Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL)

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English is an essential skill in the 21st century. Adults, both in the United States and abroad, are seeking opportunities to acquire professional and academic English skills. Become part of the exciting and growing field of teaching English to speakers of other languages!

Hamline’s cutting-edge Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) prepares you to meet the needs of these learners through immersion in first-rate scholarship that prepares you for a dynamic global career working with private and public universities in the U.S. and abroad, international corporations and NGOs, and private language schools in teaching or administration.

With an MA in TESOL from Hamline, you will:

Understand the relationship between language and culture and its implications for learning and society.
Develop 21st-century skills in teaching and assessment.
Design curricula for general and specialized purposes for any setting.
Establish the research skills you need to be an informed, active, and collaborative practitioner.
Become an advocate and leader in the TESOL field.

The MA in TESOL is offered fully online or through a combination of online and face-to-face courses.

MA in TESOL Degree Requirements (36 credits and 3.0 GPA):

Core Courses (24 credits):

Concentration (8 credits):

Choose one of the following areas of concentration.

Adult Concentration

The MA-TESOL with an Adult concentration prepares you for a dynamic global and local career working with community colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, international corporations and NGOs, private language schools in teaching or administration, community-based ESL programs, and Adult Basic Education programs.

Students complete 8 credits from the following options:

K-12 Teaching Concentration

With a concentration in K-12 teaching, graduates will learn about working with younger learners, and will also qualify for university and community college ESL positions in both the United States and abroad. (The MA in TESOL alone does not meet licensure requirements. All teachers must meet licensing requirements in the state where they teach.)

Capstone (4 credits):

Students complete one of the following Capstone options.

MA in TESOL Application Requirements:

Online application (no fee for US residents) available at www.hamline.edu/graduate/admission/hse.html.
Official transcript of bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university or evaluated as such by an expert Academic Credential Evaluator. This should be sent directly from the institution to Graduate Admission or provided in a sealed, signed envelope. You do not have to supply transcripts for courses taken at Hamline University. If you have a GPA of 2.5-2.9, you may still be considered for admission. Please provide a one-two page narrative to help the admissions committee assess your academic history and qualifications, in the context of the high standards for academic performance in our program. Applicants who have successfully completed a master’s degree (GPA > 3.0) are exempt from the provisional review process.
A two-page essay explaining why you have decided to pursue the MA in TESOL and how the program will support your professional goals. Include an overview of your strengths, experience, and expertise in teaching and/or research and identify what areas of the TESOL field interest you and why.
Two letters of recommendation written by people unrelated to you and familiar with your academic and/or professional history who can accurately assess your potential for successful graduate study. Letters must be sent directly to Graduate Admission by the persons writing the recommendations.
Non-native speakers of English must also submit evidence of either a bachelor’s degree from a English-language university or a TOEFL score of 100 for internet-based, 250 for computer-based, or 600 for paper-based or IELTS score of 7.
Documentation of foreign language study (students must have at least two years of high school or one year of college foreign language, or the equivalent).