Our Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language degree combines a strong theoretical foundation in applied linguistics with practical training in the teaching of English to people who speak other native languages. The principal goals of the program are to:
- provide the linguistic theory necessary for ESL/EFL teachers
- equip teachers with the practical skills needed for effective language teaching
- prepare students for further study in English language teaching, applied linguistics, and related fields
Length of program
The MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language program is a two-year course of study. If you have a teaching assistantship, you should plan on a two-year commitment.General information
MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language and PhD in Applied Linguistics Handbook (for students starting in Fall of 2019)MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language Comprehensive Exam Information Sheet
Comprehensive Exams from previous years: 2023 (August), 2022 (January), 2021 (January), 2020 (January, August), 2019 (January, August), 2018 (January, August), 2017 (January, August), 2016 (January, August), 2015 (January, August), 2014 (January, August), 2013 (January, August)
MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language Writing Requirement Form.
Funding and tuition
MA Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language students are eligible to teach English composition courses in the English Department. Furthermore, a limited number of tuition waivers are available to out-of-state or in-state students who can demonstrate financial need. More information on graduate teaching assistantships and tuition waivers is available on our "Graduate Assistantships" page under "Resources."Non-academic graduate assistantships are available through many university-wide offices. They are awarded with stipends that vary by office, job duties, and degree-level. The NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies provides more information about "at-large" graduate assistantships.
NAU's MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language program is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which allows residents of certain Western states and territories to pay in-state tuition. The eligible states and territories are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Find out more about NAU's residency requirements for tuition purposes here. If you believe you meet these residency requirements, you may wish to consider petitioning to be recognized as an in-state student (more information here).
Accelerated BA-MA program
The Accelerated BA English-MA Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (Teaching Track) allows students to get both a BA in English and an MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language degree in as few as five years. Please see the academic catalog for the most recent information regarding courses and academic plans.Employment after Graduation
Teaching abroad: Over 90 percent of our MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language graduates have obtained ESL/EFL teaching positions. Graduates have taught in many countries, including Argentina, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Morocco, Namibia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Uzbekistan.Our graduates have also been employed in:
- adult education
- community colleges
- K-12 public schools
- intensive English programs
- programs for refugees
- US Defense Language Institute
Other EFL positions Our graduates have worked with the US Peace Corps, US State Department English Language Fellow (ELF) Program.
Other ESL-related positions Our graduates have worked as curriculum specialists, test-item developers, or lexicographers with Cambridge University Press, Educational Testing Service (ETS), Longman, and Second Language Testing, Inc.