Program: TESOL, M.A. - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Jul 11, 2025

2020-2021 Graduate Catalog

The master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL) has four options.

Option 1: MASTER OF ARTS IN TESOL - GENERAL (36 CREDITS)

The general MA TESOL program consists of 12 three-credit courses.

8 required courses (24 credits):
EDUC 601 - Human Learning and Cognition [3]
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I [3]
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English [3]
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics [3]
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL [3]
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language [3]
EDUC 794 - TESOL Project Seminar [3]
EDUC 792S - TESOL Internship [3]
4 elective courses (12 credits) selected from among the following:
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment [3]
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of Engilsh [3]
EDUC 667 - The Grammar of American English for ESOL Teachers [3]
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition [3]
EDUC 672 - Multilingualism [3]
EDUC 673 - Technology, Language and Intercultural Communication [1-3]
EDUC 677 - Teaching and Assessing Second Language Speaking and Listening 3
EDUC 689 - Advanced Special Topics in Education [1-3]
EDUC 711 - Approaches to English Language Teaching for Adults [3]

Option 2: MASTER OF ARTS IN TESOL WITH THESIS (39 CREDITS)

The MA TESOL with thesis consists of 11 3-credit courses plus 6 credits of thesis research.

Thesis students take required and elective courses, including in research theory and method, and write a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor and two or more committee members. Students may do thesis research in the United States or abroad.

7 required courses (21 credits):
EDUC 601 - Human Learning and Cognition [3]
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I [3]
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English [3]
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics [3]
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL [3]
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language [3]
EDUC 771 - Research Designs in Education [3]
3 professional specialization courses (9 credits) selected from among the following:
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment [3]
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of Engilsh [3]
EDUC 667 - The Grammar of American English for ESOL Teachers [3]
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition [3]
EDUC 673 - Technology, Language and Intercultural Communication [1-3]
EDUC 677 - Teaching and Assessing Second Language Speaking and Listening 3
EDUC 689 - Advanced Special Topics in Education [1-3]
EDUC 711 - Approaches to English Language Teaching for Adults [3]
1 research specialization course (3 credits) selected from these or other theory/method courses from other departments chosen in consultation with an advisor:
EDUC 645 - Quantitative Research Methods I [3]
EDUC 672 - Multilingualism [3]
EDUC 684 - Qualitative Research Methods in School and Community [3]
6 credits of thesis research:
EDUC 799 - Master’s Thesis Research [2-9] (typically taken twice at 3 credits each)
- Note: Thesis supervision is not normally available during the summer session

Option 3: MASTER OF ARTS IN TESOL WITH P-12 CERTIFICATION (42 CREDITS)

The MA TESOL with P-12 certification consists of 11 3-credit courses as well as 100 days of clinical experience in public elementary and secondary schools over two semesters following Maryland State Department of Education requirements, one 3-credit internship and one 6-credit internship.

Required courses (33 credits):
EDUC 601 - Human Learning and Cognition [3]
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I [3]
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English [3]
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment [3]
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics [3]
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of Engilsh [3]
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL [3]
EDUC 667 - The Grammar of American English for ESOL Teachers [3]
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition [3]
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language [3]
EDUC 794 - TESOL Project Seminar [3]
Required internships (9 credits):
EDUC 791S - Practicum for P-12 ESOL Certification [3]
EDUC 792L - Interternship for P-12 ESOL Certification [6]
To earn certification, students must also pass state-mandated teacher examinations. For more information see Maryland Praxis requirements.

Option 4: MASTER OF ARTS IN TESOL WITH THESIS AND P-12 CERTIFICATION (51 CREDITS)

The MA TESOL with certification and thesis is comprised of the requirements for both.

Certification Requirements

Required courses (30 credits):
EDUC 601 - Human Learning and Cognition [3]
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I [3]
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English [3]
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment [3]
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics [3]
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of Engilsh [3]
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL [3]
EDUC 667 - The Grammar of American English for ESOL Teachers [3]
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition [3]
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language [3]
Note: Thesis research takes the place of EDUC 794: ISD Project Seminar
Required internships (9 credits):
EDUC 791S - Practicum for P-12 ESOL Certification [3]
EDUC 792L - Interternship for P-12 ESOL Certification [6]
Thesis Requirements

1 required research course (3 credits):
EDUC 771 - Research Designs in Education [3]
1 research specialization course (3 credits) selected from these or other theory/method courses from other departments chosen in consultation with an advisor:
EDUC 645 - Quantitative Research Methods I [3]
EDUC 672 - Multilingualism [3]
EDUC 684 - Qualitative Research Methods in School and Community [3]
6 credits of thesis research:
EDUC 799 - Master’s Thesis Research [2-9]
- Note: Thesis supervision is not normally available during the summer session