Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL): Initial K-12 ESL Certification, 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 36-credit program may be completed in one and half years with careful planning alongside a faculty advisor. We maintain strong partnerships with local schools where field experiences and student teaching may be completed. The TESOL practicum (EDU 623) is a 40-hour field experience completed in a Maine school to prepare students for the TESOL internship (EDU 640), a 15-week, full-time student teaching experience completed in a Maine school to meet the state’s initial K-12 ESL certification requirements. The internship may be completed part-time over two semesters with careful planning alongside your program advisor. Though there is no fully online option with this initial certification program, the program offers courses in different delivery modes, such as online, blended, and on campus.
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
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 01 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
37500 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: N/A
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