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Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA-TESOL) With K–12 Certification

The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA-TESOL) with K–12 Certification at Seattle Pacific University prepares students for leadership and service in the field of teaching English as a second or foreign language. The program is characterized by close interaction with faculty committed to excellence in teaching and scholarship, integrated with active involvement in the ESL community.

About the Program

The MA-TESOL program with K–12 Certification is rooted in a four-strand approach:

• Academic preparation, including courses in phonology, morphology, syntax, and second-language acquisition.
• Pedagogy, including methods courses that serve as a bridge between theory and practice.
• Practica, including a language-learning practicum and a two-quarter teaching phase during which students are placed with seasoned "host teachers" for classroom observation and teaching experience.
• Electives, giving students a chance to explore individual interests in the TESOL field, including courses in technology.

Scheduling

The 3-credit courses generally meet once a week for two-and-a-half hours, usually held during afternoon and evening hours, Monday through Thursday. This schedule makes full- or part-time employment possible. Students are free to take only one or two courses per quarter or up to 9 credits per quarter. All coursework must be completed within six years.

Curriculum

The program prepares students to teach in colleges and universities, and in various language institutes within the United States and abroad. The program may be completed in seven quarters of full-time coursework. Practica scheduling and other considerations may extend this period.

Prerequisites

• Proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to at least one year's study at the college level.
• One or more basic courses in linguistic theory (e.g., LIN 2100), which may be taken concurrently with the master's coursework with the approval of the program director.

Admission Requirements

• Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or its equivalent.
• Submit at least two letters of recommendation from unrelated individuals familiar with the intended field of study.
• Submit a personal statement essay in response to questions provided in the application packet.
• Submit an official copy of transcript(s) from the college or university that granted the bachelor's degree and any institution attended since that time.
• Present a GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0=A) in the last 45 quarter credits of coursework completed before applying for admission or in all undergraduate work, whichever is higher.
• If English is not the first language, present a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the iBT or 600 on the paper-based test, or present an overall IELTS score of 6.5.
• Present an acceptable score on the West-B and West-E exams, or approved alternatives for out-of-state residents.
• Submit the OSPI Character and Fitness Supplement.
• Submit the SPU Personal Fitness form.
• Provide an affidavit of support reflecting financial support covering each year of intended enrollment if not a citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
• Complete the online application for the MA-TESOL program and include the application fee.

Application Deadline

Applicants for the MA-TESOL With K–12 Certification must apply by March 15 for the Autumn Quarter start.

Program Details

• The MA-TESOL With K–12 Certification is 69 credits.
• The program may be completed in seven quarters of full-time coursework, with the possibility of extension due to practica scheduling and other considerations.
• Many ESL programs run on a limited and shortened basis during Summer Sessions, with practicum placements typically unavailable at that time.
• Students may transfer up to 12 comparable graduate credits into the SPU program with the director's approval.