Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Please note: as Clarkson University focuses on its industry relevant education, innovation and research, we have partnered with Siena College to offer these programs later in 2024. Please visit Siena's website for more information.
Gain Classroom Experience Before You Graduate
Learn new tools for teaching multilingual learners, and apply those skills to the classroom while earning your degree. The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) sets you up for success as an educator, thanks to our in-depth residency experience. Whether you are new to the field for initial certification or are seeking a master’s degree and professional certification with a TESOL specialization, this MAT program will help you reach your goals.
Why Earn an MAT With an ESOL Specialization From Clarkson?
We have designed the curriculum to fit the busy schedules of educators like yourself. The MATESOL program is completely online, in an asynchronous format, and can be completed in one year. That means you can benefit from a Clarkson education from any location in the U.S. and take courses around existing obligations.
The Clarkson MATESOL program has been designated as a Clinically Rich Intensive Teaching Institute by the NYS Education Department. This means we have demonstrated a commitment to providing a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on practical experience in NYS schools through our required fieldwork and teaching residency. This will offer the real-world preparation you need to become a proven and resourceful educator. As a result, graduates of the program have a 100-percent job placement rate and a 100-percent pass rate on the NYSTCE ESOL Content Specialty Test.
Several of our students, faculty and supervisors have been recognized by NYS TESOL and the National Center for Teacher Residencies with awards for their excellence, including the James E. Weaver Award and the Baecher Teacher Leadership Award.
Our faculty combine their pedagogical expertise and K-12 experience to enhance lectures and classroom discussions. These factors collectively foster an encouraging and nurturing learning environment to help you reach the next stage in your career.
What You'll Learn
The MAT ESOL program consists of 39 credit hours. In addition to field experience, teaching residencies and a graduation project, you will take courses like:
Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL
Effective Teaching for All Learners
English Grammar for the ENL Teacher
English Linguistics
Foundations of Teaching ESOL
NY State Teacher Requirements
The Modern Teacher
Every member of the Education Department faculty has secondary teaching experience. Students are successful, in part, because they receive extensive mentorship and support from teachers who bring advanced teaching skills and extensive classroom experience to the program.
MAT ESOL Curriculum
Prerequisites (No Credits):
ED500: Field Experience — four days of structured observation in secondary schools. Can be organized by the CRC Department of Education coordinator Nicki Foley; please call 518-631-9870.
A bachelor’s degree and 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
An undergraduate liberal arts core, including courses in humanities/the arts, writing/communication, social sciences and STEM.
Educational psychology — undergraduate course or Clarkson’s CRC Department of Education exam.
MAT ESOL graduate candidates complete a half-day, year-long residency, taking full responsibility for at least two classes. One semester of the residency will be in grades K-6, and the other in grades 7-12, providing a well-rounded experience. Students will be interviewed at the site(s) where they expect to complete their residency. Entrance into the teaching residency portion of the program is contingent upon completing TE513 and TE540 with minimum grades of B, as well as permission from the chair.
Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL Curriculum
Prerequisites (No Credits):
Current New York State initial certification in another discipline.
A bachelor’s degree and 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
Courses (16 Credits):
TE501 TESOL CAS Residency (includes 35-50 hours of field experience) (1 credit)
TE513 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
TE517 TESOL Teaching Methods (includes 60 hours or 10 days of practicum) (3 credits)
TE530 English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3 credits)
TE531 TESOL English Linguistics (3 credits)
TE542 TESOL Literacy (includes 60 hours or 10 days of practicum) (3 credits)
The hallmark of our program is the full-year teaching experience. All MAT ESOL students complete an intensive summer online program with a fieldwork component. This is designed to prepare you for the year-long residency. One semester of the residency will be spent teaching grades K-6 and the other teaching grades 7-12, providing a well-rounded experience. With the help of your advisor, you will plan your residency based on career goals and location.
To apply to the MAT program, you must meet the following criteria:
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
A bachelor's degree with 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
An undergraduate liberal arts core, including courses in humanities and the arts, writing and communication, the social sciences and STEM.
An undergraduate course in educational psychology or passing Clarkson's CRC Department of Education exam.
MAT ESOL
A complete application file consists of the following:
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in TESOL
The Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL is ideal for current NYS teachers seeking an additional certification in ESOL. Prerequisites for this program include:
Hold a valid K-12 NYS Professional Teaching Certification.
Official transcripts that include 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English
Have earned an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
A complete application file consists of the following:
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.
Proof of current NYS professional certification in another discipline.
In-person or virtual interview.
Deadlines
For students applying with a desired summer start date, completed applications must be received by April 1. For students applying with a desired fall start date, applications are due by July 1. For students applying with a desired spring start date, completed applications must be received by Nov 1. For both the CAS and MAT ESOL, the one-year program begins in the summer.
Early and on-time applicants will receive preferential review for scholarship opportunities.
Late applicants will be considered for acceptance and scholarships based on availability.
We offer a wide array of grants and scholarships to help you pay for school, including program-specific assistance. Our TESOL programs are also supported by the New York State Department of Education's Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute Grant. Early and on-time applicants will receive preferential review for scholarship opportunities. Late applicants will be considered for acceptance and scholarships based on availability.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, the Teacher Education Accreditation Council and the New York State Education Department.
Clarkson University is also a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The following programs have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2026:
New York State is in dire need of teachers certified to teach ESOL. New York may need to hire 180,000 new teachers by 2027, according to education thought leader and former SUNY Chancellor Emeritus Nancy Zimpher. With the extraordinary growth of English language learning students, teaching positions throughout New York State are going unfilled, because schools cannot find certified teachers to hire.
The Master of Arts in Teaching with an ESOL certification will allow you to be part of a much-needed change. When you graduate, you will be able to:
Earn NYS certification for ESOL.
Enjoy more employment flexibility and security.
Teach multilingual learners in a variety of K-12 educational settings.
Change new directions as an educator.
Recent Employers
In recent years, 100-percent of program graduates have gone on to full-time employment and have found positions among schools like:
Interested in learning more about the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages? Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions today with your questions.
As the recipient of a $2.52 million 2021 National Professional Development (NPD) project grant, Clarkson established a research and development project called the Advancing Language and Literacy for English Learners (ALL4ELs). Over the course of five years, we will engage four cohorts of in-service teachers, school leaders and pre-service teachers as TESOL Scholars.
Help broaden the possibilities of multilingual learners. You'll be fully prepared to teach and ready to inspire and influence students in ways that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
