TESOL, Literacy and Culture
Master of Education (MEd) in TESOL, Literacy and Culture
Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Program Overview
The University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers a TESOL, Literacy and Culture Program to assist professionals in the field of education to develop a scholarly and practical approach to literacy and second language instruction. We strive to prepare reflective practitioners who can successfully engage and ensure the academic success of students from diverse cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The TESOL, Literacy and Culture common goals are to: 1. critical understanding of theory and practice, 2. development and implementation of research-based and culturally responsive teaching practices, including closing the achievement gap and systems that perpetuate educational inequity, and 3. Provide opportunities for development as change agents and teacher-scholars at local, national and/or international levels.
The MEd in TESOL, Literacy and Culture program offers candidates the theoretical basis and practical knowledge/field experiences in teaching English as a Second and Foreign Language. It prepares candidates to work effectively in grades PK-16 and adult education settings, such as community colleges, universities, adult education centers, and language academies. The program focuses on culture, linguistics, second language acquisition, and methodology of teaching ESL, including alignment with required standards and a sound understanding of the complexities of working with linguistically and culturally diverse populations.
Program of Study (30 units)
The Master of Education in Literacy, Culture, and TESOL consists of 30 units taken in the following areas:
| Research & Foundations Courses (12 units) | |
| Take two (2) Research courses and one (1) course in each Foundation area: | |
| Research | |
| EDUC 500 | Research Design and Methodology (3) |
| EDUC 580 | Master's Capstone Seminar (3) |
| Psychological Foundations (3) Choose One | |
| EDUC 510 | Cognition & Learning (3) |
| OR | |
| EDUC 513 | Human Development (3) |
| Social Foundations (3) | |
| EDUC 529* | Language, Literacy Culture (3) |
| Core Courses (15 units) | |
| EDUC 540* | Introduction to Language & Linguistic Analysis (3) |
| EDUC 541* | Second Language Acquisition & Development (3) |
| EDUC 543* | Methods for Teaching Literacy in ESL (3) |
| Special Topics in TESOL (3) | |
| Multiple Literacies (3) | |
OR |
|
| Writing Across the Curriculum (3) | |
OR |
|
| Literature for Children & Adolescents (3) | |
| Elective courses (3 units) | |
| Take one (1) course from the list below. Students may transfer up to six (6) units of Graduate coursework. | |
| EDUC 546 | Teaching English as a Foreign Language (3) |
| EDUC 501 | Family, School and Community Partnerships (3) |
| EDUC 505 | Discourse, Schooling, & Learning Communities (3) |
| EDUC 511 | Educational Reform (3) |
| EDUC 516 | Innovations in Reading and Writing (3) |
| EDUC 530 | Critical Literacy, Popular Culture and Media Studies (3) |
| EDUC 537 | Adolescent and Children’s Literature and LGBTQ Communities (3) |
| EDUC 545 | Language, Politics, & Education (3) |
| EDUC 547 | Development and Evaluation of TESOL Programs (3) |
| EDUC 564 | Cross-Cultural Communication (3) |
| Electives other than those listed above may be accepted for credit with the approval of your adviser. | |
| Culminating Degree Project | |
| Candidates choose one of two options as a culminating project: Master's Action Research or Thesis. Candidates will design and implement an original research project and present findings in both a written format and an oral presentation. | |
| SOLES students are required to complete an international experience to graduate. Contact the program coordinator for more information. | |
* TESOL Certificate Requirement
