Overview
Program Coordinator: Melissa Thomas
Program Delivery Format: Online, 8-week sessions.
Total Credits: 33
Average Completion Time: 24 months
Admission Cycle: Fall, Spring, and Summer (two admission options each semester, six entry points a year)
Admissions Contact: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management (cperry@mcdaniel.edu | 410-386-4833)
GPS Student Support Liaisons: gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu | 410-857-2500
Responding to a critical community need, Graduate and Professional Studies at McDaniel College created the master’s program for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
The TESOL Master’s degree program is designed to promote excellence in teaching speakers of other languages. This program does not lead to an initial PreK-12 teacher certification and is designed for currently licensed teachers who are seeking specialty licensure in ESOL. The program places a strong emphasis on the development of: professionalism in language education; individual language rights; accessible, high quality education; collaboration in a global community; interaction of research and reflective practice for educational improvement; respect for diversity and multiculturalism; and promotion of professional development and exchange for educators. This program is closely aligned with the professional standards established by Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) International Association. The Maryland Higher Education Commission approved the program in 2007.
McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the program must:
- Complete an application for graduate study
- Submit official bachelor’s degree transcipts with a minimum of 3.00 GPA* from an accredited institution; graduate transcripts if applicable.
- Provide a copy of a teaching license or evidence of completion of teacher preparation program and passing Praxis II content scores in lieu of teacher licensure. Teachers who hold a license or certification from states outside of Maryland must also provide a copy of a teaching license. Candidates holding Provisional or Conditional teacher licensure are not eligible for this program and should contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at gps@mcdaniel.edu to discuss other intial teacher certification options.
*Please note: Students who have a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted provisionally and will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission but may be required to provide additional documentation and/or participate in an interview. Admission may also come with additional conditions.
International Students:
This program is delivered online and as a result does not meet the federal regulations for international students to study in the US. If you are a US citizen living outside of the US, you should contact gps@mcdaniel.edu to discuss your eligibility for admission to this program.
Additional Requisites as Approved by the Program Coordinator
If a student does not already have the appropriate requisite courses below, they would need to be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level:
- Three credits in cross-cultural studies
- Six credits in a modern foreign language
If a student does not currently have a teaching certificate, the appropriate requisite courses below may need to be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level:
- Three credits in foundations of education
Foundation Courses: 24 credits
Elective
3-credit elective related to program. Program Coordinator/advisor approval required.
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel College’s Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure and the completion of McDaniel degrees, please review our Professional Licensure webpage.
Students who complete this program and are seeking Maryland licensure must meet all Maryland-specific requirements in addition to completing this Maryland approved program. The requirements may include but are not limited to the following:
- Additional coursework in special education
- Passing scores on content specific exams (i.e. - Praxis)
- Teaching experience
- Payment of application or processing fees
More information about Maryland State Department of Education requirements can be found at https://marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/Default.aspx
