Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language

Our Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA TESL) degree program, designed for current and future professionals in applied linguistics and TESL/TEFL, offers a balanced emphasis on theory and practice. The program is affiliated with the Center for ESL and the Graduate Interdisciplinary PhD in SLAT, and also offers an undergraduate concentration for English majors.
Our M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language program is designed for current and future professionals in teaching English as a second/foreign language, and applied linguistics. The program offers a balanced emphasis on theory, research, and practice. You'll learn the theory and practices of teaching, learning, language, the contexts of teaching and learning, and professionalism.

Admission to the MA TESL program will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Admission requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above in relevant fields (e.g. in social sciences, humanities, and education, but especially English and foreign languages). International applicants whose native language is not English need a total TOEFL score of at least 550 pbt, or 79 ibt, or an IELTS 7 (no subject below 6).
Please complete the online EAL application, and when prompted, please upload, in pdf or doc form:
Curriculum Vita (resum) or equivalent
Scans of official transcripts from each academic institution attended. Please send official transcripts to the program address below.
A two- to three-page statement of purpose. This statement should describe your teaching, leadership, and cross-cultural experiences as well as your academic and career goals.
The email addresses of two or three referrers for letters of reference. The UA Graduate School will then send them emails asking them to upload the letters. Be sure to contact each referrer beforehand and ask him/her to address, in the letter, your:
academic performance and potential,
leadership activities and potential,
teaching performance, and
cross-cultural knowledge and sensitivity.
If you are an international student, self-report TOEFL scores.
If you are interested in funding, please also:
self-report GRE scores. GRE scores are not required of applicants not interested in funding.
include a six- to ten-page writing sample on an academic topic. A writing sample is not required of applicants not interested in funding.

Required test(s):
International applicants whose native language is not English need a total TOEFL score of at least 550 pbt, or 79 ibt, or an IELTS 7 (no subject below 6).
GRE General test if you are seeking departmental funding