Admission Requirements


UMBC offers a master’s degree (MA TESOL) and a post-baccalaureate certificate (TESOL PBC) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. To be considered for either program, you must meet the following requirements:

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL)

Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL PBC)

  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Three letters of recommendations
  • Statement of purpose explaining your interest in the field
  • Second language speakers of English must submit one of the following scores:
    • 213+ on the computer-based TOEFL
    • 80+ on the internet-based test TOEFL
    • 8.5+ on TOEFL Essentials
    • 6.5+ on IELTS
    • 53+ on PTE Academic
  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Two letters of recommendations
  • Statement of purpose explaining your interest in the field
  • Second language speakers of English must submit one of the following scores:
    • 213+ on the computer-based TOEFL
    • 80+ on the internet-based test TOEFL
    • 8.5+ on TOEFL Essentials
    • 6.5+ on IELTS
    • 53+ on PTE Academic

Application Deadlines:

Fall semester: April 1 for international applicants; August 1 for domestic applicants.

Spring semester: November 1 for international applicants; January 1 for domestic applicants.

Summer session: May 1 for domestic applicants only.

Note: Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 minimum GPA but whose other application materials are strong may be admitted as non-degree students to begin their studies. Non-degree students who achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher in TESOL courses will be eligible to apply for admission to the MA TESOL or the TESOL PBC in the following term. For international students, visa restrictions may apply.