The Master of Arts in Teaching International Languages

The MA in Teaching International Languages promotes the study of languages and cultures as an integral part of a world class education in a global society. Course work focuses on linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical knowledge and its applications in teaching foreign languages and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). The program prepares professionals for a broad spectrum of cultural contexts and instructional settings in the United States and abroad.

This degree is offered by the School of Education as a 36-unit interdisciplinary program for graduate students interested in the effective teaching and learning of international languages. By integrating course work from Education, English, and International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures with offerings from international studies and other related areas, this interdisciplinary degree encompasses studies in linguistics, composition, literature, language, culture, and foreign/second language education. The program promotes the development of knowledgeable, reflective, inquiry-oriented professionals prepared to teach foreign languages (including English as a foreign language), and English as a second language to adolescent and adult learners so that students from all nations can fully participate in the multilingual, interdependent communities of the twenty-first century. Required courses and electives provide the theoretical and practical foundations essential for foreign language teachers, foreign/second language college and university instructors, and other professionals teaching world languages. It is also ideal for educators interested in National Board Certification specific to English as a New Language and World Languages.

Foundation Courses

ENGL 371, Principles of Language, is a prerequisite for all students. ENGL 375, Introduction to English Grammar, is a prerequisite for some of the courses listed in Language Studies Pattern A, and is strongly recommended for all students within that pattern.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 36 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within seven years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. Candidates with a foreign language emphasis are expected to hold an appropriate degree or credential, or to demonstrate comparable proficiency in the target language as assessed by the International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department.

2. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in "Admission to Master's Degree Programs."

3. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in the last 30 units, and 2.75 in the last 60 units.

4. Approval by the Teaching International Languages Program and the Office of Graduate Studies. Students admitted to conditionally classified status must also file an approved, preliminary program plan with the Graduate Coordinator and request advancement to classified status upon completion of 6 units of the proposed program.

5. A minimum TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based exam; 213 on the computer-based TOEFL; 80 on the internet-based test; or a band score of 6.5 on the IELTS.

6. Course prerequisites.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

1. In place of the third requirement above: an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 units. Students admitted to classified status must also file an approved, preliminary program plan with the Graduate Coordinator.

2. All other conditions listed under Admission to Conditionally Classified Status.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing.

2. Completion of 9 units of the proposed program at the University.

3. An approved master's degree program plan developed in consultation with the graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

4. Request for advancement to candidacy.

Requirements for the MA in Teaching International Languages:

Completion of all requirements established by the program's Advisory Board, the student's graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 36 units of 400/500/600-level courses.

(a) The common core of course work (12 units), language studies (12 units), cultural studies (6 units), research (3 units), and master's study (3 units).

(b) At least 60 percent of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.

(c) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework may be counted toward the degree requirements. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.)

(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(e) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P; not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P).

(f) Completion of required course work and approved electives.

2. Core requirements:

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

In addition to the practicum experiences required in ENGL 470 and EDSL 610, students entering the program without teaching experience must demonstrate experience prior to graduation through one or more of several options: a professional field experience (EDCI 689); internship courses offered by different departments (e.g., SPAN 689); teaching experience as an instructor with the American Language and Culture Immersion (ALCI Chico) on campus; as an instructor in other University programs (e.g., English or Foreign Languages and Literatures) or at the community college level (e.g., Butte College, Shasta College, Yuba College); teaching experience overseas; or by other appropriate means.

3. The language studies component consists of 12 units of electives within one of two patterns. Pattern A is a TESOL: English as a Second Language to adult learners/English as a Foreign Language emphasis and Pattern B is a Foreign Language emphasis. In consultation with a graduate advisor, students will choose an area of emphasis consistent with the target language they teach.

Pattern A

For the TESOL: English as a Second Language for adolescent and adult learners/English as a Foreign Language Emphasis, students choose from the following courses:

12 units selected from:

Note: ENGL 375, a foundation course, is strongly recommended for all students in Pattern A.

Pattern B

For the Foreign Language Emphasis, students select 12 units of 400/500/600-level course work in linguistics, language, literature and/or culture taught in the target language. Selections should consist primarily of courses taught in the target language (e.g., French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish). Candidates are expected to hold an appropriate degree or credential, or to possess comparable proficiency in the target language as assessed by the International Languages. Literatures, and Cultures Department. Candidates may also select from English Department offerings in linguistics, as appropriate.

4. The cultural studies component consists of 6 units of 400/500/600-level courses selected from the humanities and social sciences, from education and marketing, and from offerings in international studies. In consultation with a graduate advisor, students will choose course work consistent with the target language and culture they teach. Examples of possible choices for students in both patterns include:

Note: EDSL 633 is required for Pattern A and the Graduate TESOL Certificate.

Note: EDCI 689 is required for the Graduate TESOL Certificate.

5. The research and master's study component consists of a foreign/second language research course and 3 units of master's study or comprehensive examination. Other graduate research courses consistent with special student interests may be substituted with approval. The culminating activity will consist of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination.

Research Course

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Other approved research methods course.

Culminating Activity

Students enroll in Master's Project or Master's Thesis units from the home department of their graduate advisory committee chair (e.g., EDMA 699P or EDMA 699T, ENGL 699P or ENGL 699T, SPAN 699P or SPAN 699T). Any 699 course normally must be taken for 3 units.

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Select EDSL 696 if the culminating activity is a comprehensive examination.

(a) Thesis or Project Plan. Requires completion and final approval of a thesis or project for 3 units (699T or 699P), plus at least 33 units of approved course work.

A proposal for the thesis or project must be submitted to and approved by the graduate advisory committee before the student may enroll in the thesis or project units. When human subjects approval is required, clearance must be secured before the proposal is filed.

An oral defense shall be conducted by the candidate's graduate advisory committee.

Approval by the graduate advisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies is required.

(b) Comprehensive Examination Plan. Requires completion of 3 units of Comprehensive Examination (EDSL 696) in preparation for a nine-hour written comprehensive examination, with oral review, covering each of the program areas, plus at least 33 units of approved course work.

The graduate advisory committee will prepare, administer, and evaluate the comprehensive examination.

Each examination shall be graded as honors, pass, or fail.

All parts of the comprehensive examination must receive a grade of pass. The candidate may repeat each part of the examination once.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Students in the program will demonstrate their writing proficiency by submitting an acceptable Justification Statement with the application to the program. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for further information.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Once the master's degree program plan has been developed and approved, advising is recommended but not mandatory each semester. For further information, consult the Graduate Coordinator.