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

Jul 16, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Students may complete the MA TESOL on campus, online or through a combination of on campus and online courses. The program is flexible so that students can study at their own pace. 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.

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 LICENSURE (42 CREDITS)

The MA TESOL with P-12 licensure 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 LICENSURE (51 CREDITS)

The MA TESOL with licensure 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