Graduate TESOL/Bilingual Education
Does the TESOL/Bilingual MA program require full-time or part-time study? Our MA programs can be completed either through part-time or full-time study. Full-time students can complete the program within 1.5 years or four consecutive sessions (including summer sessions). When are entering students admitted to the program? Though we offer open enrollment, we encourage our students to begin their studies in Fall or Spring semester.
Where and when are classes held? Our courses are offered on the main campus of The University of Findlay. To accommodate teachers and non-traditional working students, classes are held Monday-Thursday evenings and on Saturdays. On-line classes are blended courses, meaning that they have an on-line component and a face-to-face component.
Does the program lead to the State of Ohio certification?Teachers holding primary licensure in any state with reciprocity can elect to take our TESOL endorsement track to teach ESL in Ohio's K-12 public school systems. For primary licensure information please contact The University of Findlay’s College of Education. Teachers wishing to work in a private school system do not necessarily have to have licensure or endorsements, though they are recommended.Do all students have to fulfill an internship/student teaching requirement, and what does that entail?Only those who pursue an endorsement would have mandatory internship/student teaching; however, we recommend all students participate in one or more of our voluntary teaching/tutoring programs. Those who pursue only an MA are required to write a thesis.
What are some of the unique qualities of The University of Findlay’s TESOL/Bilingual program?Apart from a strong academic program, we offer an intimate atmosphere that allows our professors to give students individualized attention and mentoring, which we believe important to helping our students achieve their personal and professional goals.
Who are our professors?We currently have two full-time professors and several permanant adjuncts.
What are the career perspectives for TESOL professionals?TESOL is a growing field and as such the job opportunities within the field are excellent. In the State of Ohio, as well as in other states holding reciprocity with Ohio licensing procedures, TESOL is considered a “high-needs” or “critical shortage area” within public school education. English as a ‘world language’ has also increased the demand for qualified TESOL instructors willing to live and work abroad for both public and private education at all levels. On the post-secondary level, colleges and universities across the country and abroad are looking for TESOL professionals to work with English Language Learners (ELLs) to meet domestic mainstream English entrance requirements and international English entrance exams. Do I need to take the TOEFL Test?Students holding passports from English native speaking countries (such as: the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand) or who have documentation of successfully completing a university degree program from an English speaking country do not have to take the TOEFL test. All other international students need to take a TOEFL Test in one of three formats: internet-based with a minimum score of 79-80; computer-base with a minimum score of 213; or paper-based with a minimum score of 550. We will consider the Academic IELTS in place of the TOEFL with a score of 7.0 or above.
What if my TOEFL Test score is below the minimum requirements? If you score below a 79-80 on the internet-based test, a 213 on the computer-based test, or a 550 on the paper-based test, then you may be admitted provisionally to the Graduate TESOL Program if you enroll in The University of Findlay’s Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at the level your test indicates. You will remain in the IELP program until you successfully complete Level V or until you successfully obtain the appropriate TOEFL score (which is administered on campus three times a year). Once you have either completed the IELP program Level V or successfully obtain appropriate TOEFL scores you can be fully admitted into the Graduate TESOL program.
Do I need to take a GRE Test? We do not require the GRE test for our domestic or international students at this time. We do require a copy of your transcripts from your last terminal degree indicating a strong academic record with a GPA of 2.5 or above, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation to accompany your application to the Graduate TESOL program.
Where can I find more information on the TESOL profession? Ohio Department of Education Ohio TESOL TESOL, Inc. National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE) Center of Applied Linguistics (CAL)
