Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Online
Promote multilingualism and English development and watch your students thrive.
Apply by:
12/27/23
Start class:
1/16/24
Program Overview
Learn More About Our Online Master's in Education in TESOL
$13,290
Total Tuition
As few as 10 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
Become equipped with the skills needed to assess language and implement instruction to improve learners' proficiency for competent second language use with the Master of Science in Education in TESOL online program from the University of Southern Maine (USM). This MSEd program is grounded in literacy theory and teaches both pedagogical theory and best practices that can be applied right away in a classroom environment. The only online teaching degree of its kind in Maine, the program demonstrates a 100 percent pass rate on the Maine Praxis ESOL Exam.
USM's TESOL master's program is designed to accommodate the needs and goals of a wide range of English as a Second Language (ESL) professionals working with culturally and linguistically diverse students, including K-12 teachers, adult educators, and those who teach or want to teach abroad. For educators possessing current or prior teacher certification, this online education program meets the state of Maine requirements for ESL teacher endorsement.
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of language as a system, including phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and semantics
- Know, understand, and use major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups
- Plan for multilevel classrooms with learners from diverse backgrounds using standards-based ESL and content curriculum
- Become familiar with a wide range of standards-based materials, resources, and technologies and choose, adapt, and use them in effective ESL and content teaching
- 100% pass rate on the Maine Praxis ESOL Exam
- Demonstrate an understanding of language as a system, including phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and semantics
- Know, understand, and use major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups
- Plan for multilevel classrooms with learners from diverse backgrounds using standards-based ESL and content curriculum
- Become familiar with a wide range of standards-based materials, resources, and technologies and choose, adapt, and use them in effective ESL and content teaching
- 100% pass rate on the Maine Praxis ESOL Exam
As a graduate of this MSEd online program, you will be prepared to make an impact in educational roles and organizational settings such as:
- K-12 ELL Teacher*
- College ESOL Instructor
- Overseas Teacher/Administrator
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- K-12 ELL Teacher*
- College ESOL Instructor
- Overseas Teacher/Administrator
- Peace Corps Volunteer
*Maine teacher certification necessary. Please note this program does not lead to initial K-12 teacher certification. Certification may not be required to teach K-12 abroad or in other education contexts.
$13,290
Total Tuition
As few as 10 months
Program Duration
30
Credit Hours
Accreditation
The University of Southern Maine is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Need More Information?
Tuition
Earn a Respected Degree Affordably
Our goal is for our students to earn a high-quality degree that will help them improve their career and income without taking on considerable financial debt.
Tuition breakdown:
$13,290
Total Tuition
$443
Per Credit Hour
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Program |
|---|---|---|
| MSE – TESOL | $443 | $13,290 |
Tuition breakdown:
$13,290
Total Tuition
$443
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Milestones to Guide Your Student Journey
The MSEd in TESOL online program offers convenient multiple start dates each year to accommodate your professional and personal schedules.
Now enrolling:
12/27/23
Apply Date
1/16/24
Class Starts
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline* | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/16/24 | 12/27/23 | 12/27/23 | 1/16/24 | 1/15/24 | 3/1/24 |
| Spring 2 | 3/18/24 | 2/28/24 | 2/28/24 | 3/18/24 | 1/15/24 | 5/3/24 |
| Summer 1 | 5/13/24 | 4/24/24 | 4/24/24 | 5/13/24 | 5/15/24 | 6/28/24 |
| Summer 2 | 7/1/24 | 6/12/24 | 6/12/24 | 7/1/24 | 5/15/24 | 8/16/24 |
| Fall 1 | 9/3/24 | 8/15/24 | 8/15/24 | 9/3/24 | 8/15/24 | 10/18/24 |
| Fall 2 | 10/28/24 | 10/9/24 | 10/9/24 | 10/28/24 | 8/15/24 | 12/20/24 |
* The payment deadline for the second session of each term is the same as the first session deadline or ten days from the date of registration.
Now enrolling:
12/27/23
Apply Date
1/16/24
Class Starts
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Follow Our Streamlined Admission Requirements
The MSEd in TESOL online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 2.5 Minimum GPA
- No GRE Required
- Online Application
- Online application
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) from all colleges/universities attended
- Statement of purpose/essay (in the online application)
- Upload your essay in PDF format in the online application or email your essay to [email protected]
- Type a brief essay (300-500 words) stating your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals. You may include a statement of any special interest you would like to pursue in your study.
Official transcripts (submitted directly from the granting institution) and other supporting documents may be mailed or emailed.
Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412
Email Address:
[email protected]
Courses
Discover Our Online Master's in Education ESL Classes
For the MSEd in TESOL online program, you will complete a total of 10 courses equaling 30 credit hours.
For the MSEd in TESOL online program, you will complete a total of 10 courses equaling 30 credit hours.
EDU 558: Curriculum and Assessment for Multilingual Learners
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on developing English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) content-based curriculum and assessment to meet the diverse needs of multilingual learners (MLs) of all ages and proficiency levels, PreK-adult. Students will analyze potential curriculum and assessment materials and approaches, practice selecting and aligning relevant content and language learning standards with student assessment data, and plan appropriate lessons and units of instruction. Emphasis will be placed on applying their knowledge of second language acquisition, curriculum design, and assessment to support MLs’ academic language and literacy development. Students will provide evidence that they can plan lessons that implement technology and assessment effectively to promote student learning.
EDU 559: Methods for Teaching Reading and Writing to Multilingual Learners
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines multilingual literacy development in PK-12 and adult language learning contexts. In particular, it focuses on how to support the emergence of literacy in English as a second or additional language through foundational skills-based instruction and approaches that foreground reading and writing as a social practice. Emphasis is placed on designing and implementing literacy instruction and assessment that draws on multilingual learners’ linguistic and cultural assets and that is responsive to their goals and needs as readers and writers with varying English proficiency levels.
EDU 560: Methods and Approaches in TESOL
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This TESOL methodology course focuses on the methods and approaches in teaching PreK-Adult English language learners. Students will explore the history, culture, and communities of TESOL; learn a range of approaches to support multilingual learners across varied contexts and critically evaluate language teaching methods for their appropriateness across different learning contexts; and plan lessons and activities that support culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Students will collaborate with colleagues to develop effective learner-centered instructional practices.
EDU 561: Aspects of the English Language
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a practical course for the prospective or continuing ESL teacher which will examine the various linguistic elements of the English language and their relevance to the teaching process of English as a Second or Other Language. We will be focusing on analyzing the grammatical and phonological aspects of the English language as well as looking at morphology and lexis, semantics, and such social aspects of the language as register and speech variation. Primary emphasis will be placed on a better understanding of English through class discussion, oral presentations, and practical application for teaching in the ESL classroom.
EDU 562: Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the nature of language and cultural differences among learners of various ethnic and racial backgrounds. The exploration of diversity provides opportunities for participants to develop a personal awareness of the role of cultural conditioning in classroom encounters; to reflect on and to confront personal biases as they relate to teaching; to acquire the skills and resources for an ethno-relative approach to delivering instruction; and to make language- and topic-related choices compatible with learner differences.
EDU 567: Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of Second Language Acquisition theories and research. The focus of the course is to engage students in examining and understanding 1) the various theoretical lenses that ground research and practice in TESOL, 2) foundational research on how languages are learned, and 3) applications of theory and research to practice in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) education. This course frames second language acquisition as a complex phenomenon and aims to generate in students a personally meaningful, context-relevant understanding of the phenomenon. Students will be able to relate current theories of SLA and existing empirical research to their daily needs as teachers.
EDU 600: Research Methods in Education
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course studies the concepts, principles, and techniques of educational research with an emphasis on scientific inquiry and problem-solving, designed for both the producer and consumer of educational research. Individual critiques and research reviews are completed.
Near the end of the program students have a choice of taking a TESOL practicum or write a TESOL Thesis (EDU 623 TESOL Practicum or EDU 689 TESOL Thesis), or take both courses depending on your academic goals and career path.
EDU 607: Teacher Research in Literacy and Language Development
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to enable Literacy and/or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) professionals to develop their pedagogical content knowledge in their respective disciplines through practitioner inquiry. Students will identify a literacy or TESOL content topic of interest and pursue library and empirical research on this topic. Each student will generate a research question, collect and analyze sample data, summarize findings, and synthesize how their new knowledge for teaching the content area can be applied in their classroom. The class will function as a community of researchers. Emphasis will be placed on students developing an inquiry stance on teaching in their content area.
EDU 635: Seminar in Second Language Literacy
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course involves inquiry into all facets of literacy and second language education, including historical and contemporary issues and trends in research, theory, and leadership. Students will synthesize their learning in literacy and language development, classroom practice, cultural diversity, policy, and advocacy.
EDU 623: TESOL Practicum
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The practicum in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is designed to accommodate students in the TESOL program who are ESL teachers, mainstream teachers working toward ESL endorsement by the state, international students, adult educators, and other students matriculated into the MSEd in TESOL program. Students acquire practical ESL/EFL teaching experience in the field while applying knowledge gained through coursework and research; a minimum of 20 hours of observation and practice teaching in an appropriate setting determined by the student and instructor are required. Students in the initial K-12 ESL certification concentration must complete their field experience in a public Pre-K-12 school. The 24 hours of program coursework must be completed prior to or concurrent with practicum. EDU 623 or EDU 689 may be taken.
EDU 689: TESOL Thesis
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will work with faculty to develop a graduate thesis. The project can be a literature-based, theory-oriented, or empirical research study. Students will evaluate relevant literature, design a research plan, and conduct research that results in a unique and significant contribution to their profession. They will present their findings and defend their thesis to the thesis committee. EDU 623 or EDU 689 may be taken.
The thesis may be taken (with permission and recommendation) in lieu of or in addition to EDU 623 TESOL Practicum. Graduate students who are interested in this option should inform their advisor. Their advisor will then forward the request to full-time TESOL faculty for their recommendation. The applicant will be notified of the decision by the department chair. This course is offered over an entire semester and made up of 2 terms, each 7 weeks and 1.5 credit hours.
Named #2 in the "2020 Best Online Colleges in Maine" rankings by Guide to Online Schools –GuideToOnlineSchools.com
*Maine teacher certification necessary. Please note this program does not lead to initial K-12 teacher certification. Certification may not be required to teach K-12 abroad or in other education contexts.
