MA in English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language (MA)
Overview
The MA in English as a Second Language aims to provide graduate training for language educators and prospective researchers within the international profession of TESOL, teachers of English to speakers of other languages. The graduate program is designed based on applied linguistics, focusing on second language and ESL theories and teaching practices, including assessments, and special topics of computer-assessed language learning (CALL), curriculum design, and Second Language Acquisition theories. Students are mostly ESL teachers in RGV. But we also have students who are advanced to a doctoral degree or teach English overseas, like in Korea, Japan, and Mexico. Most students take the non-thesis option for professional training, while some do the thesis option with a plan to pursue a doctoral degree.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in English as a second language, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Letter of intent demonstrating interest in the program and articulation of goals
- Resume including education and work experience
- English language ability will be judged on the resume and submitted letter of intent; therefore, applications should be certain to use appropriate, formal academic English
- Non-native English speakers who did not graduate from an English-medium high school and university must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirement
Non-thesis Option
Required Courses - 18 Hours
| ENGL 6360 | Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers |
| ENGL 6370 | Second Language Teaching Methods |
| ENGL 6371 | Special Topics in Second Language Teaching |
| ENGL 6373 | Second Language Assessments |
| ENGL 6374 | Studies in Second Language Acquisition |
| ENGL 6375 | Studies in Language and Culture |
Prescribed Electives- 15 Hours
Choose three (3) from the following:
| ENGL 6361 | Problems in Linguistics |
| ENGL 6362 | Modern English Syntax |
| ENGL 6363 | Studies in English Phonology |
| ENGL 6365 | History of the English Language |
| ENGL 6371 | Special Topics in Second Language Teaching |
| ENGL 6376 | Varieties of Present Day English |
Any 5000 or 6000 level course at UTRGV.
Capstone Requirement - 3 Hours
| ENGL 6378 | Research Designs in Second Language Studies |
Thesis Option
Required Courses - 21 Hours
| ENGL 6360 | Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers |
| ENGL 6370 | Second Language Teaching Methods |
| ENGL 6371 | Special Topics in Second Language Teaching |
| ENGL 6373 | Second Language Assessments |
| ENGL 6375 | Studies in Language and Culture |
| ENGL 6376 | Varieties of Present Day English |
| ENGL 6378 | Research Designs in Second Language Studies |
Prescribed Electives - 9 Hours
Choose two from the following:
| ENGL 6361 | Problems in Linguistics |
| ENGL 6362 | Modern English Syntax |
| ENGL 6363 | Studies in English Phonology |
| ENGL 6365 | History of the English Language |
| ENGL 6371 | Special Topics in Second Language Teaching |
| ENGL 6376 | Varieties of Present Day English |
Choose one from the following:
Any 5000 or 6000 level course at UTRGV.
Thesis - 6 Hours
| ENGL 7300 | Thesis I |
| ENGL 7301 | Thesis II |
Total Credit Hours: 36