Graduate Studies in TESOL

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

M.A. in TESOL without licensure (36 credit hours)

International graduate students or graduates holding a bachelor's degree who want to teach abroad or pursue intensive language study will choose the M.A. degree without licensure.

ESL License for Licensed Teachers (27 credit hours)

Practicing Teachers who want to add an ESL license to their current credentials will choose this additional ESL license program.

ESL License + M.A. in TESOL (37 credit hours in the content area)

Candidates who have a baccalaureate degree but no teaching license can achieve their ESL license and can then apply 16 of those credits towards the M.A. in TESOL degree.

Graduate Certificate in TESOL (12 credits)

The graduate certificate is designed for individuals interested in professional development in TESOL or those wanting to teach adult basic education classes in the U.S. or English as a foreign language in other countries.

What You Will Know and Be Able to Do

If you possess a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue a graduate degree in TESOL, we have programs to meet your needs.  The English Department offers both graduate licensure, for those candidates who want to teach ESL in the public schools, and the M.A. in TESOL.

Upon completion of the graduate TESOL program, you will be able to

• teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
• understand both language acquisition and language learning and use techniques promoting both acquisition and learning in the classroom
• evaluate, design, and adapt instructional materials for specific language groups
• understand and use linguistic and language learning theories and the methods based upon these theories
• understand and use current teaching practices and techniques
• adapt current teaching practices and techniques to suit ESL learners from different cultural backgrounds, age groups, and language backgrounds
• comprehend the important relationship between language and culture as well as develop sensitivity and respect for non-native cultural and language groups