English/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), MA

The three MA in English programs at IUP respond to the needs of four groups of students: those interested in gaining a generalist background in graduate English studies, students wanting to concentrate on literature, students seeking secondary English certification or desiring to enhance their existing skills in teaching English, and students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages.

The MA in Literature and MA in Composition and Literature requires 30 credit hours, either of course work (ten courses) or a combination of course work and an internship or thesis. Each option has its own set of requirements for distributing those 30 hours, and each has its own admissions committee. Students applying for admission must indicate which degree option they wish to pursue.

The Composition and Literature (MA Comp- Lit) option is designed for students who wish to combine coursework in composition and literary studies–the two primary subfields of the English discipline–in order to pursue teaching at the community-college level or for beginning advanced doctoral work. The literature (MA/LIT) option is for active professionals who wish to further their expertise in literature and for students who wish to prepare for work on a PhD in literature and criticism. Students in either program who complete Post-Baccalaureate English Certification will be qualified and certified to teach in postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania. The MA/TESOL option prepares students in the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages in a variety of settings within (English as a Second Language) and outside (English as a Foreign Language) the United States.

Program Requirements

MA/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The Master of Arts/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA/TESOL) is designed to prepare students to teach English as a second or foreign language within the guidelines established by the professional organization, TESOL. The program combines theory and practice as well as a variety of approaches.

MA/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Course Requirements:

I. Core Requirements (15 cr.)

ENGL 625 - Introduction to TESOL Credits: 3
ENGL 644 - ESOL Teaching Methodology, Materials, and Instructional Technology Credits: 3
ENGL 649 - Introduction to Research in Applied Linguistics and TESOL Credits: 3
ENGL 724 - Second Language Acquisition Credits: 3
ENGL 725 - Second Language Literacy Credits: 3

II. Teacher Education Component (6 cr.)

Students take two of the following courses:

ENGL 688 - Practicum in TESOL Credits: 3
ENGL 694 - Observation in Teaching English Credits: 3
ENGL 696 - Internship in ESL/EFL Credits: 3

III. TESOL Electives (9 cr.)

Students choose any three from the following courses:

ENGL 734 - Linguistics and the English Teacher Credits: 3
ENGL 641 - Topics in ESL Pedagogy Credits: 3
ENGL 699 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3
ENGL 723 - Second Language Teaching Credits: 3
ENGL 725 - Second Language Literacy Credits: 3
ENGL 730 - Research and Practice in the Teaching of College Composition Credits: 3
ENGL 742 - Cross-Cultural Communication Credits: 3
ENGL 744 - Reading Theory and the College English Teacher Credits: 3
ENGL 754 - World Englishes in Composition and Applied Linguistics Credits: 3

IV. Open Electives (6 cr.)

Students choose two other courses (500 level or higher).

Total 36 cr.

Doctor of Philosophy Programs: There are two distinct doctoral programs in English, one in Literature and Criticism and one in Composition and TESOL. Both programs lead to a Doctor of Philosophy in English.