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University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine, United States

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.S.Ed.

The Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages provides students with the knowledge base and practical skills related to English as a Second Language (ESL) acquisition by English language learners (ELLs). The emphasis is on developing proficiency and literacy in English as a Second Language and/or English as a Foreign Language. The program provides practitioners with the skills needed to assess language and implement instruction to improve learners’ proficiency for competent second language use.

The MSEd in TESOL is the only degree of its kind in Maine and is designed to accommodate the needs and goals of a wide range of ESL professionals working with culturally and linguistically diverse students, including K-12 teachers, adult educators, and those who teach or want to teach abroad. International students are encouraged to apply. This 30-credit program may be completed in one year with careful planning alongside a faculty advisor and summer or fall matriculation. The TESOL practicum (EDU 623) provides students with numerous and varied placement opportunities and can be completed in the United States or overseas. Many courses are offered fully online or in blended formats.

The program offers courses in different delivery modes, such as online, and on campus.

There are two pathways for the TESOL program:

A format that offers blended and on-campus courses are offered in 15-week format in fall and spring, and one-week and 7-week formats in the summer.
An accelerated online MSEd in TESOL with a special tuition rate offers courses in 7-week format year-round.
This program does not lead to initial K-12 ESL teacher certification in Maine. It does lead to a Maine K-12 ESL endorsement for educators who are already certified to teach in Maine in another content area or grade level.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

The University of Maine System (UMS) has a wide array of benefits available to employees.
Our benefits not only enhance employees’ financial security and well-being, they also add significantly to their total compensation. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes paid time off (holidays, vacation and sick), health, dental, vision and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, a tuition waiver program for eligible employees and dependents, a 403(b) retirement plan and more.

PSW Opportunity

3 years PSW

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Application requirements and deadlines vary by program. See the sections above to browse by program. Fully online programs will not meet eligibility for a student visa (I-20). On-campus courses will be required.

In addition to the standard application materials, international students must also provide the following materials before their application will be reviewed:

Provide financial documentation that shows you are able to support educational and living costs.
Additional requirements for applicants with an international college transcript

Submit an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) transcript analysis agency
Evaluations must be course-by-course and provide verification that the degree you hold is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
NOTE: Some universities in Canada are exempt
Additional requirements for specific programs

Creative Writing (MFA): Review additional residency requirements.

Additional requirements for international transfer applicants

If you currently hold an F-1 student visa in the United States and wish to transfer to USM from another college or university, you will need to complete a transfer form with the foreign student advisor at your current school.

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency — unless you hold a degree from an English-speaking institution.

We accept the following test scores and qualifications for admission into undergraduate programs:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test
Scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test
Scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Scores of 6.5 or higher
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Scores of 60 or higher
Duolingo Test of English
Scores of 105 or higher 
NOTE: We are accepting Duolingo scores on a trial basis for the 2022–23 academic year