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

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The field of English language teaching is rapidly evolving. English learners, both in the United States and abroad, are seeking opportunities to acquire academic and professional English language skills. Hamline University’s’ Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) program provides students with an in-depth analysis of the latest research and innovation in the field. This cutting-edge program prepares you for a dynamic global career working with private and public institutions in the U.S. and abroad, international corporations and NGOs, and private language schools in teaching or administration. Become part of the exciting and growing field of teaching English to speakers of other languages!

With an MA in TESOL from Hamline, you will:

Explore the relationship between language, identity, and power and implications for the classroom.
Gain an understanding of language systems and how languages are learned
Develop practices in teaching and assessment that promote equity and inclusion.
Become an advocate and leader in the TESOL field.
Establish the classroom research skills you need to be an informed, active, and collaborative practitioner.
Design a research-based thesis or a practice-based project as a capstone upon completion of the program.

The MA in TESOL is offered in a dynamic, fully online format, with opportunities for face-to-face learning.

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

World (Foreign) Language Study

Students must provide documentation of at least two years of high school or one year of college foreign language or the equivalent. This requirement may be waived for those who have a home language other than English.

Core Courses (24 credits):

Concentration (8 credits):

Choose one of the following areas of concentration.

Adult Concentration

The MA in 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 and is not a licensure program. Students pursuing a K-12 concentration should already be licensed, or in the process of getting licensed, in ESL. Students who wish to pursue a license in ESL should begin in either our initial or additional teaching license program, where they will have the option of completing the MA in TESOL at a later time.

Capstone (4 credits):

Choose either Capstone Project or Capstone Thesis I and II.