With a 30-year history of success, the Clarkson Department of Education offers the tools needed to be a successful classroom teacher.

Make a difference in young lives by using your degree to teach and inspire future generations. Our graduates consistently have a success rate exceeding 90 percent on the rigorous New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and a job placement rate of 100 percent (2016-2021). Students graduate with confidence and hands-on experience in the classroom, placing them among the most qualified and sought-after teachers in the field.

The Clarkson online Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MAT ESOL) program provides candidates with a full 39-credit master’s degree in the discipline. Coursework is offered completely online to accommodate busy schedules. This degree was created for aspiring teachers who want to work with English language learners. Candidates who complete this degree successfully will receive Clarkson’s endorsement of the candidate for initial/professional pre-K-12 certification in TESOL.

For teachers already practicing in the classroom who are interested in acquiring a second certification, we also offer a 16-credit online certificate of advanced study (CAS) in TESOL pathway. This certificate will provide added skills and value to your overall teaching portfolio, ensuring more flexibility and security in the job market and allowing schools to forgo putting a second teacher in a classroom with English language learners. Candidates who complete this certificate successfully will receive Clarkson’s endorsement of the candidate for initial certification in TESOL.

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New York State Department of Education Grant

Clarkson's TESOL programs are supported by the New York State Department of Education's Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute Grant. Qualified students may be eligible for tuition assistance. The unique program design allows students the flexibility to take courses online while receiving support through a full-year mentored residency. 

TESOL Curriculum

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The MAT ESOL program at Clarkson is 39 credit hours, with completely online coursework. Students can complete the program in as little as one year or spread their studies out. Because each semester’s course offerings differ, program completion times may vary.  Students who begin in the summer term (mid-May) can complete the degree within 12 months. Students starting in the spring semester (second week of January) can complete the degree within 18 months. Those who start the program in the fall semester (last week of August) may complete the degree in 22 months.

TESOL Curriculum

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.

    Courses (39 Credits):

    • TE501 Teaching Practicum (2 credits)
    • ED502 NY State Teacher Requirements (1 credit)
    • TE513 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
    • TE517 TESOL Teaching Methods (includes 20 hours of field experience) (3 credits)
    • TE542 TESOL Literacy (includes 20 hours of field experience) (3 credits)
    • ED550 Effective Teaching for All Learners (3 credits)
    • ED560 The Modern Teacher (3 credits)
    • TE530 English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3 credits)
    • TE531 English Linguistics (3 credits)
    • TE540 Foundations of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)
    • TE551* TESOL Teaching Residency: Elementary (5 credits)
    • TE552* TESOL Teaching Residency: Secondary (5 credits)
    • TE580 MAT Project in TESOL (3 credits)

    *TE 553 and TE 554 are summer residency options for NYS teachers obtaining their MAT-ESOL. 

    The Clarkson Teaching Residency

    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 Internship (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)

    Certificate of Advanced Study in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

    The CAS program is a fully online six-course sequence that includes an intensive three-course summer term with a clinical practicum, two courses in the fall and one in the spring. Mentored internship is built into the fall and spring coursework around teachers' schedules. The program can be completed in one calendar year.

    Class of 2022 Graduate Placement Rate of 100 Percent

    A Note From Our Education Faculty

    The cornerstone of Clarkson's Master of Arts in Teaching is the full-year teaching residency. Schools that hire our graduates consistently cite the unique and in-depth residency experience as the reason Clarkson rises to the top of the profession. The time has never been better to consider a career in teaching as the field is changing rapidly in creative and dynamic ways. And, jobs are plentiful. In fact, 100% of graduates from the Master of Arts in Teaching program have received job offers since 2016!

    Catherine Snyder, Chair of Education

    Catherine Snyder

    Student Teaching Residency & Fieldwork Locations

    All MAT ESOL students complete an intensive summer online program with a fieldwork component, that is designed to prepare aspiring teachers for their 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. Each candidate's residency will be individually decided upon with the candidate based on career goals and location.

    The advance certificate pathway does not require a full-year residency; however, fieldwork components are included and will be arranged and completed in the candidate's local district.

    Teaching Career Outlook

    New York state needs teachers certified to teach ESOL. With the extraordinary growth of English language learning students, teaching positions in this area are going unfilled because schools cannot find certified teachers to hire. In the current environment, a rewarding teaching position in the field of TESOL is almost guaranteed.

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    See What Inspired Sabine to Choose Clarkson

    "Clarkson is providing me with the tools to become a teacher who is able to generate a creative, engaging and caring classroom environment."

    Sabine Murphy, MAT ESOL
    Sabine Murphy

    Education Grants & Scholarships

    Clarkson and the government offer grants and scholarships to help you pay for school. There is even a specific grant for prospective teachers. To learn more, visit our scholarships page below.

    Grants & Scholarships

    Admission

    MAT ESOL
    • 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/the arts, writing/communication, social sciences and STEM.
    • Educational psychology — an undergraduate course or Clarkson's CRC Department of Education exam. (Must be completed prior to summer intensive; can be completed in the fall or spring of the first year if students select the two-year program.)

    A complete application file consists of the following:

    • Online Application Form
    • Resume.
    • Statement of Purpose.
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation.
    • Official Transcripts.
    • Faculty Interview.
    • 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) and Duolingo English Test (115).

    Deadlines

    For students applying to the 18-month program that begins in the spring, complete applications must be received by November 1. For students applying to the one-year MAT ESOL program that begins in the summer, complete applications must be received by April 1. For students applying for the two-year MAT ESOL program that begins in the fall, applications are due by June 1.

    Early and on-time applicants will receive preferential review for scholarship opportunities.

    Late applicants will be considered for acceptance and scholarships based on availability.

    CAS TESOL

    Ideal students for the CAS TESOL program:

    • Hold a valid K-12 New York State teaching certification. 
    • An MA degree with 12 credits (or demonstrated fluency) in a language other than English.
    • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

    A complete application file consists of the following:

    • Online Application Form
    • Resume.
    • Statement of Purpose.
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation.
    • Official Transcripts.
    • 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) and Duolingo English Test (115).
    • Proof of current NYS initial certification in another discipline.
    • In-person or virtual interview.

    Deadlines

    For students applying with a desired summer start date, complete applications must be received by April 1. For students applying with a desired fall start date, applications are due by June 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.

    Watch an MAT Virtual Information Session

    Accreditation

    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 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:

    Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.

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