Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) M.A.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Major

Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Studies and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Department of Languages & Literatures for other application requirements. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the program.

Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions will be made.

This major in TESOL is available on the thesis and non-thesis options, and degree applicants choose one of three emphases (see below). Both the thesis and the non-thesis options require a minimum of 33 or 36 semester hours, depending on the emphasis chosen. The thesis option requires 6 hours of TESOL 6299 Research. A minimum of 12 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the non-thesis option, and a minimum of 15 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the thesis option. 

The three emphases are the following:

1. Applied Linguistics Emphasis, minimum 33 semester hours - available on both thesis and non-thesis options;
2. TESOL/Spanish Emphasis, minimum 36 semester hours - available on non-thesis option only;
3. TESOL/French Emphasis, minimum 36 semester hours - available on non-thesis option only.

For the Applied Linguistics emphasis, successful completion of a thesis is required for the thesis option, and a research paper is required for the non-thesis option, as specified by the TESOL/Applied Linguistics faculty. A final oral and written comprehensive exam is required for the thesis and non-thesis options. Additionally, for the Applied Linguistics emphasis, successful completion of a teaching portfolio/presentation at a UNI-sponsored or other professional conference/symposia are required for both thesis and non-thesis options, as specified by the TESOL/Applied Linguistics faculty. See the TESOL Graduate Coordinator for details.

For the TESOL/Spanish and TESOL/French emphases, successful completion of a final oral and written comprehensive exam and a research paper is required, as specified by the TESOL/Applied Linguistics and appropriate language faculties. Contact the TESOL Graduate Coordinator and Spanish/French Graduate Coordinator for details.

As a degree requirement, students will need to do one of the following:

a) Present at a professional conference OR

b) Prepare a professional portfolio under the supervision of a graduate faculty member

The choice will be made by students in consultation with their advisor.

The TESOL/Spanish and TESOL/French emphases have language proficiency expectations in Spanish or French that are a requirement for admission. These can be met by either being a native speaker, submitting a written statement of purpose, or, in some cases, participating in an oral interview. Contact the Spanish/French graduate advisor for details.

Native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in another language by earning at least a C grade in a second-semester, college-level course or by passing a specially designed examination. In order to demonstrate their proficiency in English, international students must achieve a minimum score of 95 in the TOEFL-IBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test) with a minimum subscore of 25 in writing, 7.0 with a minimum writing subscore of 7.0 and no subscore less than 6.0 in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), 65 with no subscore less than 57 in PTE (Pearson Test of English), or 130 in Duolingo. An international student may be required to take additional English language improvement courses at the discretion of the program faculty. Work taken to satisfy the language proficiency requirement does not count toward the 33 semester hours required to complete the major program.

Students who wish to pursue state licensure to teach should request information concerning licensure requirements from the Director of Teacher Education at the University of Northern Iowa or from the Department of Education in the state in which they plan to teach.

Students who have earned undergraduate credit for any of the required courses must select electives in TESOL/Applied Linguistics, with the advice and approval of the TESOL Graduate Coordinator, to complete the required minimum total of 33 hours.

NOTE: The prerequisites listed for 4000/5000 level courses apply only to undergraduates. Depending upon their undergraduate coursework,  graduate students may be required to take coursework to satisfy those prerequisites. 

Learning Outcomes

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.A.

• Content. Students display advanced knowledge of key linguistic, pragmatic, and sociocultural dimensions of language.
• Communication. Students can communicate appropriately, effectively, and according to profession-specific standards in oral presentations and in writing.
• Critical Thinking. Students show evidence of the ability to critically analyze aspects of language, culture, and society.
• Second Language Teaching. Students can design instructional activities that promote authentic communication in a second language for diverse learners in a variety of contexts.

Related Programs

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) B.A.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Teaching B.A.