Accelerated Pathway | BA in Applied Linguistics + MA in TESOL

Many Applied Linguistics undergraduate students are interested in language-related careers that require a Master’s degree. Our accelerated pathway allows qualified students to start working on an MA while they finish their BA, saving both time and money.

If you are admitted to the accelerated pathway, 20 credits are shared between the Applied Linguistics BA and the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The MA is completed in an additional year plus one term after the BA, rather than taking two full years. The shared credits are charged undergraduate tuition, saving about $5,000 from graduate tuition.

The accelerated pathway requires careful planning and heavy course loads. Review the information below, attend an MA TESOL Information Session to learn about the MA, then meet with the Applied Linguistics faculty advisor to discuss whether the accelerated pathway is a good choice for you.

Advising

As you consider the accelerated pathway, you should consult with the Applied Linguistics faculty advisor, who will help you prepare your application and design a tentative plan for your senior-year coursework. After you are accepted into the BA+MA accelerated pathway, you will be assigned a graduate academic advisor from among the tenure-track faculty in Applied Linguistics.

Accelerated BA+MA vs. Completing Degrees Separately

• During your senior year as an undergraduate, you take four 500-level courses which count for both degrees. You also take undergraduate courses that year. The course load makes a very demanding senior year. 
• In consultation with your advisor, you substitute electives for two required courses in the MA – Applied English Grammar (Ling 521) and Applied Phonetics and Phonology (Ling 513).
• Other requirements are the same. In the MA, you can choose the Teaching Track or the Applied Linguistics Track and the Culminating Workshop or a Thesis for your culminating experience.

Accelerated BA+MA vs. BA + TESL Certificate

The MA is an advanced, graduate degree, while the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate is a shorter undergraduate program. The MA takes longer and costs more to complete than the TESL Certificate. With the MA, you will be qualified for more positions and you will have more advanced training. The MA is usually required for teaching in the US. The MA also prepares you for research work and can be a step towards a doctoral program. 

• If you are interested in a long-term career in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, a graduate degree is often a wise investment. 
• If you are interested in ESL teaching as a shorter-term job, especially internationally, or you need to finish your degree faster and with less expense, a TESL Certificate may serve you better. 

Talk with the Applied Linguistics faculty advisor and attend information sessions if you are trying to decide between the programs.

Application Materials

• Application Essay: Outline your goals, reasons why the accelerated pathway is a good fit for you, and your ability to complete both degrees on the accelerated pathway.
• References: Two letters of recommendation from current professors in the Applied Linguistics department.

Continuing Requirements

• All 500-level courses shared between the two degrees must be taken at PSU for a grade of B or better. P/NP grades are not allowed.
• All undergraduate courses must receive a grade of C or better. P/NP grades are not allowed.
• You must maintain a PSU institutional GPA of 3.3 in 500-level courses while admitted at the undergraduate level. You must also maintain a 3.5 in 400-level and lower-level courses.