Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (Graduate Certificate)

Dr. Kipton Smilie, Program Director
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-5952
missouriwestern.edu/education/TESOL

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program options are designed to meet needs of the following professionals:

• Current and future educators, who want to effectively teach English in a wide variety of settings, including: PreK-12 diverse classrooms, adult language programs, businesses, community colleges, and international schools
• Speech/language pathologists and school psychologists, who desire additional information to assist them to better distinguish language differences from language delay and language impairment
• School administrators, who are interested in creating or improving English as a Second Language programs in their school or district
• Current or future educational policy makers, who wish to enhance their understanding of the unique needs of the English learner and the most up-to-date research in second language acquisition

The need for knowledgeable and effective teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is growing, both nationally and internationally. In addition to learning how to advocate for effective and responsive education for English learners from diverse communities, graduate students should gain the following from coursework in the TESOL programs:

• A deep understanding of the challenges faced by English learners
• Specific skills and knowledge needed to successfully teach English learners
• Experience teaching and interacting with linguistically and culturally diverse communities
• Training in analytical and critical thinking methods
• Professional licensure (for the State of Missouri and reciprocal licensure states) in TESOL education (optional)

Admission Requirements

Admission to any of the graduate programs in TESOL requires meeting all qualifications for acceptance to the Missouri Western State University Graduate School.

• Submission of application for admission to the MWSU Graduate School.
• Completion of an undergraduate degree in education, or a closely related discipline, from an accredited undergraduate institution.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
• Statement of Purpose: A one-page narrative, which describes his/her purpose for seeking admission to a graduate program, as well as what he/she hopes to gain from the experience.
• The GRE is not required.

Students who are accepted to this program will have no more than 3 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

For Students Seeking the Graduate Certificate Only, but not State of Missouri Licensure

¹

In addition to the courses listed below, students will be required to take an Orientation Workshop (EDU 500).

For Students Seeking the Graduate Certificate and State of Missouri Licensure

¹

In addition to the courses listed below, students will be required to take an Orientation Workshop (EDU 500).

²

TSL 665 Practicum in ELL: Elementary and TSL 667 Practicum in ELL: Secondary require prerequisites of EDU 311 Secondary Reading Techniques, EDU 315 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child and EDU 430 Teaching Students with Reading Deficits or EDU 521 Teaching Students with Reading Deficits.

NOTE: In addition to the courses listed above, students will be required to take an Orientation Workshop (EDU 500).

Program Graduation Requirement

1. Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.

University Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactorily complete all required coursework in the program;
2. Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours.