Master of Arts in Education
TESOL

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is designed primarily for preparing teachers who will teach the English Language, as well as those who will use English as a medium of instruction, especially in bilingual or immersion settings. This emphasis focuses on the theoretical foundations of language and language learning and practical methods and techniques of language teaching, as well as providing hands-on experience in teaching English to language learners.

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 (fourpoint scale). A prospective student who does not meet the entry-level GPA requirement may be admitted under probationary status and given opportunity to meet this requirement by earning a 3.00 GPA at AIIAS during the first 12 semester hours.
2. Demonstrated English proficiency.

All students taking the TESOL emphasis are required to take one of the standard English proficiency tests prescribed by AIIAS. The minimum passing score for the test is higher than for other programs—IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. The limit of attempts in IELTS exam is up to three. The prerequisite should be accomplished before 50% of the coursework is completed.

Prerequisites

1. Adequate undergraduate preparation in education to include a minimum of 8 credits of professional education, with at least one class from each of the following four areas:
   • Philosophy of Adventist Education
   • Educational Psychology
   • Methods of Teaching
   • Testing and Evaluation
   The following courses are offered on campus as graduate level self-study modules to meet these prerequisites:
   
   • EDFN 501 Methods of Learning and Instruction (2)
   • EDFN 518 Educational Psychology (2)
   • EDFN 520 Philosophy of Adventist Education (2)
   • EDFN 525 Instructional Evaluation (2)
   In order to fulfill the prerequisite requirements, these courses must have a minimum grade of B. A student who has not met these requirements may take courses at the graduate level. The credit earned for graduate courses used as prerequisites, however, will not apply toward the MA degree.
2. Teaching experience, normally a minimum of 1 year. A letter of verification is required. Those specializing in Educational Administration are required a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. Those specializing in TESOL are waived of this prerequisite in lieu of the mandatory teaching practicum.
3. Those taking an emphasis in TESOL must have at least 10 undergraduate credits in English language (at least 4 credits of which are in addition to basic English skills courses).
4. At least one religion course (undergraduate or graduate), with a minimum grade of C, from each of the following areas:
   • Adventist Beliefs
   • Adventist History or Spirit of Prophecy
   • Biblical Studies
   The following courses are offered as graduate level self-study modules to meet these prerequisites:
   
   • CHIS 501 Spirit of Prophecy (2)
   • NTST 502 Life and Teaching of Jesus (2)
   • THST 501 Adventist Doctrines (2)

Requirements

To complete the program and be awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Education, a candidate must meet satisfactorily the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 41 semester hours of coursework, excluding the culminating phase.
2. Complete the culminating phase of the degree program in one of the following three modalities.
   • MA Project (3 semester hours.)
   • MA Thesis (6 semester hours.)
   • A comprehensive examination plus one additional elective course (3 semester hours).
3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
4. Complete Service Learning requirement.
5. Develop an e-portfolio to showcase his/her work in meeting the professional competencies.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the MA in Education includes a total of 44-47 semester hours and is configured as follows:

Core Courses	Credits
EDCI 625 Instructional Media	3
EDUC 526 Pedagogical Foundations	3
EDUC 583 Foundations of Christian Education Curriculum	3
EDUC 624 Faith and Learning in Christian Education	3
LEAD 610 Biblical Foundations of Leadership and Ethics	3
RESM 520 Academic Writing	2
Total Credits	17

 

TESOL Emphasis	Credits
EDFN 510 Teaching Practicum	3
EDTE 620 Second Language Acquisition	3
EDTE 622 TESOL Methods for Content-Area Reading and Writing	3
EDTE 528 TESOL Methods in Speaking and Listening	3
EDTE 630 Pragmatics	3
EDTE 680 Advanced Grammar for English Language Teaching	3
Total Credits	18

 

Research	Credits
RESM 610 Research Methods	3
RESM 615 Statistics	3
Total Credits	6

 

Culminating Phase	Credit
One of the following three culminating modalities:
a. MA Project EDAD/EDCI/EDTE 696 MA Project	3
b. MA Thesis EDAD/EDCI/EDTE 698 MA Thesis	6
c. A comprehensive examination and one elective course chosen in consultation with the academic advisor
Total Credits	3-6

                                                                                             

Total Semester Hours

44-47