Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL)

The MA TESOL degree prepares its recipients for teaching English to speakers of other languages and other language-related professions. The MA is increasingly the degree expected for teachers both in the United States and abroad, where it is generally a requirement for university-level teaching.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to graduate study at Portland State University.
2. Admission to the MA TESOL program. See the department website for application information (www.pdx.edu/applied-linguistics).
3. Proficiency in English. If the student is not a native speaker of English and doesn't hold a valid B.A. degree or equivalent from an English-medium university, a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100, IELTS 7.0, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68 is required for admission. The M.A. TESOL program does not accept the DuoLingo English Test for evidence of proficiency. Alternatively, students can be admitted after completing Portland State’s Intensive English Language Program (IELP) with a GPA of 3.5 and receiving a recommendation for graduate study from the IELP. 

Persons interested in applying for the MA TESOL Program should write to the Department of Applied Linguistics at linginfo@pdx.edu or visit the department’s website at www.pdx.edu/applied-linguistics for additional information. Regular information sessions are held for prospective students. Contact the department for details.

The thesis will conform to departmental and university guidelines for details such as thesis proposal meetings, defenses, and formatting.

All courses other than Ling 566 need to be passed with a grade of “B” or better in order for them to count toward this degree. Ling 566 is graded on a P/NP basis and must be passed. Ling 507 (Seminar) and Ling 510 (Selected Topics) will count for credit in a particular curriculum component area, depending on course content, with prior approval by the student’s adviser.

Additionally, the department and the university require at least two years’ study of a language in addition to the student’s native language or an equivalent level of proficiency in a non-native language. For non-native speakers of English, proficiency in English as described above fulfills this requirement. For native speakers of English, two years of college-level study of an additional language as documented by a transcript fulfills this requirement. Students who have not already had two years or the equivalent of an additional language at the college level can complete the graduation requirement while working on the M.A., but doing so will likely lengthen the time for completing the degree.