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Program of Study - English as a Second Language (MA)

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in English as a second language, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours. If applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA criterion, GRE general test with minimum scores of 153 Verbal, and 4.0 Analytical are required for conditional admission
  3. Letter of intent demonstrating interest in the program and articulation of goals
  4. Resume including education and work experience
  5. English language ability will be judged on the resume and submitted letter of intent; therefore, applications should be certain to use appropriate, formal academic English
  6. Non-native English speakers who did not graduate from an English-medium high school and university must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Choose one of the following options:

Thesis Option

Required Courses (27 Credits)
ENGL 6360Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers

3
ENGL 6361Problems in Linguistics

3
ENGL 6362Modern English Syntax

3
ENGL 6363Studies in English Phonology

3
ENGL 6370Introduction to English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6371Problems in English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6372Practicum in English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6373ESL Testing

3
ENGL 6375Studies in Language and Culture

3

ENGL 6361: thesis students must select Research Design as the topic for this course

Designated English Electives (3 Credits)

Chosen from English Language courses or other English courses as approved by the MAESL advisor

Capstone Requirement
Thesis (6 Credits)
ENGL 7300Thesis I

3
ENGL 7301Thesis II

3
Written Comprehensive Exam
Portfolio Submission
Exit Interview

3

Non-Thesis Option

Required Courses (27)
ENGL 6360Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers

3
ENGL 6361Problems in Linguistics

3
ENGL 6362Modern English Syntax

3
ENGL 6363Studies in English Phonology

3
ENGL 6370Introduction to English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6371Problems in English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6372Practicum in English as a Second Language

3
ENGL 6373ESL Testing

3
ENGL 6375Studies in Language and Culture

3

ENGL 6361: any scheduled topic is acceptable

Designated English Electives (6 Credits)

Chosen from English Language courses or other English courses as approved by the MAESL advisor

Free Electives (3 Credits)

Open electives with advisor approval

Capstone Requirement

Written Comprehensive Exam

Portfolio Submission

Exit Interview

Total Credit Hours: 36