Students in TESL/Applied Linguistics take 6 foundational courses (18 credits), 3 elective courses (9 credits), and prepare a thesis or creative component (3 credits) which may be in an area of specialization. The degree requires at least 30 credits.

Prerequisites for the program include the following courses, or their equivalents(students who have not completed the prerequisites upon entry into the program must complete them as soon as possible after admission): English 220: Descriptive English Grammar or passing the online grammar test-out; English 219: Introduction to Linguistics or English 511: Introduction to Linguistic Analysis; English 510: Introduction to Computers in Applied Linguistics.

Core requirement = 18 credits

Linguistic Analysis and Interpretation

• English/Linguistics 514: Sociolinguistics/Language in Society
• English/Linguistics 537 (516 in previous catalogs): Grammatical Analysis/English Syntax

Applied Aspects of Second Language Acquisition

• English/Linguistics 517: Second Language Acquisition
• English/Linguistics 518: TESL Methods and Materials
• English 519: Second Language Assessment
• English 588: Supervised Practicum in TESL, or English 500: Proseminar: Teaching English Composition

Elective Areas of Specialization = 9 credits

(double specialization requires a minimum of 18 credits)

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

• A course in instructional technology
• English/Linguistics 526: Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Other relevant elective*

Language Assessment

• English/Linguistics 527: Discourse Analysis
• English/Linguistics 590: Assessment Practicum (independent study)
• Other relevant elective*

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

• English/Linguistics 527: Discourse Analysis
• English 528: English for Specific Purposes
• Other relevant elective*

Literacy

• English/Linguistics 524: Literacy: Issues and Methods for Nonnative Speakers of English
• Two courses taken with prior approval from the student's adviser/major professor and chosen from relevant electives in literacy (see below).

Suggested courses inside the English Department include:

• English 503: Teaching Composition: Theory and Research

• English/Linguistics 525: Methods in Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills to Nonnative Speakers of English

• Any relevant graduate literature courses

Suggested courses outside the English Department include:

• Curriculum and Instruction 554: Reading and Responding to Children's Literature

• Curriculum and Instruction 533: Educational Psychology

• Any courses with a significant component relevant to research in and/or pedagogy in literacy

Literature in ESL

• Three electives chosen from extensive offerings in literature*

Open Option

(no declared area of specialization)

• Three appropriate electives approved by the POS committee*

Independent research = 3 credits (only 3 credits may count towards the degree)

• English 699: Thesis or English 599: Creative Component on topic related to area of specialization

Language Requirement

Satisfying the language requirement may require additional coursework.