M.S. TESOL and M.E. TEFL Online Information Session

TESOL Application Checklist (.pdf)

The M.S. TESOL qualifies graduates to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The program is open to both experienced and prospective language educators, both domestic and international, who wish to start or upgrade their ESL or EFL career in the U.S. or abroad. It is flexibly designed to accommodate the specific needs of each student and their varying career objectives while offering maximum interaction among a multilingual student population. Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 units.

Graduates of the program become teachers, curriculum specialists or administrators in ESL/EFL programs, mainly at the secondary, adult and college levels, both in the United States and abroad.

The general GRE is required as part of the application process for this program.  GRE scores at or above 1000 will be most competitive.  Our target GPA is 3.0 or above.  International applicants must also submit a current TOEFL score.  TOEFL scores at or above 100 iBT or 250 CBT are most competitive.  Admitted students with TOEFL scores below 100 iBT or 250 CBT will be required to take the ISE exam upon arrival at USC.  To view all application requirements, click on the TESOL Application Checklist pdf at the top of this page.  For information on the ISE exam, visit the American Language Institute’s (ALI) website:  http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/ALI/index.html.

Faculty Lead:	Robert Filback, Ph.D.
	Assistant Professor of Clinical Education
	filback@usc.edu

Distinctive Features:  

• Prepares teachers for domestic and international teaching
• Integration of theory and practice
• Variety of methodology courses with a focus on practical aspect of teaching (pronunciation, grammar, and reading)
• Teaching practicum- students observe and teach classes under the supervision of an experienced educator

Career Options:  

• Teachers in elementary schools, secondary schools, and colleges
• Curriculum specialists in secondary schools and other educational institutions
• Administrators in ESL/EFL programs
• U.S. teachers in American and International schools abroad
• Students in doctoral programs in the U.S.
• Leaders of new private schools in home country
• Consultants to government and Ministries of Education

Program of Study: 33 Units

Fall First Year

EDHP 510	Introduction to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (3)
EDHP 519	Applied Linguistics: Teaching English Grammar (3)
Elective (3)

Spring First Year

EDHP 518	Applied Linguistics: Teaching American English Pronunciation (3)
EDHP 521	Course Design for Language Learning (3)
Elective (3)

Fall Second Year

EDHP 511	Applied Linguistics: Discourse Analysis (3)
EDUC 527	Assessment in the Language Classroom (2)
EDHP 593a	Master’s Seminar OR
EDHP 594a	Master’s Thesis (2)

Spring Second Year

EDHP 593b	Master’s Seminar OR
EDHP 594b	Master’s Thesis (2)
EDHP 588	Practicum in Second Language Teaching (3)
Elective (3)

Elective Courses (Students may select from the following list):

EDHP 502	Administration of Higher Education (3)
EDUC 537	Methods in Bilingual Education and in Teaching English as a Second Language
EDHP 585a	English for Academic Purposes (if below 100/250 TOEFL) (3)
EDHP 585b	English for Academic Purposes (if below 100/250 TOEFL) (3)
EDHP 586	Applied Linguistics: Teaching Reading and Writing in a Second Language for the Literate Student (3)
EDPT 510	Human Learning (3)
EDUC 409	Foundations of Language Education (3)
EDUC 503	Teaching and Learning in U.S. Schools (3)
EDUC 538	Curricula and Cultural Pluralism (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions Contact:  Office of Recruiting and Admissions, soeinfo@usc.edu, 213-740-0224.  Waite Phillips Hall, Suite 800

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