Admission Criteria

Applications for admission to the MA in LOTE and TESOL programs are made to the Graduate Admission Office. Students who do not fully meet admission requirements may be required to complete prerequisite courses concurrently with the completion of the program requirements. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 or higher GPA;
2. Prior course work in a target language (see World Language Content Requirements below);
3. Personal statement describing the applicant’s intent and rationale for entering the program;
4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in the teacher education program coursework;
5. TOEFL score of 80 or above (for international applicants); and
6. Interview with the coordinator of the program.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success in the program. Candidates may wish to apply even if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

World Language Content Requirements

Students admitted to the MA in LOTE and TESOL program should possess a bachelor’s degree in Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese, Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish, German, or Russian, or a minimum of 30 s.h. in college-level course work above level four.

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in a world language and are native speakers or skilled and proficient in languages other than English may demonstrate their knowledge in an alternative manner. Candidates can earn a maximum of 24 semester hours of credit toward the content core, bypassing both the oral and written proficiency portions of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) examination. Additional foreign language coursework can be taken at the undergraduate level. The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Written Proficiency Test (WPT) must both be taken and passed to receive the credit.

Program Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 37

The graduate director will review the academic standing of all graduate students at the end of each semester.  A student must maintain a 3.0 average to be considered in good standing.  Students who do not maintain a 3.0 average will be placed on academic probation.  Students who earn more than one C-, C, or C+ per semester, accumulate more than two C-, C, or C+ grades in their graduate coursework, or receive a D or an F in any course will be dismissed from the program.  In addition to the required GPA, students must demonstrate adequate competence and professionalism throughout all coursework and fieldwork.  If the director or program faculty determines that a student has failed to demonstrate this standard, they will be dismissed from the program.  Students may petition for readmission by following the School of Education Appeal policy.

Field Experiences

Field experiences are required in each of the following courses:

• ELED 225 - Teaching English as a Second Language : 25 clock hours with English Language Learners, grades 1-6
• LYST 213A - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for ESL Teachers : 30 clock hours in varied settings
• SED 267 - Teaching English to Adolescent and Adult Speakers of Other Languages : 25 clock hours with English Language Learners, grades 7-12
• SED 291L - Internship in Secondary World-Language Education : 50 supervised clock hours in the foreign language classroom, grades 7-12
• SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools : 20 clock hours in settings with students with special needs in high-needs schools, including placement with economically disadvantaged children (grades preK-12)

A minimum of 150 clock hours of college supervised field experience is required.
 

Graduation Requirements

1. All coursework for the MA in LOTE and TESOL Program must have an overall GPA of 3.0, with no grades below B in required courses.
2. All world language content requirements.
3. 37 s.h. of course work.
4. A portfolio illustrating the student’s educational coursework and professional accomplishments.
5. All coursework taken in satisfaction of the program requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnote*

Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.