Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Applied Linguistics

Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: R. Tulley

Director: Fennema-Bloom

Associate Professors: Fennema-Bloom, Kawamura

Instructor of Teaching: Mott

The University of Findlay has established a curriculum that requires 36 semester hours of credit for attainment of the Master of Arts in TESOL and Applied Linguistics.

Certified teachers can obtain a K-12 TESOL endorsement by taking 15 hours of course work with this master’s program. The TESOL program is NCATE-approved.

Mission and Goals of the Program

The graduate TESOL/Applied Linguistics Program prepares highly trained linguistic and pedagogic professionals for careers in linguistics, linguistic education and multicultural/cross cultural communication, as well as for the pursuit of advanced degrees in linguistics and related fields. In doing so the program has developed four program goals for the development of master and endorsement candidates within the program.

1. Pedagogic/Practitioner Knowledge:  To prepare teachers and specialists on sound pedagogic practices that will qualify for validation in the following programs: bilingual education, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and second language acquisition programs.

2. Curricular/Assessment Knowledge:  To prepare curriculum developers, assessment specialists and program designers to critically analyze, evaluate and implement programs designed for language learners and for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

3. Linguistic/Cultural Knowledge:  To equip candidates with current research and knowledge regarding language as a system and the acquisition and development of language users; to build an understanding and appreciation for the nature of language and culture; and to build an understanding of the relationship of language and culture to learning, literacy and communication.

4. Professional/Scholastic Advancement:  To equip candidates with the historical and professional knowledge that will enable them to be leaders and advocates for linguistically diverse populations; and to prepare scholars for advanced degrees; and active membership in regional, national and international organizations.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, candidates must:

1. Have a preferred minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on 4.0 scale or a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 in at least nine hours of graduate work. This includes classes from all institutions attended.
2. Complete a goal statement.
3. Supply two professional letters of recommendation (recommended from professors or employers).
4. Provide a Curriculum Vita (CV).
5. Supply a copy of teaching certificate(s) or license(s) if applying for endorsement options.
6. Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with the possible exception of first-professional doctorate-degree holders, specifically when no baccalaureate degree was offered (e.g., PharmD, etc.).
7. Submit an application form.
8. Submit official transcripts, which can be in the form of attested credentials from a University-recognized document verification agency, of all college-level work.

Students, whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from a University of Findlay approved English speaking university, must meet the previously listed admission conditions plus the following for full admission:

1. Must have a verified international English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5 composite score with all bands at 6.0 or above, or an equivalent score as indicated on the University of Findlay's English Exam Admission Standards. Full admission is dependent on satisfying all admission requirements; however, students may also receive direct admission with Graduate ESL course prerequisites if no more than two bands are under the minimum.
2. Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident.

Those applicants who do not meet full admission criteria or cannot supply a verifiable English score from one of the approved tests as listed above can receive conditional admission. Upon arrival, these students are required to test in the Intensive English Language Program, and if necessary, complete coursework in English as indicated by the University of Findlay's placement exam score before starting their graduate work.

Additionally, if the applicant supplies a non-U.S. school transcript the University's Office of International Admissions and Services may require additional specific documentation. Contact the Office of International Admissions at 800-472-9502 ext. 4558 or https://www.findlay.edu/admissions/international/. 

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in TESOL and Applied Linguistics requires 36 semester hours of course work. Twenty-four credits are required courses.

Students are required to take:

BLMC 510	Introduction to Linguistics	3
BLMC 516	Multi-Age Speaking and Listening Methods	3
BLMC 518	Multi-Age Reading and Writing Methods	3
BLMC 520	Language Acquisition	3
BLMC 535	Language Assessment	3
BLMC 545	Advanced Linguistics	3
BLMC 593	Research Methods in Linguistics	3
BLMC 600	TESOL/Applied Linguistics Thesis Advisement	1 to 3

BLMC 600: 3 hours

In addition, students are required to take four elective courses for a total of 12 hours. No more than one course with a grade of “C+,” “C” or “C-” can be used to meet graduation requirements.

Endorsement in TESOL consists of 15 semester hours. Students are required to take:

BLMC 500	Designing ESL Instruction for P-12 Programs	3
BLMC 510	Introduction to Linguistics	3
BLMC 520	Language Acquisition	3
BLMC 522	ESL Educational History, Policy and Assessment Practices in P-12 Schools	3
BLMC 599	ESL Teaching Practicum	3

Effective as of 8/1/2017

Students must have already obtained or be in the process of obtaining a valid teaching license within the State of Ohio or a state of reciprocity with Ohio in order to qualify for this program option. For endorsement in TESOL, an Ohio Department of Education approved competency exam in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is required.