School of Professional Studies

Master's of Professional Studies | TESOL 
Course Requirements & Descriptions

TESOL (TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES) Degree 30 Hours

12 Hours Core Courses:

•  PRST 6100 - Professional Environment Issues and Ethics (3)
  Overview of ethics in general, with practical tools for assessing ethical dimensions of professional life, diagnosing or identifying the moral issues at hand, and then developing reasonable options to address particular moral and ethical issues.
• PRST 6110 - Leadership and Communication (3)
  This course focuses on leadership as a function of communication behavior. Through discussion, cases and exercises, participants will explore effective communication strategies within an organizational setting. The course will cover team leadership skills, rhetorical sensitivity, charisma and practical suggestions for improving leadership effectiveness. 
• PRST 6300 - Research Methods (3)
  The student and application of research methods appropriate to professional studies. The course will provide a general introduction to research methods, as well as providing practical exposure to Problem Statements, Literature Reviews, Writing the Research Proposal, and Organization of the Research Report. Quantitative and Qualitative Research methodologies will be covered.
• PRST 6998 - Professional Project (3)
  Taken during the final semester of the program. Students should begin planning the project when they enter the program. Please consult with your advisor about appropriate topics and submit your proposal for approval prior to entering the final project course.
  The Professional Project is the last requirement for the MPS Degree, serving as the integrative culmination of the program of study. It should be a substantial piece of independent research or a significant professional project that is logically consistent with the theme and content of the program of study. Student’s work should demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of a body of professional literature related to a specific topic. The Project should grow out of the program of study and should demonstrate the student’s ability to use the knowledge gained from this program of study.
   

  Choose 15 Concentration/Certificate Hours:

• PRST 6200 - Globalization and the Professions (3) 
  The purpose of this course is to assess the impact of globalization on professional life. The course examines globalization as it relates to commerce, information flow, mass media, government, health care and education.
  
  
• PRST 6320 - Comparative Issues in Higher Education (3)
  This course begins with a history of the origins of the university and the development of higher education in the West. The course will then examine the modern setting with a comparative framework looking at higher education access, equity, finance, accountability, and leadership. The course will look at current issues in Western Europe and the United States, as well as other parts of the developed and developing world.
  
  
• PRST 6330 - International Issues in Education Policy and Practice (3)
  This course examines the policy and practice of primary and secondary education in select OECD countries as well as the developing world. It will cover issues of pedagogy, professionalism, leadership, finance, accountability, efficiency, and equity. Consideration will be given to the role of international agencies and non-governmental organizations in influencing policy and development. Attention will also be given to such issues as private vs public provision, corruption, social cohesion, education for immigrants and refugees, and education as a basic human right.
  
  
• CUED 6010 – Curriculum Development & Evaluation (3)
  Current trends in curriculum development; defining objectives; planning for improvement; organization of instructional materials; curriculum evaluation.
  
  
• CUED 6100 - Instructional Strategies (3)
  Advanced educational methods for K-12, including an emphasis on current research and best practice in the field.
  
  
• CUED 6440 - Emerging Technologies in Education (3) 
  This course surveys current and potential classroom technologies that influence teaching and learning. Students will develop and facilitate effective uses of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to enrich research, learning and educational practices.
  
  
• CUED 6920 - Special Topics (3)
  Students will explore various methods and strategies for teaching literacy to English language learners. Course focus will be on strategies for supporting vocabulary and concept development, academic reading and writing.
  
  
• ENGL 5511 - Introduction to Language Description and Analysis (3)
  Introduction to descriptive analysis of language: phonology, morphology, lexicon, and syntax.
  
  
• ENGL 5531 - Grammar and Language (3)
  Grammatical structure of English in relation to dialect and register with some emphasis on historical and potential changes in grammar.
  
  
• ESLP 5200 - ESL Assessment: Reading and Writing (3)
  Assessing proficiency for ESL placement and eventual integration into school curriculum mainstreaming with special emphasis on language literacy skills: reading and writing.
  
  

  Elective (3):

  Choose any PRST 6000 course or course approved by advisor.