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MA Program Flyer

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Overview of the Program

The MA TESOL is recommended for candidates wishing to teach ESL in community colleges or in university programs in the US and overseas.

Curriculum

Required Courses (27 units):

All of the following:

• ENGL 200D: Research Methods in TESOL
• ENGL 410B: Practicum
• ENGL 598T: Culminating Experience

Six of the following seven courses

• ENGL 200E: Curriculum & Assessment Design
• ENGL 210B: Sociolinguistics
• ENGL 210G: Second Language Acquisition
• ENGL 215A: ESL Reading
• ENGL 215B: ESL Writing
• ENGL 215C: Grammar
• ENGL 215D: Spoken English

Electives (6 units):

Two of the following:

• Any required course in excess of 27 units
• ENGL 110M: Gender & Language
• ENGL 110T: Topics in Language Studies
• ENGL 210C: Technology in Second Language Teaching
• ENGL 220A: Teaching Composition in College
• ENGL 220C: Topics in College Composition
• ENGL/EDTE 225C: Theoretical Issues in Adult Literacies
• ENGL 299: Special Problems in English
• ENGL 410A: Writing Center Internship
• ENGL 410E: Internship at Community College
• ENGL 410L: Internship in Teaching Reading

A maximum of one upper division or graduate course not on this list may be substituted with the prior permission of the TESOL Coordinator.

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Admission Requirements

1. Completed BA/BS with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including a 3.0 GPA in the final 60 units.

2. International students must achieve minimum scores on the TOEFL as follows:

• 600 or higher on the traditional TOEFL, with a score of 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
• OR 250 or higher on the computerized TOEFL, with a score of 5 on the Test of Written English
• OR 100 or higher on the ibt TOEFL, with a minimum of 24 on the writing section.

3. Prerequisite courses (or their equivalents, which must be approved by the TESOL Coordinator) with grades of B or better:

• English 110A: Linguistics and the English Language
• English 120S: Writing in the Social Sciences
• English 110P: Second Language Learning
• English 110Q: Grammar for ESL Teaching

4. Additional Prerequisites (may be completed after admission to the program):

• one year of college-level foreign language study
• two upper-division courses (6 units) to be approved by the TESOL Coordinator
• passing score on the CSUS Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE)

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Application Information

Deadlines

• March 1 for admission in the following Fall.
• October 1 for admission in the following Spring.

Procedures

1. International students should contact the Office of Global Education (link opens in new window) and request a CSUS International Student Application.
   
   
2. All other students should apply online through CSU Mentor (link opens in new window). You can also contact the Graduate Studies Office and request an application for graduate admission
   
   NOTE: Online applications are processed faster than paper applications.
   
   
3. Submit your application with all undergraduate transcripts (and post-graduate, if applicable) by the relevant application deadline.
   
   
4. Contact the TESOL Coordinator if you need help in completing the application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I get the M.A. or the Certificate?

A: It depends on your career goals. If you plan to teach at the adult ed. level or to go overseas, a certificate may be adequate. If you hope to teach at the community college or university level, you will need the M.A.

Q: How long does the program take?

A. While individual circumstances vary, it is realistic to expect to complete the Certificate in one year and the M.A. in two years, beyond prerequisites.

Q: Is there a recommended order for taking courses in the program?

A: For a full-time student, the following is recommended

1. The Pre-Requisites.
   Nearly all students must complete at least one pre-requisite course (students receive a form from Graduate Studies listing all the pre-requisites that they need). All prerequisites must be completed, with a grade of B or better, before taking graduate-level classes.
   
   
2. The Graduate Coursework.
   Once students are fully classified, they should take ENGL 200D (Research Methods in TESOL) and ENGL 410B (Practicum) as soon as possible.   Students must take ENGL 200D before they can take ENGL 210G.   ENGL 200E and the ENGL 215 series of courses can be taken in any order.

Q: Do I have to complete prerequisites before I apply to the program?

A: No. The majority of students complete remaining prerequisites in their first semester in the program.

Q. Is financial aid available?

A: In a public university, financial aid in general is scarce. For graduate students, it is limited primarily to loans. California residents may also apply for the California Graduate Fellowship program. Students may also apply for an out-of-state fee waiver. However, this requires a letter of support from the TESOL MA Coordinator

Q: Are there opportunities to gain teaching experience during the program?

A: Yes! We have several available internship courses in the English Department, the Learning Skills Center, and in local community colleges. In addition, students may be eligible for paid graduate assistant or teaching assistant positions in English, Learning Skills, and the on-campus intensive English program.

Q: Can I teach elementary or high school ESL with a TESOL Certificate or M.A.?

A: No. You will need a regular teaching credential. However, a TESOL Certificate or M.A. in addition to a credential may improve your employment prospects.

Q: What is the cost of tuition?

A: The cost of tuition varies depending on the number of units taken and residency status. For current fees, go to the registration information page (link opens in a new window).

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For more information, contact the TESOL Program Coordinator Professor Julian Heather office phone: (916) 278-5394 e-mail: jheather@csus.edu CSU Sacramento Department of English 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819-6197 FAX: (916) 278-5410