UMBC offers an M.A. in TESOL and a TESOL Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.
Established in 1979, the TESOL program has a long history of preparing both prospective and experienced teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL). It provides students with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in educational linguistics, language acquisition, ESL/EFL methods, assessment, cross-cultural studies, and curriculum development. Both the master’s degree and the certificate can be taken completely on campus in face-to-face classes, completely online from anywhere in the world, or as a combination of on campus and online classes.
TESOL Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC)
The TESOL PBC is a 4-course program. Please note that this is not an initial P-12 licensure program. The PBC does not require an internship. Students who do not have experience with English language teaching are encouraged to seek opportunities on their own to gain practical experience. PBC students who need a documented field experience may complete a zero-credit practicum through the UMBC Career Center.
- 2 required courses (6 credits)
- 2 elective courses (6 credits)
All courses taken for the certificate can be applied to the MA TESOL upon admission to the master’s program if the student wishes to continue in the field of study.
M.A. in TESOL Options
Students may complete the M.A. in TESOL on campus, online or through a combination of on campus and online courses. The program is flexible so that students can study at their own pace. The master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.A. in TESOL) has four options:
- Master of Arts in TESOL – General
- Master of Arts in TESOL with Thesis
- Master of Arts in TESOL with P-12 Licensure
- Master of Arts in TESOL with Thesis and P-12 Licensure
Master of Arts in TESOL – General (36 Credits)
The general M.A. in TESOL program consists of 12 three-credit courses.
- 8 required courses (24 credits)
- 4 elective courses (12 credits)
Master of Arts in TESOL with Thesis (39 Credits)
The M.A. in TESOL with thesis consists of 11 3-credit courses plus 6 credits of thesis research. Thesis students take required and elective courses, including in research theory and method, and write a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor and two or more committee members. Students may do thesis research in the United States or abroad.
- 6 required courses (18 credits)
- 3 professional specialization courses (9 credits)
- 2 research specialization courses (6 credits)
- 6 credits of thesis research
Master of Arts in TESOL with P-12 Licensure (42 Credits)
The M.A. in TESOL with P-12 licensure consists of 11 3-credit courses as well as 100 days of clinical experience in public elementary and secondary schools over two semesters following Maryland State Department of Education requirements, one 3-credit internship and one 6-credit internship.
- Required courses (33 credits)
- Required internships (9 credits)
- To earn a Maryland teaching license, students must also pass state-mandated teacher examinations. For more information see Maryland Praxis requirements.
Master of Arts in TESOL with Thesis and P-12 Licensure (51 Credits)
The M.A. in TESOL with licensure and thesis is comprised of the requirements for both: required elective and research specialization courses and a written thesis under supervision, as well as 100 days of clinical experience over two semesters following Maryland State Department of Education requirements.
- Required courses (30 credits)
- Required internships (9 credits)
- 2 research specialization courses (6 credits)
- 6 credits of thesis research
Internships
TESOL General Internship: The general internship is a clinical field experience in a setting consistent with the student’s professional aims and career goals. It provides the student with the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired in the program’s courses. The internship requires a minimum of 40 hours of teaching in an instructional setting. It can last from 3 to 6 months and can be done in the United States or abroad. The internship cannot be tutoring or online teaching. Prior approval of the program and internship coordinator is required. The TESOL program has collaborations with institutions in countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. Students can be paid for work done during the internship.
P-12 Licensure Internship: Students who follow the P-12 ESOL licensure option are required to complete 6 credits of clinical field experience in P-12 public school ESOL programs, typically at UMBC’s partner schools in the Baltimore/Washington area at both elementary and secondary levels. The internship requires spending 100 days in public schools (25 days during the 3-credit fall internship and 65 days during the 6-credit spring internship) plus attending seminars each semester where aspects of the internship experience are discussed and analyzed through reflective practice.
Thesis Research
Students who follow a thesis option write a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor and several faculty committee members. Thesis students may do their research in the United States or abroad. Students who have gone on to doctoral programs have found the thesis experience helpful. See examples of past theses.