Program Overview

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages M.S. Program

The Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program leads to initial/professional certification. Candidates who are seeking their first teaching certificate must complete the 15-week New York State required student teaching experience. Professional Certification in New York State requires three years of teaching experience.

Career Opportunities

TESOL graduates typically teach in K-12 grade public schools, in English language institutes, in private schools, or for corporations around the world.

Outside the Classroom

• 10-15 hours of fieldwork observation experience per course
• The Clinical Experience (student teaching) is a semester-long capstone course in collaboration with local schools

Courses

30 credits total

• Education in Today's Schools
• Cultural Perspectives and the Teaching Learning Process
• Linguistics and Language Development
• The Teaching of Writing and the Writing Process

The Mercy Advantage

We have strong relationships with elementary and secondary schools across New York City and Westchester, ensuring that when students graduate they are prepared with experience and professional contacts.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Official transcripts
• Résumé
• Effective Educator Statement

Program Details & Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

Program and Course Requirements for Master of Science in TESOL - First Teaching Certificate

• Track I: 30 Credits

Program Outcomes

By the end of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a solid content knowledge base that enables them to deliver effective educational and professional services based on current research, theory, and practice
• Employ multiple pedagogical and professional strategies and tools to enable them to be effective practitioners in educational settings and deliver services that promote students' intellectual, social, and emotional development
• Understand the diverse cultural, linguistic, learning, and social strengths and needs of all populations, and incorporate and demonstrate sensitivity to the richness of diverse cultures when providing educational and other school services
• Employ technology to deliver information, instruction, and professional services to all members of the school community
• Reflect on professional practice to make educational decisions and enhance student learning
• Demonstrate positive dispositions that enable them to work as effective educators, citizens, and practitioners within the school and broader community

Full-Time Faculty

• Mi-Hyun Chung: Professor and Chair, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Barbara J Keckler: Associate Professor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Victoria Nunez: Assistant Professor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Gulizar Bahar Otcu-Grillman: Professor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies

Part-Time Faculty

• Kathryn T Accurso: Senior Lecturer, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Christine M Baez: Instructor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Lucy Giordano: Senior Instructor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
• Kathleen M. Lowell: Instructor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies

Frequently Asked Questions

• I didn't major in education. Do I need to?
  • No, just a liberal arts major, or have completed a 30-credit sequence in a liberal arts content area.
• Which state exams do I need to take to earn my initial or advanced certification as a teacher?
  • The following exams are required for initial candidates: EAS, CST(s) in your certification area(s), and the edTPA during student teaching. Other state requirements include fingerprinting and workshops (DASA, Child Abuse, Violence Prevention, Health and Safety).
• What education programs do you offer?
  • The School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2; Childhood Education, Grades 1-6; Secondary Education, 7-12; Teaching Literacy, Birth-Grade 12; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Educational Supervision; Educational Administration
• How many foreign language credits are needed in order to receive TESOL Certification?
  • Students seeking TESOL Certification need to have completed 12 credits in a Foreign Language prior to applying for TESOL certification with NYSED (American Sign Language is considered a foreign language).