Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language
(MA-TESL)

The Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA-TESL) is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching English as an additional language in programs traditionally known as English as a second or foreign language (ESL/EFL). Coursework is appropriate for those interested in teaching ESL/EFL to children or adults in the United States and/or international settings. The MA-TESL also prepares students for advanced study in applied linguistics. As an interdisciplinary program, the MA-TESL presents systematic instruction in applied linguistics, second language acquisition theory, and ESL/EFL program implementation.

Program Admission Requirements
The Division of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies offers an interdisciplinary program that encourages applicants from a wide range of disciplines. Applicants who do not meet University-wide requirements for unconditional admission may be admitted conditionally if scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), letters of recommendation, and/or previous work in the field provide evidence of academic potential. Information on the GRE and applications for the test may be obtained from the UTSA Testing Center or from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The institution code for the University of Texas at San Antonio is 6919-5 for the GRE.

After completing the online application form (https://apply.embark.com/grad/utsa/32/), all materials should be sent to:

The University of Texas at San Antonio
Office of Graduate Studies
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249-0603

General Degree Requirements
Degree candidates are required to successfully complete a 36-semester-credit-hour program. Upon completion of at least 30 semester credit hours of coursework, the candidate is required to pass a written and oral comprehensive examination. Candidates are also required to give evidence of second language learning experiences acceptable to the division’s Graduate Program Committee. International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 or greater on the paper-based exam or a minimum of 79-80 on the internet-based exam.

Students must take at least 21 semester credit hours of English as a Second Language courses and 9 hours of Bicultural-Bilingual studies courses. The MA-TESL degree is offered under two options: thesis and non-thesis.

Degree Requirements
A. Required coursework. 30 semester credit hours of coursework from four major areas as follows:

Language Theory and Language Use (9 hours):
• ESL 5003 Linguistics for Second Language and Bilingual Specialists
• ESL 5013 Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
• ESL 5083 Pedagogical Grammar
or
• BBL 5123 Sociolinguistics and Education

Classroom Practice and Program Designs (12 hours):
• ESL 5053 Approaches to Second Language Instruction
• BBL 5053 Assessment in Bilingual and Second Language Studies

3 hours from the following:
• ESL 5033 Second Language Reading and Writing
• ESL 6063 Advanced Second Language Literacy
• ESL 6043 Family and Adult Literacy in Language Minority Communities

3 hours from the following:
• ESL 5043 Listening and Speaking in Second Language Programs
• ESL 5063 Language and Content-Area Instruction
• ESL 5073 Computer Assisted Language Learning
• ESL 6053 Program and Syllabus Design
• ESL 6941-3 Internship in English as a Second Language

Research (6 hours from the following):
• ESL 6013 Second Language Acquisition Research
• BBL 6063 Research Methods in Bilingual and Second Language Studies
or
• BBL 6073 Ethnographic Research Methods in Bicultural Bilingual Studies

Sociocultural Studies (3 hours from the following):
• BBL 5003 Foundations for Bicultural Studies
• BBL 5013 Multicultural Groups in the United States
• BBL 5023 Cultural Adaptation in Bilingual Societies
• BBL 5043 Ethnography of Communication
• BBL 6223 Anthropology and Education in Multicultural Contexts

B. Options
Option I. 6 semester credit hours of Master’s Thesis
or
Option II. 6 semester credit hours of graduate elective coursework in Bicultural-Bilingual studies, English as a Second Language, or approved related areas, 3 of which must carry an ESL prefix.

Contact
For further information or to request an application packet, please contact:
Rubén Arciniega, Student Development Specialist
• ruben.arciniega@utsa.edu
• 210-458-6619
• 210-458-5962 fax

Degree Worksheet

Please use degree worksheet* along with faculty advising to assist in completing the requirements for TESL and BBL Master of Arts for 2007-2009. You may also use Graduate catalog to supplement degree worksheets. It is required that you receive approval for final degree plan from faculty advisor when completing the 36 hour program.

* subject to change; For more information please email Ruben Arciniega: Ruben.Arciniega@utsa.edu

Wayne E. Wright, PhD, MA-TESL Program Graduate Advisor of Record

Check the Graduate School website for Master of Arts application deadlines.

UTSA Graduate Catalog

Click here Outstanding MA-TESL Graduates    to view a list of Outstanding MA-TESL graduates, including recent positions held within the field.