Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Certificate of Advanced Study

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The Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) is designed to meet the needs of classroom teachers, administrators, and other educators who want to pursue advanced graduate study in ESL and related areas. The CAS requires thirty credit hours of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree, including a capstone experience. Students may design a program to suit their needs for advanced study. The program will vary depending on the master’s degree focus and the goals of the student. Participants will have considerable choice in designing coursework and projects and will work closely with a faculty advisor. Maine endorsement as an ESOL teacher, PreK-12, may be earned through the CAS with careful program of study planning. Please consult your advisor upon admission for details.

Program Requirements

Total Credits: 30

For specific requirements please see the TESOL website.

Electives (27 credits):

With advisor consultation, students may select graduate courses in education or other disciplines that relate to their focus in ESL and contribute to their overall plan of study.

Required (3 credits):

EDU 661 - Literacy, Language, and Culture Capstone

Grade Requirements

Graduate students must receive a grade of “B-” or higher in all courses to be successful in Literacy Education and TESOL programs.
If the above grade requirements are not met, students may be required to repeat the course.
Additionally, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00.

Transfer Credit Policy

Previously completed graduate courses may be approved for transfer into a graduate program within the literacy education program if credits for the courses were earned no more than five years prior to matriculation, with grades of B or better.

For previous work completed through the University of Maine System, up to twelve credits may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study. Up to six graduate credits completed at institutions outside of the University of Maine System may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study. A syllabus for each course submitted for transfer credit from outside the University of Maine System must be provided upon application.

Transfer of more than twelve University of Maine System credits or six non-University of Maine System credits may be approved by the program coordinator and faculty. These credits may include a certificate of graduate study program courses and professional development in-service graduate courses. Requests for the transfer of credits taken more than five years prior to matriculation may also be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator and faculty.