About the Program

The Master of Arts in TESOL is primarily designed for those intending to teach English to adult learners, either in U.S. colleges, in conjunction with community groups, or by working abroad.

Competencies

1. Upon completion, MA linguistics graduates will be able to discuss fundamental concepts in their areas of specialization clearly and coherently.
2. Upon completion, MA linguistics graduates will be able to demonstrate mastery of how to set up a research project in linguistics.
3. Upon completion, MA linguistics graduates will be able to successfully describe a research project that meets basic methodological standards in the discipline.
4. Upon completion, MA linguistics graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the structural properties of language at the sound, word, sentence, and meaning levels.
5. Upon completion, MA linguistics graduates will be able to collect language data for a project, drawing from common sources in the discipline (e.g., via interactions with relevant speakers or the use of online tools to query language corpora).

Admissions Requirements

In evaluating candidates for admissions to its graduate degree programs, the Linguistics & TESOL faculty have adopted a comprehensive approach that is sensitive to the diversity of backgrounds of its applicants. To this end, the following constellation of quantitative and qualitative factors has been established to make explicit the range of criteria upon which admissions decisions will be based. These factors are then applied to the Admission Metrics established for each degree program.

Admission Factors

All TESOL MA students must demonstrate knowledge of a foreign language prior to unconditional admission to the degree program. Those without such background may pursue study of a foreign language at UT Arlington concurrent with probationary enrollment in the TESOL MA program.

Admission decisions into a degree program in the Department of Linguistics & TESOL are made on the basis of two types of factors, quantitative and qualitative.

1. Quantitative Factors
   1. Grade Point Average (GPA). For MA program applicants, undergraduate GPA is determined by the U.T. Arlington Graduate School.
   2. TOEFL Scores (international applications only). Applicants for whom English is not their native language and who have not been granted either an undergraduate or graduate degree by an English-medium institution must also present a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS equivalent score. There are no exceptions.
   3. Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The GRE is no longer a requirement for applicants to the MA TESOL graduate program. Effective for applicants seeking admission in Fall 2025 or in subsequent terms, the MA TESOL graduate program will not consider GRE scores when making admissions decisions. It is therefore unnecessary to take the GRE or report scores to apply for admission.
2. Qualitative Factors
   1. Letters of Recommendation. Each applicant must present three (3) letters of recommendation that unequivocally indicate that the applicant is prepared for and capable of successful graduate study in linguistics or TESOL at UT Arlington. The letters should further indicate that the applicant is capable of completing the appropriate degree program.
   2. Statement of intent for academic study in our department. Each applicant must write a statement that explains their plan of study and specialization in our department. The statement will be evaluated on the degree to which it is clear, reasonable, and consistent with the research and teaching agenda of the current faculty in Linguistics & TESOL at UT Arlington. The statement should also convey a level of commitment and maturity commensurate with the applicant’s desired degree goals.
   3. Undergraduate Preparation. Applicants to the MA in TESOL program should have passed the following three courses or reasonable equivalents as determined by the TESOL graduate advisor (UT Arlington equivalents are noted in parentheses):
      1. English composition (ENGL 1302)
      2. A course on English-language literature (ENGL 2319, ENGL 2329)
      3. The equivalent of a fourth-semester course in a foreign language (SPAN 2314, FREN 2314, etc.). Students whose undergraduate education was delivered in a language other than English are exempt from this requirement.
   4. Writing Sample (required for PhD applicants, optional for MA programs): Applicants must submit an academic writing sample (research paper) of 20 pages or less. The paper must be in an area of language, teaching, or linguistic study, and demonstrate a strong prose style, a solid handle on argumentation, and the ability to do academic research in linguistics or a closely related field.

Admission Metrics

In formulating a recommendation for admission, the graduate advisors will apply the following admission metrics to each applicant’s admission dossier.

Unconditional Admission

Typically, applicants for the TESOL MA will be offered unconditional admission if they meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant presents an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
2. In addition, applicants for whom English is not their native language and who have not been granted an undergraduate degree by an English-medium institution must also present a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 100 iBt or IELTS equivalent score.

Probationary Admission

Applicants for the MA in TESOL typically present a complete application that has the following:

1. lacks the undergraduate preparation specified above but who otherwise meet the remaining admission criteria (including an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0), will be eligible for probationary admission. Students on probation must:
   • complete any undergraduate courses necessary for unconditional admission during their first two semesters of study; and
   • achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 in the first 9 graduate-level courses taken as TESOL MA student.

Curriculum

Foundations
Linguistics Core
LING 5309	LINGUISTICS FOR LANGUAGE PROFESSIONALS	3
LING 5305	SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION	3
TESOL Core
LING 5301	INTRO TO COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING	3
LING 5302	METHODS IN TEACHING READING AND WRITING	3
LING 5304	PEDAGOGICAL GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH	3
or LING 5307	PEDAGOGICAL PHONOLOGY OF ENGLISH
LING 5315	READINGS AND RESEARCH IN PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICE	3
or LING 5308	LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
or LING 5318	APPLIED PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
LING 5316	TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY	3
or LING 5310	SOCIOLINGUISTICS
or LING 5326	BILINGUALISM
LING 5393	TESOL TEACHING AND OBSERVATION	3
Electives
Select four additional courses. 1		12
Total Hours		36

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Up to 2 elective courses (6 credits) may be taken from another department. Please consult your TESOL MA advisor before selecting electives.

For additional information regarding prerequisites or degree requirements, consult the TESOL graduate advisor.

Program Completion

In addition to 36 hours of graduate-level coursework, the TESOL MA requires a comprehensive examination on that coursework.

Advising Resources

​Students are highly encouraged to meet regularly with their assigned advisor—at least once per semester and before enrolling in classes—to ensure steady academic progress, identify new opportunities, and align their coursework with their long-term career goals.

Location:

530 University Hall

Email:

ling.advisor@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-3133

Web:

Meet our advisors