The Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA TESL) degree is designed for individuals seeking advanced professional preparation in the teaching of English as a second or foreign language with adult learners in the U.S. or abroad. Please note: This program does NOT provide certification to teach ESL in U.S. public schools.
Requirements
All students must complete 36 credit hours, or 12 courses, in the following areas: Foundations (9 credits), Professional Core (6 credits), and Methods of Research in Language Learning (6 credits). Students also complete Additional (Elective) Courses (12 credits).
Two capstone projects are also required of all MA TESL students, the e-Portfolio and the MA Paper. Please note that the MA Paper is NOT a credit-bearing thesis, but it does appear on your official transcript.
Time-to-Completion of MA TESL Degree
The MA TESL degree typically requires two years to complete:
Please see the MA TESL Handbook for a sample ‘plan-of-study’
Departmental Activities
A variety of department-sponsored activities enhance the intellectual and professional lives of both faculty and graduate students.
- Regularly scheduled departmental roundtable sessions bring graduate students, faculty members, and visitors together for panel discussions, presentations about research-in-progress, and professional development activities.
- Distinguished speakers from Penn State and other universities are invited to talk about their latest research interests. These events allow graduate students to meet and talk informally with leading figures in the field.
- Graduate students are encouraged to participate in Reading and Discussion Groups that are available in the Department of Applied Linguistics.
- The graduate student body also organizes regularly scheduled social events that bring faculty and graduate students together in more informal settings to share ideas and develop affiliations.
Community Life
- Below is helpful information for navigating everyday life as a graduate student at Penn State and a resident of State College:
- Global Connections is an organization that helps international students find International Restaurants & Groceries, English Language Classes & Tutoring, Cultural Resources, Community & Family Resources, Health & Medical Care, Office Supplies, Electronics & Used Items, Housing, Banks, & Transportation.
- Off-Campus Student Support is a Penn State service from the Student Affairs office that helps students who live off-campus or are preparing to live off-campus. You can request a consultation with Off-Campus Student Support staff who are available to meet by phone, Zoom, or in-person.
- Token Transit App (CATABUS) is an app to download on phones if you need bus transportation in State College.
- You can consider joining the following Buy Nothing Facebook groups where people in the State College area donate household items – State College/Westerly Parkway Elem School: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2843184335748799/;
- State College/Park Forrest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/634022017365090/;
- Lemont/Houserville: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000813613782895.
- Penn State IT offers Software Walkthrough sessions to assist students, faculty, and staff with commonly used Penn State software. These sessions are free of charge and can be scheduled as either remote or in-person appointments. You can submit your request online using the Software Walkthrough Session Request Form at least 24 hours before your desired session time.
For more detailed information on the MA TESL program, please see our MA TESL Handbook.
For information on how to apply to the MA TESL program, please click here.
For additional information about the MA TESL Program, please contact:
Sharon S. Childs, PhD
Teaching Professor, Department of Applied Linguistics
Chair, MA TESL Program
Email: ssc5@psu.edu