The master's degree program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program at The New School in New York City provides training in teaching or curriculum development. Students in the program learn about the implication of teaching English at a time when the language has become the standard in disciplines such as media, finance and science. The program is geared towards working adults, with the option to take classes part time. The curriculum development degree track can be completed entirely online; however, students in the teaching track will need to attend a short residency on campus. Students in the master's TESOL program take five core courses that expose them to topics such as language in society and English in the world. The remaining courses are taken in the teaching or curriculum development concentration. Teaching track students can attend an optional summer intensive program in New York. Admission is based on a review of transcripts, recommendations, a resume, a personal statement and a personal interview.
Temple University offers a master's degree in TESOL that is suitable for candidates from various undergraduate academic backgrounds and prepares graduates for teaching English to children and adults. To complete the degree, a student must complete 30 hours of coursework and pass a comprehensive exam. Core courses cover topics including second language acquisition and applied language studies. Students then select from electives such as issues in English education or teaching literature in secondary school. Prospective applicants submit standardized test scores, undergraduate transcripts, three recommendation letters, a personal statement and a resume. Competitive applicants need an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. Interested students should note that the program does not offer Pennsylvania teacher certification; those who wish to teach ESL in Pennsylvania's public school system should apply to a teacher certification program and earn an ESL certificate concurrently.
The TESOL program at Michigan State University is a master's degree program that focuses on areas such as language education, curriculum design and teaching. Students receive a strong foundation in both linguistics and language and context; and complete a mandatory field practicum in a classroom prior to graduating from the master's program. Students complete 33 credit hours, which includes core courses in teaching English and second language acquisition. Additional courses are selected from topics such as syntax, language and culture and cross-cultural communication. Applicants submit standardized test scores and three recommendations along with prior college transcripts for review by the university's admissions office.
The master's degree in TESOL at California State University Los Angeles prepares teachers for positions in the U.S. and abroad. Applicants need a GPA of at least 2.75 for their last 90 quarter hours of coursework and must have taken an introductory course in linguistics. The master's degree requires the successful completion of 45 units, along with either taking a comprehensive exam or submitting a thesis or final project. Core courses cover topics including modern English grammar and methods for teaching second languages. Students who wish to complete a thesis or project must obtain advisor approval and take a prerequisite course in statistics. In addition to the master's degree, Cal State LA offers an 32-unit ESL certificate to certified teachers who wish to work with non-native English speaking students.