Mount Mercy University’s ESL degree program prepares future teachers with the tools and confidence to help others around them develop effective communication skills.
Recognized as one of the most highly regarded education programs in the state, Mount Mercy’s ESL degree, offered through the university’s highly regarded Education Department, connects students with experienced and dedicated education faculty who have the expertise to reach and support people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Students gain a solid foundation for sharing vital written and verbal English skills in their personal and professional lives with non-native speakers.
In our BA in English for Secondary Education program, you’ll learn instructional strategies, curriculum development, and classroom management tailored for middle and high schools. Engage in literature studies and writing instruction to inspire critical thinking and effective communication. Gain essential skills for classroom success.
Your education and degree can help you reach your professional goals. Mount Mercy University can never promise a career or particular outcome upon graduating. We encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here is a list of potential job titles, traits, and settings a graduate in our ESL program could achieve.
Our program instills the professional mindset necessary to be a successful ESL teacher. You will find success in learning in a supportive and hands-on learning environment where faculty are invested in your success.
Mount Mercy does a great job with educating you about those many types of students through classes. By providing field experience opportunities, you are really able to see what you’ve learned take place in person.
Student Teaching
Student teaching consists of supervised teaching, group and individual conferences, weekly seminars, attendance and participation in professional meetings, and involvement in other school activities. Application forms are made available during the spring term of your junior year.
You are given the opportunity to state a preference of schools (public or private), grade and/or subjects. Student teaching is done only in state-approved public and private schools in the metropolitan area with certified teachers, in the fall term of your senior year. It is offered pass-fail for all students.
For more information about the application and placement process, please see the current catalog.
Education Leadership Seminar
The Education Leadership Seminar focuses on topics of special importance to students finishing their ESL degree and assuming leadership roles in classroom and school settings. Key topics include:
The Education Leadership Seminar is our capstone event for the teacher education program, and is one of the requirements for graduation. Mount Mercy students have had successful field experiences and internships in many of the surrounding school districts, as well as Cedar Rapids Community Schools and the Metropolitan Catholic Schools. The Elementary Education program has an excellent reputation for the scope and quality of its field-based component.
Student-Iowa State Education Association (S-ISEA)
To supplement your coursework and practical experience, Mount Mercy offers the Student-Iowa State Education Association (S-ISEA) club. Through grants and fellowships, the program is able to present such programs as "Getting Engaged with Science" (Tandy Corporation Grant) and the "TORCH American History Institute" (McLeodUSA Consumer Services and Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Fund).
Mount Mercy University’s Elementary Education degree prepares you for licensure within the state of Iowa.
Mount Mercy has not determined if the curriculum meet licensure requirements in other states. Mount Mercy’s education program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education.
Take courses in everything from Foundations of Education and An Invitation to Teaching to Educational Psychology and Educating the Exceptional Person.
Pursue your english as a second language education degree, put your knowledge to work through guaranteed field experiences, and graduate ready for professional licensure by the State of Iowa.
Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.
We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.
Learn more about:
We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.
* Mount Mercy University Admissions
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
* If you are applying for an accelerated program, please mail to "Accelerated Programs"
For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.