Master of Science in Teaching, TESOL
Designed for people who hold an undergraduate degree but are now considering teaching as a career, the MST Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), All Grades, program at St. Thomas Aquinas College may be your gateway to enhancing your career.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there is a nationwide shortage of teachers prepared to support students for whom English is not their first language. In New York State, 10% of the public school population alone were labeled English Learners in the academic year 2021-2022 (New York State Education Department), and the need for new and well prepared ENL teachers is expected to grow.
The MST-TESOL at St. Thomas Aquinas College prepares recent graduates, teaching assistants, and career changers to teach all students whose first language is a language other than English.
This 36 credit graduate program provides candidates with the foundational knowledge and content pedagogy to meet the needs of English language learners in all grades. MST-TESOL candidates will also complete a minimum of 70 days of supervised Student Teaching experience in an English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom that will allow them to work with diverse learners.
Invest in Your Future and Ignite Your Teaching Career
The College is committed to affordability and providing graduate students with options to meet their needs and advance their careers. For 2023-2024, Graduate Tuition is $1,165 per credit plus nominal fees. There are various discounts up to 30% off the cost of tuition available for graduate students. Financial Aid is also available at the graduate level and our team will partner you to maximize your aid package. Contact Joy Gallagher, Transfer & Graduate Coordinator, at 845-398-4101 or jgallagh@stac.edu, to discuss your options.
At a glance
- 36 Credit Graduate Program
- Complete the program in 16 months
- Initial/Professional Teaching Certification
CONTACT
- Dana Caponong | Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions | dcaponon@stac.edu | 845-398-4220
Featured Courses
How does learning happen? This course explores how the brain develops, functions, and changes over time. Learn research-based practices and models of instruction that bring together neuroscience, cognitive science, and educational psychology to teach students with diverse learning needs and abilities.
Foundation methods course for students who are learning to teach English as a second/foreign language. Contents include guiding principles and methodology in various approaches to the teaching of second languages, including teaching reading and writing, developing auditory comprehension and oral production; impact of culture, heritage, socioeconomic level, educational background, and other human development processes and variations on language and literacy development; skills in motivation, communication, and classroom management.
Make the most of your student teaching experience in this concurrent seminar that will inspire you to reflect, self-evaluate, and evolve as a teacher. Embracing this process as a student will propel your professional development throughout your teaching career and make it possible to empower your students to achieve their potential.
Career Opportunities
Our MST students teach and find full-time employment at many local school districts and education systems throughout New York and New Jersey, including:
- Clarkstown Central School District
- Cornwall Central School District
- East Ramapo Central School District
- Goshen Central School District
- Livingston Township School District
- Mahwah Township School District
- Nanuet Union Free School District
- North Rockland Central School District
- Nyack School District
- Pearl River School District
- South Orangetown Central School District
- Suffern Central School District
- Tuckahoe Union Free School District
Program options
The MST in Childhood Education and Special Education will provide the foundations to effectively teach children in grades 1-6 with diverse learning needs and abilities.
The MST in Adolescence Education prepares students to earn their certification in English, mathematics, social studies, Spanish, earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Students have the option of pursuing a degree in Adolescence and Special Education and earn a second certification in Students with Disabilities.
The MST in Art Education prepares students to become certified in Art Education or Art Education and Special Education. In New York State, the Art certification encompasses all grades, K-12, while the Special Education Certification is for grades 1-6 or 7-12. Students combining Art with Special Education may choose Art, grades K-12, and Special Education, grades 1-6, or Art, grades K-12, and Special Education, grades 7-12.
Graduates of the MST programs are invited to return to St. Thomas Aquinas College to pursue post-master’s certificates in literacy or special education at alumni discounted rates to qualify for additional certifications and salary increases.