The MA in English (TESOL) is an intensive program that can be completed in four quarters. The program is designed to foster the awareness, understanding, and skills necessary for the effective teaching of English to speakers of other languages. Through study in language, pedagogy, and culture, it prepares educators to work with adult language learners in the United States and abroad. Graduates are qualified to work in colleges and universities, private institutes, and programs and schools in the United States and abroad that provide instruction in English.
Admission Requirements: Pre- or co-requisites to completion of the program include an upper-division linguistics course and intermediate to high proficiency in a second language. International students whose first language is not English automatically meet this proficiency prerequisite. Applicants can be admitted to the program without this background, but they will be required to gain it while enrolled in the program. Students who do not have the prerequisites or who have assistantships 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:
- Thirty quarter credits of college courses in a foreign language with a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses
- Intermediate to high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview
- Intermediate to high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 570 paper-based (230 computer-based/88 Internet-based; those with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. university may opt for a satisfactory TOEFL or GRE score. 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 an exam option.
Thesis or Exam Option: The thesis option requires candidates to write a thesis and pass a one-hour oral examination over the thesis. In order to choose the thesis option, students must have a GPA of 3.75 or higher in the program. If the exam option is chosen, students must pass a comprehensive written examination and take an additional approved elective. In order to prepare for the exam, students will register for two credits of ENG 596.
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