English: TESOL, M.A.

Master of Arts English (TESOL–Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

The M.A. in English (TESOL) is designed to foster the awareness, understanding, and skills necessary for effective teaching of English to speakers of other languages. The program can be completed in three or four quarters with an intensive course of study. It prepares educators to work with adult language learners in the U.S. and abroad through study in language, pedagogy, and culture. Graduates are qualified to work in American colleges and universities, private ESOL institutes, and programs and schools abroad that provide instruction in English. Students who are already certified to teach in Washington public schools may also receive endorsement in TESOL with some additional work.

Admission Requirements Pre- or co-requisites to completion of the program include an introductory linguistics course and intermediate-high proficiency in a foreign language. Students can be admitted to the program without this background, but they will be required to gain this background while enrolled in the program. Students who do not have the pre-requisites are strongly advised to complete the program over a two-year period due to the challenging workload.
The language proficiency requirement may be met in one of three ways:

1. 30 quarter credits of college courses in a foreign language with a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses,
2. intermediate-high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview, or
3. intermediate-high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test.

The following admission requirements are in addition to the University regulations concerning admission to graduate degree programs. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit one of the following:

1. a minimum TOEFL score of 580 paper-based (237 computer-based/92 Internet-based), or
2. a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. university.

If the applicant’s native language is English, scores for the GRE general test are required. All applicants for assistantships must submit a writing sample of 5-10 pages directly to the English department. The writing sample must include the student’s name, birth date, and student ID number for identification.

General Requirements of the Program The program consists of 45 credits, as outlined below, and offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option.

Thesis or Non-Thesis Option The thesis option requires candidates to write a thesis, and pass a one-hour oral examination over the thesis. If the non-thesis option is selected, the student will be required to successfully complete six credits of individual study and submit a superior or pedagogical paper.