2013-2014

Teaching English as a Second Language, Master of Arts

Department of English

College of Arts and Letters

This program of study covers a blend of theoretical and practical issues, ranging from sociolinguistics to assessment-of-skills to language acquisition and how it can be facilitated. Students also have the opportunity for a one-semester supervised teaching experience. This advanced degree can also prepare interested students for Ph.D.-level studies in applied linguistics.

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion 37
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Arizona Certification/Endorsement

May prepare student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement based on options selected.
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Oral Defense Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Foreign Language A foreign language may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
    • Applied Linguistics (22 units)
      • ENG 558 or ENG 559 (3 units)
      • ENG 658, ENG 668, ENG 688 (7 units)
      • Electives, of which 3-6 units must be graduate-level applied linguistics courses. This may include up to 6 units of ENG 699, upon petition to the applied linguistics faculty, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. (12 units)
        • Please note that you may end up taking more than the 6 units of thesis you can count toward your degree, because you must enroll for ENG 699 each semester you are working on your thesis.

    • You must also:

      • Have your writing skills evaluated during your first year of study; and
      • Take a comprehensive exam.

    • Language Teaching (22 units)
      • ENG 558, ENG 559, ENG 578, ENG 688 (13 units)
      • Electives, of which 3-6 units must be in graduate applied linguistics courses. This may include up to 6 units of ENG 699, upon petition to the applied linguistics faculty, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. (9 units)
        • Please note that you may end up taking more than the 6 units of thesis credit you can count toward your degree because you must register for ENG 699 each semester you are working on your thesis.

    • You must also:

      • Have your writing skills evaluated during your first year of study; and
      • Take a comprehensive exam.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.