Applied Linguistics (MA/MS) TESOL Emphasis
Prepare for an impactful career in education, nonprofit organizations or beyond, teaching English to speakers of other languages.
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Commerce and Mesquite.
- 2 years
- 30 to 36 credit hours
- Thesis and non-thesis options available
- Foreign language credits required for MA, Optional for MS
Empower Others Through Language Learning
At East Texas A&M, our program helps you turn your passion for language into a way to foster connection and understanding. You'll explore how to teach effectively, support multilingual learners, and navigate the cultural and linguistic dynamics of today's global society.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
A master's in TESOL offers a strong foundation for roles in language instruction, curriculum design and educational support—equipping you to work with diverse learners in a global context.
Careers and Salaries
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
With a mix of cutting-edge teaching methods, real-world classroom experience and deep dives into language acquisition, you'll have the opportunity to become a catalyst for change. Our program blends language theory with practical teaching skills, preparing you for careers in language instruction and leadership.
What Will I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Technology Integration
Learn to use digital tools, apps and online platforms to enhance language instruction and student engagement.
Curriculum Design
Gain expertise in designing customized TESOL curricula that address different learning styles and proficiency levels.
Language Assessment
Learn to use modern assessment techniques to evaluate language proficiency and track student progress effectively.
Modern TESOL Methods
Master current teaching strategies to effectively instruct English learners in different classroom settings.
Taking Classes
Many courses are offered in a synchronous online format, allowing you to engage in real-time while balancing work and life. In-person options are also available for added flexibility—ideal for working professionals.
Please check the schedule of classes for locations and times. Locations and times are subject to change.
Curriculum
Our curriculum covers areas such as general linguistics, the structure of the English language, TESOL methodologies and sociolinguistics, equipping you with the skills necessary for effective language instruction.
We offer two options:
- Thesis: Requires 30 semester hours, including a thesis component, and is suitable for those interested in research or pursuing doctoral studies.
- Non-Thesis: Requires 36 semester hours and is tailored for individuals aiming to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Additionally, those pursuing a Master of Arts must fulfill a foreign language requirement, which can be satisfied through coursework or proficiency examinations. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in teaching English as a second or foreign language, both domestically and internationally.
Research Laboratory
Interested in applied linguistics research?
As a graduate student, you will have access to our Applied Linguistics Laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment, which includes:
- Accent Coach
- Computerized Speech Lab (residential students)
- Eye-tracking equipment (residential students)
Our current faculty specializes in a range of areas applicable to applied linguistics:
- Second Language Acquisition
- Prosody
- Pragmatics
- Computational Linguistics
- Pedagogical Grammar
- Humor Studies
Visit our Applied Linguistics Laboratory page for more information.
Adding Value with Certificates
A graduate certificate adds value by allowing you to specialize in key areas of education, enhance your expertise and broaden career opportunities.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate
This certificate is ideal for students who either already hold a completed graduate degree or are actively in the process of earning a graduate degree and wish to earn this certificate in conjunction with their degree. In addition to the enhanced professional status that the Certificate in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) brings, this Certificate will enable the holder to meet the 18-hour SACS requirement to teach at the College level.
Professional Advancement in English Studies Graduate Certificate
The Professional Advancement in English Studies Graduate Certificate provides students with the necessary English hours for students who wish to teach dual-credit or college-level courses in a field other than English. Students who pursue this certificate should already have a bachelor’s, master’s or PHD in a discipline other than English.
Studies in Children’s and Adolescent Literature Culture Graduate Certificate
Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Certificate and Minor
The Graduate Minor and Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies provide the opportunity for students to focus on the interdisciplinary study of issues that shape and define our understandings of masculinity, femininity and sexuality. The study of gender enhances knowledge of the global world historically and across cultures.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Lucy Pickering, Ph.D.
Faculty Staff
Salvatore Attardo, Ph.D.
Faculty
Shelby Miller, Ph.D.
Alum Faculty
Hilal Ergül, Ph.D.
Alum
Student Organizations
Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.
EGAD
EGAD (English Graduate Advancement and Development) is a student organization made up of graduate students within the Department of Literature and Language. EGAD routinely hosts get-togethers, workshops and professional development talks with faculty members. It’s a great way to meet faculty and fellow graduate students and to improve your professional endeavors!
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Accreditation
East Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admission Process
Deadlines
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Describe your preparation for graduate work and your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
- Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator, or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: May 15
Spring admission consideration: October 15
Summer admission consideration: March 15
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
To be considered for admission one of the following is required
- a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher,
- a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours, or
- an awarded master's degree with an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Describe your preparation for graduate work and your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Request one signed, and dated letter of recommendation; on official agency or organization letterhead, preferably from a past professor, college instructor, or from a professional who currently supervises the applicant or who has in the past and can attest to their academic preparedness to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $33,601USD which is less than six months old
See the Office of International Progra
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Literature and Languages
- 903.886.5260
- 903.886.5260
- [email protected]