Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) MA

The Masters of Arts in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) at Fairleigh Dickinson University is designed for (a) international students who want to teach English outside of the United States; and (b) domestic students (i.e., US citizens and legal residents) who desire a masters degree to teach English as a second language but do not wish to pursue New Jersey K-12 teacher certification.

Admission requirements

International Students

• A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
• TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet-based) or better.
• Two letters of recommendation.

Domestic Students

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two letters of recommendation.

Student Outcomes

The MA in TESL/TEFL Program produces teaching candidates who are:

1. Qualified to teach subject matter;
2. Competent in pedagogy;
3. Caring professionals;
4. Technologically proficient;
5. Culturally responsive to the needs of diverse learners;
6. Reflective practitioners who embrace the concept of lifelong learning
7. Prepared to obtain language instructor positions in a range of contexts, both local and global.

Degree Plan

Required Courses (18 credits)

(Note: These courses also comprise the ESL specialist FDU graduate certificate)

• EDUC6584     Computer’s as a Teacher’s Aide: Curriculum and Instruction
• EDUC6574     Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers
• EDUC6631     Assessment in the Second-language Classroom
• EDUC6650     Behavioral Science for Teachers: Language and Culture (or)
• EDUC6649     Introduction to US Culture
• EDUC6654     Literacy Development for Second Language Learners
• EDUC6661     Behavioral Science for Teachers: The Multicultural Classroom

Clinical Component (4 credits)

• EDUC6635     Clinical Practice and Seminar in Language Instruction

Electives (9 credits)

MA Teaching degree (2 credits)

• EDUC7812     Final Project