Each fall, the MA TESOL program enrolls approximately 10-15 new students who come from around the United States and other parts of the world. Applicants should have a four-year degree and a strong undergraduate record, particularly in courses taken during the last two years of study. It is advisable for students to have taken some coursework in a related field as an undergraduate, but it is not required.

For additional information, please see the FAQ’s Page.

General Information:

  1. Applications to the MA TESOL program are submitted online. Note: The application form will ask you if you are interested in a graduate assistantship. Applicants who are accepted by the TESOL program and are interested in an assistantship will be considered for opportunities that may become available within the Department of Linguistics and Languages but these opportunities are very limited.
  2. Students are generally only admitted for the fall semester, but if you wish to start in the spring semester, please contact the TESOL Director. No funding is available to students starting in the spring.
  3. Applicants must have their materials submitted by December 8, 2023 to be considered for any funding, including those who plan to apply for a teaching assistantship with the English Language Center.  The deadline for other applications is April 15.
  4. There is no provisional or conditional admission.
  5. Below you will find links for domestic students and international students. You will be asked for a 500-700 statement of purpose as well as three names for letters of reference. You may start the application even if these materials are not ready.
  6. International students do not need to take the GRE but instead need to submit proof of English proficiency.

English Language Proficiency:

All applicants whose first language is not English, even those with a degree from an English-language institution, must provide English language competency scores. Please see MSU Admission’s site for more information https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/international/language-requirements

Application Procedure:

If you have any questions, please contact the program director: Peter De Costa.

Please click here to begin your application