M.A. TESOL Frequently Asked Questions
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Questions asked by prospective students
What kinds of employment can I get with a M.A. TESOL degree?
What is the job market like now and what services do you offer for finding jobs?
What kinds of students enroll in SFSU’s M.A. TESOL program?
How many M.A. students are in the program?
What is the average class size?
Of the students who apply, how many are accepted?
When can I find out if I have been accepted?
What are the faculty’s areas of expertise?
What are the strengths and advantages of the M.A. TESOL program?
How long does it take to complete the M.A. degree?
Are there opportunities to gain teaching experience?
What are the estimated costs?
What kind of financial aid is available?
Can I transfer units I’ve earned at other institutions?
May I take courses for the M.A. TESOL degree before I am admitted?
Do you offer a TESOL Certificate?
Do you have a distance learning program?
Does the M.A. TESOL program give attention to teaching children?
Can I teach elementary, middle or high school ESL with a M.A.?
I am a non-native speaker of English, and my TOEFL score is below the minimum score. Can I be admitted conditionally?
I have been admitted. Can I postpone enrollment?
Questions asked by enrolled students
Can I waive prerequisite courses?
How many courses and which courses should I take during my first semester?
Which foreign language can I take with English 426?
Are there any classes to improve my public speaking?
How can I find out when classes are scheduled?
Can I take English 426 and English 730 at the same time? Can I take English 730 and English 731/732) in the same semester?
I’d like to take a specific seminar. When is the next semester that it will be offered?
Which classes do you recommend for fulfilling the literature prerequisite?
How can I get advising?
Do I have to maintain a certain GPA?
Which classes can I take during the Winter and Summer sessions?
Why do some M.A. TESOL students get the Composition Certificate and Reading Certificate?
How can I find out about teaching jobs and volunteer opportunities?
When is the earliest I could be a teaching intern at the ALI?
Questions asked by prospective students
What kinds of employment can I get with a M.A. TESOL degree?
You can get a job teaching ESL to adults in intensive (pre-university) programs, community colleges, 4-year colleges/universities, and workplace settings in the U.S., and teaching English abroad. Information on minimum qualifications for ESL teaching positions is online at:http://www.tesol.org/careers/. Qualifications to teach in California are given online at: http://www.catesol.org/minqual.html. Related employment can also be found, e.g., as a materials writer or administrator.
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What is the job market like now and what services do you offer for finding jobs?
It is not difficult to get an ESL teaching job in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere in the U.S. However, throughout the country, most ESL teaching positions in community colleges and 4-year universities are part-time jobs. Teachers sometimes take on two or more part-time jobs in different programs. A lot depends on how enterprising you are in terms of getting appropriate experience and making contacts.
Our courses require and encourage observing and working as a teaching assistant, which are good opportunities to get experience and learn about student populations and programs, and to network with possible future employers. In the final integrative seminar (Eng. 891), some time is spent on job strategies.
Worldwide, excellent teaching jobs are available in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern and Central Europe, and other locations.
For a sampling of jobs, check the job search links at our program Web site. Our faculty, and our many alumni and contacts, in California and around the world, are a rich source of information about job openings.
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What kinds of students enroll in SFSU’s M.A. TESOL program?
Our program has all kinds of students, of diverse ages and backgrounds. Many have taught English abroad or in the U.S., and wish to obtain a M.A. to get a solid foundation in current theory and methodology in TESOL as well as to be competitive for the best ESL/EFL teaching jobs. Many others have no ESL/EFL teaching experience but are attracted to the field because they think they will enjoy working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. A number of our graduate students are in the process of switching careers. 25-35% of our students are international students; the majority come from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
M.A. TESOL students have had a variety of undergraduate majors. Most begin the program lacking some/all of the prerequisite courses.
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How many M.A. students are in the program?
There are currently approximately 230 students enrolled at all stages of the program. About 50-60 students begin the M.A. TESOL program every Fall, and around 30-40 begin studies every Spring. Every year, 40-60 students complete the program.
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What is the average class size?
20-35 students in upper division undergraduate (prerequisite) courses, 10-18 students in graduate seminars.
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Of the students who apply, how many are accepted?
We do not have a fixed, predetermined limit on the number of applicants accepted. Due to the large number of applications received, not all qualified applicants can be accepted. Admission is competitive. Applicants with strong academic records and statements of purpose have the best chance to be admitted.
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When can I find out if I have been accepted?
No application is processed until all required documents (including official transcripts of all previous course work and official TOEFL score if required) and the application fee have been received. For quickest possible processing, mail everything in one package to Admissions and in one package to the English Department. When your files are complete, your application will be reviewed.
Due to the large number of applications received and workload for staff, final decisions on admission cannot be made until after the application deadline. Acceptance letters for Fall admission are sent out in March-May, and acceptance letters for Spring are sent out in October-November.
You can check the status of your application online at: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/appstat.htm and you may also call to check your status at (415) 338-7000. You will need to provide your identification (ID) number and a personal access code (PAC). The Web site gives first time users specific instructions for setting up their PAC number.
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What are the faculty’s areas of expertise?
We have 10 faculty in TESOL and 3 faculty in linguistics, with diverse areas of expertise, including all of the sub-fields of linguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, methods for teaching oral skills, methods for teaching reading and writing, teaching English abroad, teaching ESL in the workplace, community-based ESL for immigrants, adult literacies, pedagogical grammar, technology, curriculum & materials development, and assessment. See the faculty profiles. More information.
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What are the strengths and advantages of the M.A. TESOL program?
- Our program has a long, distinguished history and faculty with an outstanding reputation for leadership, publications, and service in TESOL.
- We are located in an exciting urban area, with chances to observe diverse ESL programs serving immigrants and international students.
- Our program has a practical emphasis on teacher preparation.
- SFSU offers relatively affordable tuition.
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How long does it take to complete the M.A. degree?
Typically, the entire M.A. TESOL program, including the prerequisite courses taken during the first semester or two, takes 2 to 2 1/2 academic years (4 or 5 semesters excluding summers) to complete, and longer if you are a part-time student.
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Are there opportunities to gain teaching experience?
Yes. More information.
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What are the estimated costs?
Current fees and living costs are given at: http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/fees.htm and at http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/Feepayment/Current/schedule.htm.
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What kind of financial aid is available?
Various types of loans, work-study, and small scholarships are available, mainly only to citizens and permanent residents of the U.S. Online, you can find information at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/ -- Click on “Financial Aid”, to the left.
English Dept. scholarships (Spring Semester applications): http://www.sfsu.edu/~english/
Our Department does not offer any full-tuition scholarships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. Many of our graduate students support themselves by working off campus. Some, especially those with teaching experience, manage to obtain part-time teaching jobs at language schools in the San Francisco area. Some are also hired as teachers at the American Language Institute (ALI) on campus.
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Can I transfer units I’ve earned at other institutions?
SFSU will accept a maximum of 6 semester units of transfer credit to be included on a student’s Graduate Approved Program (GAP) (the 30 units which count toward the M.A., not prerequisites). The courses must be upper division or graduate-level classes taken after you completed your B.A., relevant to TESOL, and recent (taken within 7 years of the semester when you plan to graduate). SFSU will not accept units from another university if that university does not accept the units for its own advanced degree programs. Because courses taken as part of a certificate program are usually not regular academic courses that count towards a university degree, such courses usually cannot be transferred. If you wish to transfer courses taken at another university (typically, for Group III electives), speak to an advisor.
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May I take courses for the M.A. TESOL degree before I am admitted?
You may take prerequisite courses (English 421, 424, 425, 426, upper division courses in American/British literature) and the foreign language course concurrent with English 426, before formal admission to the M.A. program, through CEL (College of Extended Learning), if there is space in the class after matriculated students have registered. Taking these classes is a good way to get introduced to the TESOL program. Information on registering for classes through the College of Extended Learning (before you are formally admitted) is available online at: http://www.cel.sfsu.edu/.
None of the 30 units of core graduate courses which count towards the M.A. (i.e., English 653, 730, 731, 732, 733, 891, and four Group classes) may be taken BEFORE admission to the M.A. program.
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Do you offer a TESOL Certificate?
No, SFSU does not offer a TESOL Certificate, only an M.A. program. A Master’s degree is an in-depth academic program, providing a solid foundation in linguistics, and in TESOL theory and research as well as methodology. A TESOL Certificate program typically focuses on practical training and can be completed more quickly than an M.A.
A certificate may be adequate for teaching in many adult schools, some private language schools, and some programs abroad (especially for younger learners). An M.A. degree is required to teach in the best universities abroad, and in community colleges, universities, and the top intensive English programs in the U.S.
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Do you have a distance learning program?
No, not at the present time.
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Does the M.A. TESOL program give attention to teaching children?
Our program’s focus is on adults and adolescents. If you seek preparation to teach children, you should probably consider applying to a program in Elementary Education.
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Can I teach elementary, middle or high school ESL with a M.A.?
No, the M.A. TESOL degree does not fulfill requirements for K-12 teacher credentialing in California. The College of Education has programs for multiple subject (elementary) and single subject (middle and high school) credentials (http://www.sfsu.edu/~credinfo/).
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I am a non-native speaker of English, and my TOEFL score is below the minimum score. Can I be admitted conditionally?
Our experience is that graduate students with a level of English proficiency represented by computer-based TOEFL scores below 240 and essay rating below 4.5 have a very difficult time with courses in our program. To build your English proficiency and academic skills in preparation for graduate study, you may want to consider studying at the American Language Institute (ALI) on the SFSU campus. At the ALI, you will have opportunities to prepare for and take the TOEFL, to improve lecture listening and note-taking, oral presentation, and academic reading and writing skills, and to become oriented to the American educational system. For more information, check the ALI Web site.
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I have been admitted. Can I postpone enrollment?
Admission is only for the semester for which you were admitted. If you do not enroll that semester but wish to enroll in a subsequent semester, you must re-apply. You must submit a new application and fee (and for international students, a new financial statement). The Division of Graduate Studies keeps application documents for one year. Students re-applying should also inform our department graduate secretary.
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Questions asked by enrolled students
Can I waive prerequisite courses?
Check the Admission Decision Form included with your letter of admission to see if the prerequisites have already been waived, based on evaluation of your transcripts. If not, equivalency was not evident from examination of course titles on your transcript. To obtain a waiver, you will need to provide evidence of recent academic study that is the equivalent of one-semester, in-depth courses in English syntax (English 421), phonology and morphology (English 424), sociolinguistics (English 425), and/or second language acquisition (English 426), with grades of no lower than B-. Bring documentation (syllabi listing topics covered, textbooks used, samples of tests and papers) and consult with the faculty member who handles waivers for the particular course (on Advising Day or by appointment):
English 421 and 424: Dr. Rachelle Waksler, 338-7464 (HUM 430), rwaksler@sfsu.edu
English 425: Dr. Troi Carleton, 338-3156 (HUM 428), troi@sfsu.edu
English 426 (in Fall): Dr. H. Douglas Brown, 338-3095 (HUM 269), hdbrown@sfsu.edu
English 426 (in Spring): Dr. Tom Scovel, 338-7403 (HUM 455), tscovel@sfsu.edu
To waive upper division literature classes: Bring syllabi and see your advisor after arriving at SFSU.
If you obtain a waiver for a prerequisite course, have the advisor sign a waiver form to put in your file in the English Dept. office.
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How many courses and which courses should I take during my first semester?
In general, most M.A. TESOL students register for the following classes their first semester: English 425, English 426 and a concurrent foreign language (non-Indo European language for native speakers of English, ESL class (typically English 670) for non-native speakers of English). In addition, some full-time students may take English 421 or 424. If you complete English 425 and 426, you may take English 730 the following semester.
Students who wish to take classes during the Winter and/or Summer sessions can find out which prerequisite courses will be offered then, and plan accordingly.
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Which foreign language can I take with English 426?
Native English speakers who have never studied a non-Indo-European language before should choose a non-Indo-European language. A list of non-I-E language classes is available online at
http://www.sfsu.edu/~matesol/nonielng.html. If you have previously studied a Non-I-E language (or if you wish to postpone study of the non-I-E language to a later semester), you may choose an Indo-European language. Everyone must study a language while in 426; the requirement can NOT be waived based on previous foreign language study, because analysis and reflection on an ongoing foreign language learning experience is an essential part of English 426.
The foreign language class may be taken either on or off campus, and it may be taken pass/fail. You should register for the language class at the same time you register for your other classes. Off-campus classes sometimes begin earlier than SFSU classes, so be sure to check the starting date.
Non-native English speakers are required to take the ESL Placement Test (ESLPT) for assessment of English writing proficiency upon entry to the University. You should register for English 670, a graduate-level academic writing course, and you can use this class for the concurrent foreign language requirement for English 426. (ESLPT test results will be used to determine if you should stay in English 670 or take another course.)
If you have questions about the foreign language requirement, contact the faculty member whose English 426 section you are taking. Check the instructor’s name by searching for English 426 at the SFSU online schedule and then finding faculty contact information at the MATESOL Web site (click on “Faculty”).
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Are there any classes to improve my public speaking?
You might consider taking Speech 353 (Speech for the Classroom Teacher). If you are a non-native speaker of English, you can take Eng. 210 to work on public speaking skills, and to work on pronunciation skills, you can take Speech 350 (Spoken English) or a pronunciation class through Extended Learning.
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How can I find out when classes are scheduled?
Check the class schedule Web page: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/clssch.htm. The tentative schedule for the coming semester is also posted at our home page.
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Can I take English 426 and English 730 at the same time? Can I take English 730 and English 731/732) in the same semester?
No—these are some course combinations which are not permitted because of course prerequisites which provide the foundation for later courses (e.g., English 426 before 730, English 730 before 731). See the course sequence flowchart: Route to Graduation.
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I’d like to take a specific seminar. When is the next semester that it will be offered?
At least 2 sections of each core class (English 653, 730, 731, 732, 733, 891) are offered each semester. For each of these courses, one section is usually scheduled in the daytime, and one late/evening. We define "late classes" as classes that begin after 4:00 p.m.
Group I (Advanced TESOL) seminars rotate. A handout listing future Group I classes is available on the TESOL bulletin board and is available online.
A handout listing future Group II (Advanced Linguistics) classes is also available.
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Which classes do you recommend for fulfilling the literature prerequisite?
Each class must be upper division (numbered 300 or above) or graduate level, 3 semester units. A handout with recommended classes is distributed at the Orientation and is available online: Suggestions for M.A. TESOL Electives.
We now accept advanced foreign language literature classes to fulfill the literature prerequisite, as well as upper division American/British/post-colonial/ethnic literature written in English. Your admission letter may indicate a requirement to take literature prerequisite classes, but you can check with an advisor to see if the requirement can be waived based on other courses you have taken. (You will need to supply documentation with evidence that the course work involved literary analysis.)
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How can I get advising?
Dr. Taylor, M.A. TESOL Program Coordinator, advises prospective and newly admitted students (by e-mail, phone, and appointment):
Office: Humanities 456
Phone: (415) 338-7457
E-mail: matesol@sfsu.edu
In your first semester, you are matched with a faculty advisor, who you can consult when you would like advice on matters such as choosing courses, planning your schedule, preparing for future employment, and other issues.
Download and fill out the latest M.A. TESOL Advising Checklist before seeing your advisor. For your convenience, a long range planning worksheet is also available.
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Do I have to maintain a certain GPA?
Yes, you have to maintain a 3.0 (B) average. More information.
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Which classes can I take during the Winter and Summer sessions?
You can take prerequisite literature classes and electives for Groups I and III. English 421, 424, 731, and a Group I class are usually offered during the Summer.
Due to budget, staffing, and other factors, we are not able to offer English 425, 426, 653, 730, 732, 733, 891, or Group II courses during Summer or Winter sessions. In general, faculty believe that these classes are best taken during a regular 15-week semester, which allows more time to absorb the material and to do projects.
Check class offerings online at: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/clssch.htm. Winter enrollment is through Extended Learning; summer enrollment (for admitted students) is the same as during Fall and Spring semesters.
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Why do some M.A. TESOL students get the Composition Certificate and Reading Certificate?
The Composition and Reading Certificates link provide preparation to teach academic reading and writing (with an emphasis on teaching native speakers of English), in particular in 2-year and 4-year colleges. The extra courses may be used for the M.A. TESOL Group III and IV requirements.
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How can I find out about teaching jobs and volunteer opportunities?
Information about on- and off-campus tutoring, assisting, and teaching opportunities is announced in classes, posted on the M.A. TESOL bulletin board, and publicized through the program listserv. A list of off-campus opportunities is also available from the program coordinator.
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When is the earliest I could be a teaching intern at the ALI?
M.A. TESOL students who have completed or are in the process of completing English 731 may apply for ALI internships.
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