Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a 30-credit program which helps teachers meet the needs of students who speak limited or no English. Primarily for teachers interested in working with culturally diverse students, this program offers research-based strategies that help teachers make necessary modifications in instruction while promoting an inclusive environment. In order to add ESL licensure, the State Department of Education requires a student to have taken a minimum of six-semester hours of a second language, as well as earn a passing score on the appropriate PRAXIS II exam.

NOTE: a second language experience may be met by any one of the following:

Six semester hours in courses in a single second language
Completion of intensive language training by the Peace Corps, Foreign Service Institute, or Defense Language Institute
Placement by the language department of an accredited institution in a course appropriate for the third semester of study or beyond in a foreign language
Demonstration of second language proficiency as verified in writing by an official designated by the South Carolina State Department of Education for a language unavailable by an accredited institution

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (30 credits)

Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria

Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:

earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification

and, must submit:

a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
a copy of their current teaching certificate
two professional recommendations
official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended

Currently enrolled Furman undergraduates pursuing teaching certification, who have satisfactorily completed all senior block courses including the practicum experience, eligible to enroll in EDEP-670 Teaching Internship, may gain provisional graduate admission for study in summer session prior to the completion of the teaching internship and initial certification. Successful completion of all senior block courses is required before students will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses.

International Degree Candidates Initial Admission

Graduate Studies in Education is not available to international applicants/students because we cannot guarantee full-time enrollment or face-to-face courses in those programs.

Program Continuation

Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.

After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:

maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirement
demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Executive Director of Graduate & Evening Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission

Program Completion/Degree Audit

The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.

Program Completion/Graduation

Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam.

Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts

Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate
Acceptance/Official conference with Graduate Studies
Complete EDFD 879: Master’s Seminar in Education
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam (if applicable)
Graduation

Requirements

Two core courses (6 credits)

Four courses in the concentration area (12 credits)

EDOL 621 Sociolinguistics for English Language Learners
EDOL 640 Principles and Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners
EDOL 641 Teaching Reading and Writing to PK-12 English Language Learners
EDOL 961 Practicum: Principles and Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners *
*The practicum may be taken only after completing EDOL-641, plus either EDO-621 or EDOL-640.

Two more related courses (6 credits)

One elective course (3 credits)

EDEX 745 Social and Behavioral Interventions

and, a capstone experience (3 credits)

EDFD 879 Masters Seminar in Education *
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program.

Teacher-To-Teacher Extended Program (9 credits)

The add-on certification master’s with this concentration is limited to the students completing the bachelor’s degree at Furman enrolled in the five-year extended program.