Graduate Catalog
Degree Programs

Master of Arts
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Dr. Carl Brucker, Head
Witherspoon Hall, Room 142
(479) 968-0256
cbrucker@atu.edu

The Master of Arts degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) includes the four courses prescribed by the Arkansas Department of Education for ESL endorsement within a flexible degree program. The MA in TESOL can enhance the credentials of K-12 teachers, prepare students for careers in post-secondary teaching in the United States or overseas, and serve as a foundation for doctorial-level studies.

Students who complete the MA in TESOL should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of a second language.
  2. Generate writing that demonstrates as advanced ability to analyze and synthesize.
  3. Conduct original research.

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Arts degree program in TESOL if they meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet all of the departmental requirements may be accepted conditionally provided the deficiencies are completed prior to the completion of twelve (12) semester hours of graduate work.

Applicants who fail to meet the grade point requirement specified for unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally to enroll for a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours. If a student was admitted conditionally based on grade point average, the condition will be met if upon completion of twelve (12) semester hours a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better is achieved.

Academic Advisors

The director of the program will assign a faculty advisor to each student admitted to the degree program. The advisor will assist the student in the design of a curriculum of study that leads to the fulfillment of degree requirements. Subsequently, the academic advisor, the Department Graduate Committee, and the Graduate College monitor the student's progress through the program. It remains, however, the student's responsibility to understand and to satisfy all degree requirements.

Admission to Candidacy

Students who have been granted conditional admission are eligible for admission to candidacy for the degree upon the completion of twelve (12) hours with a 3.00 grade point average or better and completion of all deficiencies. Students who have been granted unconditional admission are eligible for admission to candidacy upon completion of twelve (12) hours with a 3.00 grade point average or better. Students who do not submit an "Application for Admission to Candidacy" prior to the end of the semester in which the student becomes eligible will not be allowed to register for subsequent graduate classes.

Degree Requirements

  1. The satisfactory completion of the following 30 semester hours of graduate work.

    TESL 5023 or ENGL 5023 Second Language Acquisition*
    TESL 5703 or ENGL 5703 Teaching English as a Second Language*
    TESL 5713 or ENGL 5713 ESL Assessment*
    TESL 5723 or ENGL 5723 Teaching People of Other Cultures*

    TESL or ENGL 5000-6000 level Electives selected from the following (18 smester hours):

    TESL 6003 Linguistics for ESL Teachers
    TESL 6013 Modern English Grammar and Usage or ENGL 6013 Structure of the English Language
    TESL 6023 Language and Society
    TESL 6033 Oral and Written Communication or ENGL 6023 Composition for Teachers
    TESL 6053 Tesol Assessment Strategies
    TESL 6063 Instructional Strategies in Content Areas and
    TESL 6143 Reading for English Language Learners
    TESL 6863 TESOL Practicum or ENGL 6863 TESL Practicum
    ENGL 5083 Seminar in English Language
    ENGL 6033 Rhetoric
    ENGL 6083 Seminar in Linguistics
    ENGL 6283 Literature and Society

    *Note: These four courses compose the course work required by the Arkansas Department of Education for an ESL endorsement to an Arkansas Teaching License.

  2. The satisfactory completion of an examination based on three MA TESOL courses selected by the student. Licensed teachers who complete TESL 6863 TESOL Practicum are exempt from the examination requirement.
  3. The maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on all graduate work attempted at Arkansas Tech University toward the fulfillment of the MA TESOL requirements with a maximum of six (6) hours of "C" grades.
  4. The completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate work at Arkansas Tech University. Full-time residence is not required.
  5. The completion of all degree requirements within six (6) years of admission to the degree program.

Special Conditions of Graduate Credit

Graduate Credit Taken Prior to Admission to Arkansas Tech University

A maximum of six (6) semester hours of graduate credit with a grade point average of "B" or better may be transferred from an accredited graduate school if deemed appropriate to the graduate program by the head of the student's major department and the Graduate College Dean. Students must send a written request to the head of their major department to petition an acceptance of the transfer credit prior to requesting admission to candidacy to the graduate program. Graduate credit earned six (6) years prior to the completion date of all degree requirements may not be applied toward the degree without the approval of the appropriate program director and the Graduate College Dean. Credits earned by correspondence courses or for remedial purposes will not apply toward the graduate degree. No undergraduate course may be repeated for graduate credit.

Graduate Credit Taken After Admission to Arkansas Tech University

If after admission to graduate study, a student wishes to take a course at another institution to count toward degree requirements at Arkansas Tech University, the student must, in advance of enrollment, obtain written approval from the program director and the Graduate College Dean.