Application requirements
Applicants for the M.A. TESOL degree must hold a B.A. or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.00. The admissions criteria include academic preparation, relevant experience, and the fit between the program and the applicant's professional goals. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
Please submit ALL application materials through the online system only. Qualifying graduate applicants may submit a request for the application fee waiver with required documentation as part of the application process. See information at: https://www.pdx.edu/admissions/apply-to-grad-school.
The required materials are:
a) A transcript (PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF, or TIF file) from each post‐secondary institution you have attended. Further information about what is considered an official transcript is at https://www.pdx.edu/admissions/transcripts.
b) The names and contact information for at least two academic or professional references who can write letters commenting on your ability to do graduate work and your potential for teaching or other language-related careers. We prefer that at least one letter comes from a professor who knows your academic work. If you have been out of school for many years and can not get a letter from a former professor, consider taking a pre-admission course so you can ask our department faculty member for a letter. You can also ask for letters from supervisors. If you are a recent graduate or are currently a post-bac student, former professors will likely be the best people to ask. If you have been out of school for several years, you may ask a supervisor. If possible, find recommenders who have completed graduate work so that they can comment on your aptitude for such work.
c) A 2-3 page statement of purpose. In your statement, comment on your background and preparation for entering the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) / Applied Linguistics. Outline your reasons for selecting this field as a future profession, describe your future goals, and explain why the M.A. TESOL program at Portland State University is an appropriate program for achieving these goals.
d) A current resume or CV.
e) Proof of English language proficiency. Detailed information regarding PSU's proof of English language proficiency requirement can be found at https://www.pdx.edu/admissions/international/english-language-proficiency#grad-language.
MA TESOL Minimum Test Scores
iBT TOEFL 100
IELTS 7.0
PTE 65
The [Applied Linguistics Department] is a really cool environment in terms of how close everyone is here. Something that I didn't have during my undergrad is a really secure support system. The professors here take so much time to get to know all of the students that they work with. That's not something that I experienced before. It's been described as a private university with a public school cost. They do so much for the students.
Sasha Reinwald-Albrecht, MA TESOL alum, 2019