The program provides a course of study leading to the master of arts degree with a major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages (TESOL). The MA-TESOL program at the University of Nevada, Reno is housed in the Department of Educational Specialties in the College of Education. The program is designed for both native and non-native speakers of English who wish to teach ESL or EFL. The degree prepares the candidates for employment as teachers, program directors, curriculum consultants, or materials developers. Candidates for this degree will do course work in second language acquisition theories, TESOL methods and materials, linguistics, and multicultural education. Courses are offered through the Department of Educational Specialties with other courses offered in the English Department.

An application and advisement manual is available for download (PDF).

Beginning in Fall of 2009, there will be exciting new changes in courses for the MA TESOL program. See below

The MATESOL program is designed to meet the needs of practicing as well as prospective teachers new to this field. For master's candidates with a state of Nevada teaching license, the MATESOL program will provide the courses needed for a professional ESL endorsement. The master's program is offered on a non-thesis basis only. A culminating experience is required for completion of the degree. Options for the culminating experience vary based on the student's program of study.

In order to teach ESL in the public school system in Nevada (K-12), students must have a Nevada teaching license in elementary education, secondary education, or special education. Students may pursue a teaching license concurrently with the MATESOL program. Participation in the teacher licensure program requires separate admission to the College of Education Teacher Education program and involves additional course work and one semester of full-time student teaching; thus, lengthening the amount of time required to complete both the master's degree in TESOL and a Nevada teaching license.

Those interested in Teaching English Abroad, please see the web site created by MA-TESOL students on this topic.

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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The program requires a minimum of 39 credits. A minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the 700 level. One additional credit through enrollment in EDS 795 is required by the university for completion of the comprehensive exams. Candidates must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations or other approved qualifying criteria before being awarded the degree. A maximum of nine graduate credits may be transferred to UNR from other accredited institutions.

Additional program requirements include:

(1) Candidates who have not taken upper division courses in English syntax and introduction to linguistics, are required to take ENGL 612A* and ENGL 611B*, which can be counted toward the 39 credits.

(2) Candidates unable to document a full year of full time ESL/EFL classroom teaching experience must take EDRL 738, the ESL Practicum;

(3) Candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program

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Program of Study

The courses below illustrate the program configuration beginning in Fall of 2009. Current students should work with their advisors to ensure a smooth transition. No changes will be made to students' previously approved programs of study.

Departmental Core Courses (9 credit hours)

EDUC 680 Multicultural Concerns in Diverse Educational Settings
EDUC 770 Master's Seminar in Educational Specialties [to be taken in the first year]
EDUC 751 Research Applications in Educational Specialties

Required TESOL Courses (24 credit hours)

EDRL 671 Language Acquisition, Development and Learning
EDRL 678 Theory & Instruction in ESL: Reading/Writing (new in 2009-2010)
EDRL 679 Theory & Instruction in ESL: Speaking/ Listening (new in 2009-2010)
EDRL 730 Survey of TESOL Research & Practice (new in 2009-2010)
EDRL 731 Professional Development in TESOL (new in 2009-2010)
EDRL 735 Language Assessment  
EDRL 736 Curric Development in Sec. Language Education
EDRL 738 TESOL Practicum

Electives (6 credits or more)

Recommended Electives

EDUC 771D Special Topics in Educational Specialties: TESOL (topics vary by semester)
EDRL 690 Teaching Spanish Speakers in American ESL Settings (new in 2009-2010)
ENGL 611B Principles of Modern Grammar (required if not taken in undergraduate program)
ENGL 612A Linguistics (required if not taken in undergraduate program)

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