Teaching English as a Second Language, Master of Arts

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.
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Student Learning Outcomes

Teaching English as a Second Language M.A.
 
Upon completion of the MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), students will have the ability to:

• Apply knowledge of
  • the social and regional diversity of English,
  • the history of the English language,
  • the structure and uses of the English language,
  • English language discourse processes, and
  • genres to English language teaching and learning
• Apply critical and analytical skills to effective English language use and to English language instruction
• Understand second language learning processes in diverse cultural and educational contexts and the implications for language teaching and assessment
• Integrate technology into language instruction and materials development
• Evaluate language program effectiveness
• Apply knowledge of cross-cultural communication to teacher-student interactions, materials development, lesson plans, course design, community interactions, and assessment instruments
• Apply knowledge of theoretical and practical issues from applied linguistics and ESL methodology to innovative and effective English language teaching practices
• Become active professionals in Applied Linguistics and related fields through participation in professional development seminars; local, national, and international conferences; practice teaching; research experience; and/or in doctoral programs.

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.

• • Personal Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages in length)
  • 3 letters of recommendation required only for those MA TESL applicants applying for Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Master's Requirements

• Take the following 37 units:
  

  • ENG 504, ENG 518, ENG 528, ENG 548, ENG 638 (15 units)
  Select one of the following options:

• • 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 need to take more than the 6 units of thesis that can be counted toward your degree, because you must enroll in ENG 699 each semester that 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 need to take more than the 6 units of thesis that can be counted toward your degree, because you must enroll in ENG 699 each semester that 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 for Practicing Teachers (22 units)
    
    • ENG 558 (3 units)
    • ENG 538, ENG 559, ENG 688 (7 units)
    • Electives (9 units)
    • ENG 685 (3 units)

• 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.

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