Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, MA

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Online – Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

For over 20 years, NU has trained students to work in the field of TESOL. The MA-TESOL will uniquely prepare graduates to work or teach in a variety of intercultural settings or pursue entry to Ph.D. programs.

The 36-credit MA-TESOL program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a variety of disciplines and currently live domestically or internationally. The program will provide students with a foundation in TESOL pedagogy, linguistics, and intercultural studies.

Globally, people use English in diverse contexts, creating high demand for TESOL professionals, particularly individuals who have completed a master’s degree.

The MA-TESOL program combines a cohort-based community approach to learning with an online delivery method. The online Master’s degree serves the needs of students desiring a combination of an interactive learning experience with the flexibility of electronically mediated coursework. The MA-TESOL allows working professionals to remain fully engaged in their career. This format will create a rich environment of teachers who engage with the material and their peers based on their students, classroom location and a variety of experiences including life, teaching, and language learning.

The 36-credit program can be completed in 23 months, taking one or two courses at a time.

Program Highlights

Ethics and Integrity – Because we are a Christian institution, learning opportunities will be centered in the context of a distinctive, ethically responsible worldview. Unique courses in this MA-TESOL program are Language, Culture, and Power, and Globalization; both courses encourage students to consider their potential impact on a larger social scale.

Quality – Professors bring extensive experience teaching in the field of TESOL to this program and prepared carefully designed courses. As a culminating project, each student will write a graduate thesis suitable for publication.

Convenience – Students in the MA-TESOL program will benefit from the convenience of studying through the online format. By taking one or two classes at a time, you can balance work and home responsibilities and complete the degree in less than two years. You can start in fall or spring.

Join a Community – You will not be on your own as you pursue your degree. You start and finish the MA-TESOL with the same group of students. Your cohort will become a support network of trusted friends. You’ll be assigned an advisor to assist you.

International Experience – Students will have the opportunity to conduct their thesis research at an international location.

Relevant Professional Training – Practical courses provide you with real-world insight and skills that you can apply right away.

Qualified and Caring Faculty – The instructors who will teach in this program are highly qualified to serve, as they represent academic preparation from a broad range of content areas and bring to the classroom years of practical experience. Instructors have experience teaching both overseas, and/or in the U.S., and have experience teaching at the university level. Faculty members all have professional experience, in addition to their academic qualifications, and are available to advise and guide students.

Program Admission Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Arts or Science (or equivalent degree) from a regionally accredited college or university
• GRE required only for students with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.3 (on a 4 point scale).
• Minimum GRE score of 155 on verbal portion of exam (500 on exams prior to August 1, 2011) or MAT score of 400.
• TOEFL score of 90 on the iBT or 580 on the paper-based test required for all non-native English speakers. GRE is waived for applicants with this TOEFL score.
• MA-TESOL students may transfer up to 6 credit hours of eligible graduate level coursework (subject to Program Director’s approval) from an accredited institution towards their degree.

Academic Progress:

The MA in TESOL communicates mastery of technical skills, so students must demonstrate mastery with a grade of B- or above on all courses taken, including electives. Should a student earn a grade of C+ or below in any class, the student will be placed on academic probation for one semester. In order to replace a grade of C+ or lower, the student will be responsible to pay again for tuition and retake the course. If a student’s grades are below a B- for a second semester the student may be dismissed from the program.