Coursework
Course Requirements
| Total | 36 units | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Summer APU | ||
| TESL 503 | Language and Culture Learning | 3 |
| TESL 545 | Second-Language Pedagogy I*** | 3 |
| Term 2 Winter Abroad | ||
| TESL 505 | Second-Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TESL 530 | Intercultural Communication and Language Teaching | 3 |
| - or - | ||
| TESL 535 | Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching | 3 |
| TESL 557 | Reflective Teaching*/*** | 3 |
| Term 3 Summer APU | ||
| TESL 515 | Teaching English Grammar | 3 |
| TESL 537 | Critical Perspectives on Christianity and English Language Teaching*/** | 3 |
| TESL 550 | Second-Language Pedagogy II | 3 |
| Term 4 Winter Abroad | ||
| TESL 570 | Second-Language Assessment | 3 |
| TESL 595A | Action Research Project | 2 |
| Term 5 Summer APU | ||
| TESL 525 | Teaching English Pronunciation | 3 |
| TESL 560 | Language Program Design | 3 |
| TESL 595B | Action Research Project | 1 |
*TESL 537 and TESL 557 are online courses. In lieu of face-to-face instruction, students engage in weekly interaction with their peers and instructor online for four months.
**TESL 537 is an elective and may be replaced with a course that is transferred in from an MA/TESOL program at an accredited university.
***TESL 545 and TESL 557 are required for the TEFL Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will teachers have to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam?
No. Teachers in the field-based program are not required to take a comprehensive
exam or write a thesis. In lieu of a thesis or exam, students complete an
Action Research Project in TESL
595.
What happens if teachers can no longer teach abroad due to the loss of
finances or teaching position?
It is necessary to maintain a teaching position abroad up to the final summer
session. It is possible for teachers who have had to drop out of the program
to join the campus-based M.A./TESOL program. These students must pay the full
tuition rate. It is also possible to request and rejoin the field-based program
at a later date.
What happens if a teacher fails or withdraws from a class?
The field-based program is set up so that teachers proceed through the program
with the same cohort. If a teacher withdraws or fails a class, she or he may
join a new cohort to take the needed classes. However, classes are offered
only once a year and there is no guarantee that every class will be offered
every year. Thus, failing or withdrawing from a class would prolong the time
it takes to complete the degree. A 3.0 GPA is required to obtain an M.A. degree.
How many units can be transferred into the program?
Up to six units of related graduate course work may be transferred into the
M.A./TESOL program by petition. See the section "Transfer Credit"
in the Graduate Catalog for the specific
requirements for transfer credit.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
If no classes are dropped or repeated, it takes three years to complete the
master's degree.
Where will teachers be staying while taking classes at APU and overseas?
While taking summer classes in Azusa, California, teachers will be living
in the dorms with other colleagues enrolled in the program. The current location
in Asia is the International Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
How big are the classes?
Class size is usually between 12 and 20. When 28 teachers enroll in a class,
the cohort is divided in order to maintain the quality of care and interaction
needed in a graduate program.
What are the academic polices for withdrawal?
The APU M.A./TESOL Field-based Program adheres to the academic policies described
in the Graduate Catalog. However, due
to both the intensive and extensive nature of our program (e.g., one week of
class attendance at APU or abroad followed by six months of course work),
some grace periods have been extended.
