Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL): Masters of Arts in Education (MAEd), San Diego and Online

Program Mission and Vision

Mission: The TESOL Master’s Program of Alliant International University prepares teachers to meet the linguistic, cultural, and academic needs of English language learners in a variety of settings worldwide.

Vision: The TESOL Master’s program of Alliant International University will become internationally recognized and respected as a program of excellence and accessibility that prepares practitioners in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages worldwide.

Program Outcomes

The TESOL master’s program prepares students to:

• Acquire a knowledge base and skills for development as a TESOL professional including an understanding of the history of TESOL and the TESOL profession
• Gain a wide repertoire of appropriate methods and techniques for teaching English learners
• Acquire knowledge of second language acquisition and learning theories and how they relate to methods and classroom applications
• Develop an understanding, knowledge base and appropriate dispositions related to the historical, social, cultural, and political issues that impact teaching situations
• Acquire a knowledge base in linguistics with focus on English structure, its use and functions in society.
• Acquire the ability to apply their knowledge of TESOL methodology and second language acquisition and learning theories to the development of lesson plans and curriculum design.
• Develop skills for the planning and implementation of standards-based ESL/EFL content-based instruction.
• Acquire knowledge of and develop skills for a variety of assessment measures for monitoring and evaluating the progress of English learners.
• Acquire knowledge of research methods and the ability to evaluate professional literature.
• Acquire knowledge and skills for the integration of technology into second language teaching curriculum.

Specialized Admissions Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the requirements stipulated in the “Admissions and Registration” section of the University catalog as well as meet the following:

GPA: Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in their BA degree.

Tests: International students applying for the TESOL master’s are required to have a 575 paper score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5; or a 233 computer-based score; or an Internet-based Test (IB-T) score of 83. Additionally, all international students are required to take an English proficiency test before starting the first semester of Master’s study in order to assess individual language needs. International students typically are required to take the ILEC 5010 Graduate Communications course.

Recommendations: Each candidate must provide two written confidential recommendations from those who can attest to the applicant’s abilities, professional and academic accomplishments including those in the education field, and/or experience with teaching English learners.

Transcripts: Official transcripts must be submitted from all accredited institutions of higher education attended by the candidate. When official transcripts are not immediately available, candidates may supply unofficial documents and be admitted on a conditional basis until the end of the first semester.

Personal essay: A two-page personal essay

1. describing your academic and professional background including experiences relevant to TESOL and
2. future plans in the field of TESOL.

Interview with TESOL Master’s Admissions Committee

Upon receipt and review of all documentation, the candidate will be considered for final admission. Final admissions decision will be made by the TESOL Systemwide Program Director and the TESOL Master’s Admissions Committee.

Specialized Admissions Requirements: Credit for Previous Graduate Work

Transfer of credit may be awarded on the following basis:

1. All credits used to substitute for required courses must have been completed at B or higher levels from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
2. All courses used to substitute for required credit must be at master’s degree level or higher.
3. All credits must have been earned within seven years prior to the request for transfer. Requests for transfer credit, including waivers and exceptions, are reviewed by the program directors.
4. Coursework being considered for transfer must be equivalent to Alliant coursework for which it is being applied. Students are required to submit transcripts, course descriptions and other documentation to assist faculty review.
5. Six semester units may be transferred into the master’s degree program. Requests for additional units transferred from HCSOE-TESOL collaborating universities may be considered by the Systemwide Program Director and the Dean of the California School of Education.
6. Extension or continuing education courses are not, in standard cases, acceptable for graduate transfer. However, courses completed at high levels through an accredited university or local district program may be considered by the program director and approved by the Dean of the California School of Education for partial credit transfer. The Dean of the California School of Education must give final approval for course waivers.
7. The decision to accept credit and any requests for exceptions to be transferred shall be the responsibility of the TESOL Systemwide Director program director.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Students must complete the 30 units of prescribed courses with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

The TESOL Academic Advisor assists students to determine their Master Plan of Study (MPS) and registers students in appropriate courses (per their MPS) each semester. Students are also assigned to a faculty mentor to assist with their professional development.

Students must successfully complete all course work with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Only courses with a grade of C and higher will be counted towards the degree. All “D” and “F” grades must be repeated to count towards the degree. Students must complete the practicum project/ portfolio and reflection paper capstone requirements. All grades are final once submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Incomplete grades are issued only in cases of documented illnesses and deaths in the family.

Curriculum Plan

All courses are three units unless otherwise indicated.

TESOL Program Core faculty

Jin-Suk Byun, PhD, Assistant Professor

Ken Kelch, EdD, Associate Professor and Program Director

James Perren, EdD, Associate Professor

For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of Faculty  for the California School of Education.