Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.S.

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(33 UNITS)

Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) students learn to teach the English language. The degree is a multi-disciplinary program involving study in the fields of English, linguistics, education, anthropology, American studies, human communication studies and psychology. It focuses on training English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers of adult second-language learners of English at adult schools, private and public colleges and universities, and elsewhere. Graduates may pursue doctoral studies or work as instructors in adult and community college ESL programs. Some graduates work as resource specialists and program coordinators, while others have taught or trained teachers abroad. Students receive personalized attention from the program’s dedicated faculty advisers to determine their best paths.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, the candidate must have a 3.0 grade-point average in the major and a minimum 2.7 GPA in the last 60 semester units attempted.

Prerequisites

Two years of one foreign language, or one year each of two different foreign languages or the equivalent, with an average 3.0 GPA or better;
MLNG 301 or (for non-native English speaking students) TESL 301 with a “B-” (2.7) or better, or with program approval, the EWP with a score of 6 or better;
ENGL 303 or TESL 315 with a “B-” (2.7) or better;
one of the following: AMST 301 , AMST 345 , ANTH 300 , CPLT 325 , ENGL 300 , ENGL 305 , HCOM 320 , TESL 445 or equivalent with a “B-” (2.7) or better;
one of the following: LING 106 , LING 206 or LING 406 with a “B-” (2.7) or better; and
oral and written proficiency in English will be determined during the student’s first semester in the program. For non-native English-speaking applicants who completed their bachelor’s degrees in a language other than English, the following are required: a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall, or a minimum TOEFL score of 573 for paper-based or 89 for the iBT; a minimum score of 26 on the speaking section of the iBT or 7.0 on the speaking section of the IELTS (to be verified no later than at the end of the student’s first semester in the program).

Degree Requirements

Students must obtain a minimum “B-” (2.7) in each core course and a “B” (3.0) average in all core, language pedagogy and elective courses combined.

Core Courses (21 units)

Language Pedagogy (3 units)

Additional Information

* In at least one of these courses, students must complete 16 hours of service learning at a site approved by the TESOL program

** Must take at the end of the program and consult with an adviser the semester prior

Electives (9 units)

Culture and Literature

Language and Linguistics

Testing, Technology and Research

Professional Education

Elementary

Secondary

Adult/College

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience marks the end of a graduate program. It demonstrates mastery of disciplinary materials and meets requirements from Section 40510 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Please consult the Culminating Experience section in this catalog for more information.

Students must take a written comprehensive examination covering all the courses completed in the program. An oral examination may also be required. The candidate may, with the approval of the graduate committee, repeat the examination, but only once and within two years of having taken it for the first time.