Initial Teacher Preparation Programs:

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MSEd)

Department of Language, Learning, and Leadership

Overview, Description and Purpose of Program

Housed in the College of Education and the Department of Language, Learning, and Leadership, the Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed), TESOL K-12 degree program is a graduate-level program designed for both in-service and pre-service teachers. The M.S.Ed, TESOL K-12 program leads to initial and/or professional certification in TESOL K-12, depending upon the credentials with which the candidate enters this program. The TESOL K-12 degree program has options for two distinct groups of candidates:

1. Option 1 (for candidates with a current NYS teacher certificate) Appropriate for candidates who have a baccalaureate degree and current New York State teacher certification in a core content area. These candidates must complete the 36-credit-hour program leading to the M.S.Ed. in TESOL. Note: New York State also requires proof of successful completion of at least 12 post-secondary credit hours of study in a language other than English (LOTE) for ESOL certification.
2. Option 2 (for candidates without a current NYS teacher certificate) Appropriate for candidates who have a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree in a core content area but do not have current New York State teacher certification. These candidates must complete the 36 hour program leading to the MSEd in TESOL and must also complete coursework to compensate for deficiencies in prior preparation in the areas of Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours), Educational Psychology (3 credit hours), Special Education (3 credit hours, with field experience), Child Abuse Detection & Reporting (wkshp/1 credit hour); Tobacco, Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention (wkshp/1 credit hour), and Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE)/Fire Safety & Arson Prevention (wkshp/1 credit hour). NOTE: New York State also requires proof of successful completion of at least 12 post-secondary credit hours of study in a language other than English (LOTE) for ESOL certification.

The M.S.Ed, TESOL K-12 degree program shares The Responsive Educator Program conceptual framework of the College of Education comprised of Planning, Instructing, Reflecting, and Responding (PIRR). It provides a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and dispositions upon which candidates can build and grow professionally.

Upon graduation, TESOL candidates are expected to be skilled in the recursive process (PIRR) that characterizes highly effective educators and adept in its application. Equally, they are expected to possess a sound professional knowledge base of general knowledge which enhances their ability to plan, instruct, reflect, and respond through appropriate assessment of students needed for the effective educations of ELL learners of various linguistic and cultural backgrounds; acquire knowledge of the history, politics, pedagogy, and critical issues related to TESOL and Bilingual Education programs; have knowledge of basic educational research, English language, (psycho-/socio-)linguistics, CALL and multimedia technology, and second language acquisition and pedagogy germane to the effective education of ELL learners.

TESOL Candidates are expected to apply the professional knowledge and skills they have acquired at SUNY-Fredonia and demonstrate competence and proficiency in effective instruction of ELL learners during student teaching as well as demonstrating competence and proficiency in conducting in-depth empirical and/or curriculum-related research. In addition, all candidates are expected to display dispositions which promote professional growth and development and adhere to the highest professional standards. Finally, all TESOL graduates are expected to be instructionally diverse, culturally responsive, and technologically proficient educators.

Requirements for Admission to SUNY Fredonia’s TESOL Program (Option 1)

The requirements for admission to SUNY Fredonia’s TESOL program without deficiencies are:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in an area of arts, science, or education.
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
• Current NYS Teaching Certificate
• Completed Graduate Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, including two current (within six months) letters of recommendation, and official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions (except SUNY Fredonia).
• Language Proficiency Requirements
  • for Native Speakers of English:
    • A graduate-level 250-word essay in English on a topic of the writer's choice.
    • 12 post-secondary credit hours in a Language Other than English (LOTE), or an approved equivalency, in a single language.
    • A satisfactory intermediate-level 250-word essay in a language other than English (LOTE). Candidates may be accepted conditionally into the TESOL program without the LOTE essay. Matriculation into the TESOL program is contingent upon the satisfactory evaluation of this essay.
  • for non-Native Speakers of English:
    • A graduate-level 250-word essay in English on a topic of the writer's choice.
    • A graduate level 250-word essay in the candidate's native language.

Requirements for Admission to SUNY Fredonia’s TESOL Program (Option 1)

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in an area of arts, science, or education.
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
• Completed Graduate Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, including two current (within six months) letters of recommendation, and official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate institutions (except SUNY Fredonia).
• Language Proficiency Requirements
  • for Native Speakers of English:
    • A graduate-level 250-word essay in English on a topic of the writer's choice.
    • 12 post-secondary credit hours in a Language Other than English (LOTE), or an approved equivalency, in a single language.
    • A satisfactory intermediate-level 250-word essay in a language other than English (LOTE). Candidates may be accepted conditionally into the TESOL program without the LOTE essay. Matriculation into the TESOL program is contingent upon the satisfactory evaluation of this essay.
  • for non-Native Speakers of English:
    • A graduate-level 250-word essay in English on a topic of the writer's choice.
    • A graduate level 250-word essay in the candidate's native language.