entering public education systems is rapidly increasing, and this has created a pressing need for qualified ELL teachers," said VCSU president Steve Shirley.

"Providing these students with a quality education requires that the teacher be well-prepared to address their unique needs, and that is exactly what our ELL program does," he added.

The program meets the requirements for ELL certification in North Dakota and the 19 other states in the World Class Instructional Design and Assessment consortium.

Online education has been praised as a cheaper and more flexible instruction option that allows adult learners such as busy parents or working professionals to earn a degree without interrupting their lives.