The Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL): Certification Option

Admission has been suspended as of Summer 2020 while the program is being redesigned.

This program leads to New York State K-12 certification in TESOL. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 credits in a language other than English and an introductory course in linguistics (3 credits). A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required a well as GRE test scores for admission.

Program of Study (48 Credits)

Required Core Courses (39 credits)

  • E Psy 522 Adolescent Development (3)
  • E Spe 560 Introduction to Human Exceptionality (3)
  • E Tap 501 TESOL Methodology (3)
  • E Tap 536 Second Language Learning (3)
  • E Tap 550/A Lin 552 Approaches to English Grammar (3)
  • E Tap 598 Directed Field Experience in Education (3)
  • E Tap 635 Methods for Teaching Limited English Proficiency Children (3)
  • E Tap 652B Bilingual Development and Translanguaging (3)
  • E Tap 690T TESOL: Guided Field Experience and Seminar (12)
  • Choose one of the following for 3 credits:
    • E Tap 680 Research Seminar: Critical Introduction to Educational Research Paradigms (3)
    • E Tap 681 Research Seminar: Research in Practice (3)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

  • Choose one technology course for 3 credits:
    • E Tap 634 Using Media in the Language Classroom (3)
    • E Tap 653 Language, Literacy, and Technology (3)
    • Other technology course as advised (3)
  • Choose one linguistics course for 3 credits:
    • A Lin 521 Introduction to Syntactic Theory (3) A
    • A Lin 522 Introduction to Phonetics & Phonology (3)
    • E Tap 631 Introduction to Language in Education (3)
    • Other linguistics course as advised (3)
  • Choose one language and culture course for 3 credits:
    • A Ant 524 Language and Culture (3)
    • A Com 577 Culture and Communication (3)
    • E Tap 610/ E Ltl 610 Literacy in Society (3)
    • E Tap 657/ E Ltl 657 Literacy for English Language Learners (3)
    • Other language and culture course as advised (3)

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.

Additional Program/NYSED Requirements:

  • School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) Training
  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Training
  • DASA Training

As an approved teacher preparation program with the New York State Education Department, there may be additional certification requirements applicable. These requirements may include, but are not limited to additional workshops. Certification procedures and requirements are outlined on the School of Education’s Teacher Certification website

Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.

The TESOL MS (Certification) program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the TESOL MS (Certification) program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.

It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.