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

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

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

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.

6 required courses (18 credits):
EDUC 601 - Human Learning and Cognition
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language
3 professional specialization courses (9 credits) selected from among the following:
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of English
EDUC 667 - Structure of English for TESOL
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition
EDUC 673 - Technology, Language and Intercultural Communication
EDUC 677 - Teaching and Assessing Second Language Speaking and Listening
EDUC 689 - Advanced Special Topics in Education (e.g., ESOL and Special Education, Dual Language Instruction)
EDUC 711 - Approaches to English Language Teaching for Adults
2 research specialization courses (6 credits) selected from these or other theory/method courses from other departments chosen in consultation with an advisor:
EDUC 645 - Quantitative Research Methods I
EDUC 672 - Multilingualism
EDUC 684 - Qualitative Research Methods in School and Community
EDUC 771 - Research Designs in Education
6 credits of thesis research:
EDUC 799 - Master’s Thesis Research (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
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of English
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL
EDUC 667 - Structure of English for TESOL
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language
EDUC 794 - TESOL Project Seminar
Required internships (9 credits):
EDUC 791S - Practicum for P-12 ESOL Certification
EDUC 792L - Internship for P-12 ESOL Certification
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
EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I
EDUC 625 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginning Learners of English
EDUC 636 - Language Assessment
EDUC 644 - Educational Linguistics
EDUC 655 - Teaching Reading and Writing to Intermediate and Advanced Learners of English
EDUC 666 - Intercultural Communication and Sociolinguistics for TESOL
EDUC 667 - Structure of English for TESOL
EDUC 670 - Second Language Acquisition
EDUC 688 - Methodology of Teaching English as an Additional Language
Note: Thesis research takes the place of EDUC 794: TESOL Project Seminar
Required internships (9 credits):
EDUC 791S - Practicum for P-12 ESOL Certification
EDUC 792L - Internship for P-12 ESOL Certification
Thesis Research

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