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

This masters program is designed for those who wish to teach English as a second language or English as a foreign language in adult, college-level, or overseas situations. For K-12 teaching in the U.S., the TESOL program with certification option is more appropriate and is described under Masters Programs Providing Initial Preparation to Teach.

Applicants who are native speakers of English must have 12 hours of study of another language and culture. Non-native speakers must have a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based, 100 on the internet-based, or 250 on the computerized Test of English as a Foreign Language proficiency (TOEFL). An introductory course in linguistics (3 credits) is also required.

Program of Study (30 Credits)

Language Core (12 credits)

• Tap 550 (Lin 552) Approaches to English Grammar (3)
• Tap 536 Second Language Learning (3)
• Tap 631 Introduction to Language in Education (3)
• Tap 652B Bilingual Development and Translanguaging (3)

Language in Use (6 credits) - Choose two from the following courses:

• Ant 524 Language and Culture (3)
• Ant/Lin/Ltl 526 Language Acquisition, B-2 (3)
• Lin 523 Linguistic Structures (3)
• Ltl/Tap 610 Literacy in Society (3)
• Ltl 657 Reading in a Second Language (3)
• Psy 565 Psychology and Language (3)
• Psy 624 Human Memory (3)
• Tap 636 Pragmatics (3)
• Tap 660 Literacy and Culture (3)
• Com 575 Interpersonal Communication (3)
• Com 577 Culture and Communication (3)
• Com 585 Conversation Analysis (3)
• Other course as advised (3)

Language Teaching Methodology (6 credits)

• Tap 501 The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (3)
• Tap 599 Directed Field Experience in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (clinic classes; two semesters for 3 credits)
• Tap 695 Master's Internship in Educational Theory and Practice (3)
• Other course as advised (3)

Research and Educational Technology (6 credits)

• One research seminar from the following (3):
  • Tap 680 Critical Introduction to Educational Research Paradigms (3)
  • Tap 681 Research in Practice (3)
  • Tap 699 Master’s Thesis in Educational Theory and Practice (for a minimum of 3 credits)
• One course from the following (3):
  • Tap 524 Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum (3)
  • Tap 526 Educational Computing (3)
  • Tap 634 Using Media in the Language Classroom (3)
  • Tap 653 Language, Literacy and Technology (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.