UMBC offers an MA TESOL Program and an ESOL Post Baccalaureate Certificate.
Established in 1979, the ESOL 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 face-to-face and online classes.
The ESOL PBC is a 4-course program. Please note that this is not an initial P-12 certification program.
Two courses (6 credits) are required:
For the two elective courses (6 credits), students can choose from the following list:
All courses taken for the certificate can be applied to the MA ESOL upon admission into the MA program if the student wishes to continue in the field of study.
This academic program is a participant in the U.S. Department of Education Gainful Employment program.
Students may complete the programs either online or face-to-face. Our programs remain flexible so that students can study at their own pace.
OPTION 1 MASTER OF ARTS IN ESOL – GENERAL (36 CREDITS)
The general MA ESOL program consists of 12 three-credit courses.
8 courses (24 credits) are required:
4 elective courses (12 credits) can be chosen from among the following:
OPTION 2 MASTER OF ARTS IN ESOL WITH THESIS (39 CREDITS)
Thesis students develop a research proposal and write a thesis under the guidance of an advisor and two or more committee members. Students may do thesis research in the United States or abroad. Thesis students take the same required and elective courses as in Option 1, less the Project Seminar (EDUC 794) and Internship (EDUC 792S). In addition, thesis students must complete at least two research courses and 6 credits of thesis research.
OPTION 3 MASTER OF ARTS IN ESOL WITH P-12 CERTIFICATION (42 CREDITS)
Because of Maryland State Department of Education requirements, students who choose the Certification option take the required courses in Option 1 and the following courses, which are also required.
The P-12 certification option includes 100 days of internship experience in public elementary and secondary schools over two semesters. EDUC 791S and EDUC 792L replace EDUC 792S in Option 1.
OPTION 4 MASTER OF ARTS IN ESOL WITH THESIS AND P-12 CERTIFICATION (51 CREDITS)
Combining certification with a thesis requires fulfilling the requirements for both options.
The non-certification internship is a field-oriented experience in a setting consistent with the student's professional preparation 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 internships requires a minimum of 40 hours of direct instruction in an instructional situation. 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 responsibilities is required. The MA ESOL program has internship agreements with institutions in Ecuador, Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. Students can be paid for work done for the internship.
Students who add the K -12 ESOL Certification option to their program are required to do 2 semesters of student observation/teaching in K -12 ESOL public school programs in the Baltimore/Washington area. This internship is experienced at both elementary and secondary schools. P-12 internship starts in the fall and continues until the spring. The internship requires spending 100 days in the public schools (20 days in the fall and 80 days in the spring) plus attending seminars each semester where they discuss aspects of their internship experiences.
Thesis option students develop a research proposal and write a thesis under the guidance of an advisor and several faculty advisors. Thesis students can do their thesis research in the United States or abroad. Many of our students who have gone on to doctoral programs have found their thesis experience helpful.
© M.A. TESOL Program, Department of Education, UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore MD 21250
Phone: +1 410 455-3061 • esol@umbc.edu