MA in TESOL

Admission to the Program
--No prior study of linguistics or teaching experience required.
--Students may choose full-time or part-time status.
--Applicants to the master's program in TESOL are subject to the minimum university requirements for admission to graduate study. A grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in previous course work and two letters of academic reference are required.
--The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required.
--It is STRONGLY recommended (but not required) that native speakers of English have some background in at least one language other than English.
--International students must demonstrate competence in English, equivalent to a score of 600 or better on the traditional TOEFL or 250 or better on the computerized version.

Degree Requirements
-- At least 36 credit hours (12 courses) of approved TESOL course work

9 core courses (27 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics
-- TESL 501 English Language Teaching I
-- TESL 502 English Language Teaching II
-- TESL 503 Structure of English
-- TESL 522 Language Acquisition -or
TESL 523 Second Language Acquisition
-- TESL 527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL classroom -or
ANTH 537 Topics in Language and Culture -or
ANTH 554 Topics in Applied Anthropology: Anthropology of Education -or other approved cultural course
-- TESL 531 Language Assessment
-- TESL 541 Teaching Grammar -or
TESL 542 Teaching Pronunciation
-- TESL 620 English Language Teaching III

Nine Credits of Approved Elective Courses (Some options follow)

-- TESL 524 Reading and Writing in the ESL/EFL Classroom
-- TESL 554 Computer Applications for Language Teachers
-- TESL 522 Language Acquisition*
-- TESL 523 Second Language Acquisition*
-- TESL 527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom*
-- TESL 541 Teaching Grammar
-- TESL 542 Teaching Pronunciation
-- TESL 560 TESOL Topics
-- TESL 590 Independent Study
-- TESL 596 Selected Topics w/permission of advisor
-- TESL 691 LFS Internship (3-6)
-- TESL 692 TESOL Cooperative Field Experience (3-6)
-- Thesis option: substitute TESL 797 Master's Thesis Seminar for 6 hours of elective credit.
* If not taken as a core class

Other Requirements for the MA in TESOL
--a portfolio documenting the student's course work
-- a comprehensive oral exam on the M.A. portfolio and coursework
-- maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing

Master's International Program (MIP)
(Master of Arts in TESOL)

The Master's International Program (MIP) is a joint program of Peace Corps and American University which enables participants to prepare for Peace Corps English teaching assignments while earning a MA in TESOL. Participants must apply separately to the Peace Corps and American University to be accepted into the program. Successful participants will begin Peace Corps training and service after they have completed the bulk of their academic work. Their Peace Corps experience then provides the context for an international internship of 6 credits. The tuition for the internship is waived as part of the Master's International Program. In addition, enrollment in the required three-credit English Language Teaching III is waived.

Admission to the Program
Requirements for admission to the program are the same as for the MA in TESOL degree. Applicants apply at the same time to Peace Corps, and that agency determines candidates' eligibility for Volunteer service. Peace Corps can only accept U.S. citizens. Participants must meet all other Peace Corps requirements prior to beginning Peace Corps Volunteer service.

Requirements
-- At least 33 credit hours of approved TESOL course work. The TESL 620 English Language Teaching III is waived.
-- Completion of a teaching portfolio compiled during the course of study.
-- An oral comprehensive examination taken after completion of all required course work and the teaching portfolio.
Note: Because the Master's International Program awards 6 credits of elective credit based on Cooperative Education Field Experience completed during the participant's Peace Corps service, this program has no thesis option.

Course Requirements
Core Courses (27 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics
-- TESL 501 English Language Teaching I
-- TESL 502 English Language Teaching II
-- TESL 503 Structure of English
-- TESL 531 Language Assessment
-- TESL 522 Language Acquisition -or
TESL 523 Second Language Acquisition
-- TESL 541 Teaching Grammar -or
TESL 542 Teaching Pronunciation
-- TESL 527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom -or
ANTH 537 Topics in Language and Culture -or
ANTH 554 Topics in Applied Anthropology: Anthropology of Education -or other approved course
-- Three credits of approved elective courses from among TESOL offerings
Internship (6 credit hours)
-- TESL 693 Peace Corps International Internship
Completed during Peace Corps service; tuition fees waived

Practicum (waived)
-- TESL 620 English Language Teaching III (MIP students are waived from this course based on Peace Corps teaching experience)

Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing

MAT: ESOL

A Master of Arts in Teaching in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is designed for the student with no previous background or preparation in Education who wishes to acquire ESOL teaching certification for grades K-12. The MAT:ESOL program prepares teachers to work effectively with diverse student populations. This program is run in conjunction with the School of Education, which formally awards the degree. Successful graduates will be certified to teach in Washington DC, and this certification is recognized in over 30 states of the United States.

Admission to the Program
-- No prior study of linguistics or teaching experience is required. In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
-- Students must first pass the Praxis I exam prior to admission
-- Students may choose full-time or part-time status..
-- It is recommended that native English speakers have some background in at least one language other than English.
-- International students must demonstrate proficiency in English, either by scoring at least 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or by passing out of the English Language Institute's English Placement test. In addition, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate that they have the oral skills in English necessary to teach in an American public school.

Degree Requirements
--At least 39 credit hours (12 courses) of approved TESOL/Education courses.
Note: Students’ undergraduate transcripts will be evaluated individually. Based on this evaluation, students may be required to take additional course work to meet certification requirements.
--Written Comprehensive Examination
--Completion of Praxis II before graduation

TESOL Courses (24 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics
--TESL 501 English Language Teaching I
-- TESL 502 English Language Teaching II
NB: MAT:ESOL students must do a supervised 40 hour observation/ practice teaching component in conjunction with BOTH ELT I and II courses. Placement for this practicum will be made by Karen DiGiovanni (see below).
-- TESL 503 Structure of English
-- TESL 523 Second Language Acquisition
-- TESL 524 Reading and Writing in the ESL/EFL Classroom
-- TESL 527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom
-- TESL 531 Language Assessment

Education Courses (15 credit hours)
-- EDU 521 Foundations of Education
-- EDU 541 Foundations of Education for Exceptional Children
-- EDU 545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Ed (one of these)
-- EDU 620 Theories of Educational Psychology
-- EDU 699 Student Teaching with required seminar (6 credits)
*Must have passing score on Praxis I before student teaching

For more information, contact:
Dr. Karen DiGiovanni
Director of Teacher Education
School of Education, American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
Tel: (202) 885-3720
email: digiovanni@american.edu

BA/MA Program

Description
A combined BA/MA in TESOL is available to qualified AU undergraduates in any field of study. Many students completing an undergraduate degree at AU are interested in teaching, international travel, and/or community service. The MA in TESOL offers such students a degree that will increase their opportunities in these areas of interest. This program enables qualified undergraduates to earn both an undergraduate degree (in any field) and an MA in TESOL. The combined program can be completed with four years of undergraduate study plus 12 months of additional study (Fall and Spring semesters, plus the Summer TESOL Institute). The program offers students both the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to teach English abroad or to teach English to adults in the United States.
Note: This program has identical requirements as the MA in TESOL and can be combined with the Peace Corps MIP program. In this way,
students complete half of their MA program before and half after their formal graduate studies.

Admission to Program
The standards for admission as defined by the relevant undergraduate teaching unit's requirements must first be satisfied. Undergraduates
should apply for admission to the combined program by the end of their junior year.

Undergraduates whose overall grade point average is 3.0 or higher will be considered for the combined program. Application and a statement of purpose must be accompanied by two letters of ACADEMIC REFERENCE.

Students may use 6 credits of course work at the 500-level or above from the TESOL program to satisfy the requirements for both degrees. These courses may represent either undergraduate major requirements or undergraduate electives.

TESOL Certificate

Consisting of five courses (15 credits) from among TESOL course offerings, the TESOL Certificate provides students with a solid foundation in the theory and practice of teaching ESL/EFL. The Certificate is useful for people who wish to work or live overseas and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Credits earned in the Certificate program can be applied to the Master's degree. Degree candidates in fields such as International Service, Education, Anthropology, and Foreign Languages often find that the TESOL Certificate complements their graduate study.

Required TESOL Courses (15 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics
-- TESL 501 English Language Teaching I
-- TESL 502 English Language Teaching II
-- Six credits of approved elective courses

Note: All 15 credits of TESOL course work can be applied to the MA in TESOL program.

Admission to the Program
-- The TESOL Certificate is open to non-degree students and to qualified undergraduate and graduate students at AU.
-- No prior study of linguistics or teaching experience is required.
-- Students may choose full-time or part-time status.
-- It is recommended (but not required) that native English speakers have some background in at least one language other than English.
-- International students must demonstrate competence in English, equivalent to a score of 600 or better on the traditional TOEFL or 250 or better on the computerized version.
-- GPA of at least 3.0 on previous course work.

Note: International applicants must also provide a statement of motivation, a completed PIRF Form, and bank documents attesting to the ability to finance study at AU.

AU Abroad/ TESOL Certificate

The AU Abroad / TESOL certificate program enables AU students to integrate an international internship in teaching English as part of a 15 credit certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The program is open to both AU undergraduates who participate in a semester-long World Capitals Program as well as to AU undergraduate or graduate students doing summer international internship programs.

Students take two TESOL courses (TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics and TESL 501 English Language Teaching I) before undertaking their 3 credit international internship. Upon returning to campus, students complete their certificate by taking TESL 502 (English Language Teaching II) and one approved 3 credit TESOL elective (or three 1 credit electives).

Required TESOL Courses (15 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics
-- TESL 501 English Language Teaching I
-- TESL 502 English Language Teaching II
-- TESL 596 International Internship
-- Three credits of approved elective courses

Admission Requirements
-- Requirements are the same as for the regular TESOL certificate.
-- Students apply to the AU Abroad / TESOL Certificate Program
through the AU TESOL Program. This application should be completed at least one full semester before students intend to do their international internship. Students should also inform the AU Abroad Program of their plans so appropriate internships can be arranged in a timely manner.
-- No previous training in linguistics is required for admission. However, a background in a second language is recommended. (NOTE: The AU Abroad Semester in Madrid requires completion of two years of college-level Spanish.)

Graduate Certificate in Teaching: English for Speakers of Other Languages

This teacher certification program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in the arts, sciences, or humanities and several years of responsible work experience. Students complete the program and must pass certification (licensure) in the District of Columbia and through such certification are eligible for a reciprocal certification in over 30 states. Some states may require additional course or examinations.

Admission to the Program
Applications must include transcripts of all college work, AARTS transcripts or equivalent, a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of under graduate work in and in all graduate work, a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation. Admission to the certificate program constitutes admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Course Requirements
Between 24 and 30 credits of approved graduate work including 6 credit hours of student teaching as outlined below, depending on track. For secondary certification additional specific course work in the subject area to be taught may be needed to meet requirements for certification.

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours)
-- EDU 521 Foundations of Education (3)
-- EDU 620 Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development (3)
-- EDU 699 Student Teaching (6)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (15 credit hours)
-- TESL 500 Principles of Linguistics (3)
-- TESL 501 English Language Teaching I (3)
-- TESL 523 Second Language Acquisition (3)
-- TESL 527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom (3)
-- TESL 524 Reading and Writing in the ESL/EFL Classroom (3)
-- TESL 531 Language Assessment (3)

Ongoing Assessment of Academic and Professional Performance
To remain in the teacher Education Program, certificate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00; receive satisfactory evaluations in field and methods placements; obtain satisfactory evaluation from the Teacher Education Committee based upon academic, professional, and performance criteria established by the committee; and meet specific course grade requirements. Students must also earn a passing score (as set by the District of Columbia teacher licensing agency) on the PRAXIS I: Academic Skills assessment.

Admission to the M.A.T.

Students in the certificate program seeking admission to M.A.T. degree program will be considered after satisfactory completion of up to 18 credit hours of course work.

For further information on the Graduate Certificate: ESOL contact Judy Swanee, Graduate Advisor, School of Education at 202-885-3716 or
swan@american.edu