Program Overview

Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Florida State University is an online program that provides rigorous professional training to pre-service and current teachers and practitioners of English as a foreign (EFL) or second language (ESL). The program offers courses that equip students with cutting-edge knowledge of language teaching theory, as well as practical skills used in teaching ESL and EFL courses at different levels based on the latest developments in the field of language teaching.

Program Features

• Flexible: take classes fully online, full time or part time
• Affordable: tuition fees among the lowest in the country
• Student-centered: receive training tailored for your own interests and career goals
• Prestigious: learn from award-winning professors at a top-ranked university

Program Overview

The TESOL online program prepares students for careers in ESL and EFL teaching, language assessment, teacher training, materials development, program administration, education consulting, and publishing. Students can also go on to pursue a Ph.D. in Second Language Education or Applied Linguistics. The core faculty in the TESOL online program are renowned scholars whose research is published in top journals and whose expertise spans a wide range of areas such as instructed second language acquisition, task-based teaching, research methods, and individual differences in language learning.

Admission Requirements

To meet minimum University admission requirements, applicants must have:

• A bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
• GRE test scores (official test results are required from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination)
  • Target Scores: Verbal – 146+, Quantitative – 140+
  • The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants who meet specific criteria, such as having three years of professional experience as a practicing educator or equivalent field, or successful completion of six graduate credit hours from the C&I program with a graduate GPA of 3.50 or higher
• Language proficiency test (international students only)
• Transcripts (official transcript from each college and/or university attended)
• Supporting documents:
  • Statement of purpose (one page)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • One page resume/curriculum vitae
  • Writing Sample

Application Deadlines

• Fall: July 1
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: March 1

Course/Degree Requirements

The minimum number of credits required is 33 credit hours. All required or elective courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise specified.

Required Major-Program Courses (30 credit hours)

• TSL 5345: Methodologies for Teaching Foreign and Second Languages
• TSL 5440: Foreign and Second Language Testing and Evaluation
• TSL 5660: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
• TSL 5142: Curriculum Design and Materials Development in Foreign and Second Language Education
• TSL 5350: Pedagogical Grammar for Foreign and Second Language Teachers
• TSL 5250: Applied Linguistics in Foreign and Second Language Teaching
• TSL 5525: Cross-cultural Communication for Foreign and Second Language Teachers
• TSL 6665: Instructed Second Language Acquisition
• TSL 6371: Task-Based Language Learning and Teaching
• TSL 6661: Individual Differences and the Psychology of the Language Learner

Electives List

Students may select one or more electives from a list of suggested electives offered in the College, depending on their interests and what is offered on-campus in any given semester. Electives may be chosen from areas such as:

• Reading and Literacy Education
• Learning and Cognition
• Instructional Systems and Learning Technology
• Special Education
• Research Methods & Educational Measurement
• Educational Policy

Tuition & Aid

Information about tuition and fees at Florida State University is available, as well as details on scholarship and aid opportunities for students.

Career Opportunities

There is a high demand for TESOL teachers all over the world. The TESOL online program prepares students for careers in ESL and EFL teaching, language assessment, teacher training, materials development, program administration, education consulting, and publishing. A career in education can be very rewarding, offering ample opportunities for professional development and growth. Educators make a difference in the lifelong learning experience of their students, as well as the quality and standards of the programs they teach.