Program Overview

Program Coordinator So Lim Kim, (845) 257-2826, kims23@newpaltz.edu
Program ID 065
Credits 36
Program Length The MSED can be completed in two years if enrolled part-time, but students must complete the degree within 5 years
Modality In-person
Full-time/Part-time Full-time or Part-time
Transfer Credits 6
Capstone Practicum
Licensure/Certification NYSED Initial/Professional ESOL (all grades)

Program Description

In response to the regional need for professionals prepared to educate linguistically and culturally diverse students, SUNY New Paltz offers a Master of Science in Education in Second Language Education. This thirty-six credit program leads to certification (initial and professional) in English to Speakers of Other Languages (Pre K-12).

Apply to a SUNY New Paltz graduate programAdmission Requirements

  • One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work; the baccalaureate transcript should be from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the major, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA overall. Candidates must have completed a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in one of the liberal arts or sciences.
  • An admission essay demonstrating experience and/or interest in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students.
  • Satisfactory completion of twelve semester hours of study of a language other than English.  All courses must be conducted in the target language.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • For international students, a minimum score of 90 on the internet-based TOEFL exam.

Application Deadlines

May 15 Fall Admission
Accepting on a rolling basis until the program is full. However, students who submit after the deadline may get news of acceptance after advanced registration and some classes may be full.

Curriculum Requirements - TESOL 

Core Courses (23 Credits)
SED573Teaching English as a New Language I3
SED507Fieldwork I Second Language Education1
EED581Foundations of Bilingual/Bicultural Education 3
SED578Second Language Learning 3
SED577Applied Linguistics for Teachers of English as a New Language (ENL)3
SED576Teaching English as a New Language II3
SED509Fieldwork II Second Language Education1
SED575Teaching Literacy in English as a New Language3
SED580English Grammar for Teachers of English as a New Language (ENL)3
Student Teaching (7 Credits)
SED579Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language 6
SED607Practicum Seminar: Second Language Education1
Additional Courses (6 Credits)
SED560Technology in the Classroom 3
SPE565Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms 3
Total Credits36

Graduate Checklist

  • Apply for graduation via my.newpaltz.edu under “Graduation” tab according to the schedule in the academic calendar.   

  • Resolve any pending admission conditions (outlined in your acceptance letter) and/or missing documents if applicable. 

  • Review your progress report via my.newpaltz.edu to ensure that you have completed all program requirements.  

  • Remember that only two grades below a B- may be applied to your plan of study 

  • Contact your advisor if you need to amend your plan or process transfer credit. 

  • Ensure that you are in good academic standing with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 or higher. 

  • Pass your capstone or culminating assessment. 

  • Complete your degree within the specified time limit outlined in the Program Overview. 

Program Requirements

  • File a “plan of study” during the first semester after matriculation.
  • Any deficiencies in the candidate’s previous training shall be removed by early advisement with the Second Language Education program advisor.
  • Completion of prescribed course work and other requirements within five years after matriculation.
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better with no more than two grades below B-.
  • Successful completion of practicum during the final semester of study.

Additional State Certification Requirements

In addition to degree requirements, candidates must meet several New York State certification requirements which include:

  1. Attending a number of workshops, designed to assist teachers in
    1. preventing violence in the schools (S.A.V.E)
    2. recognizing symptoms of child abuse and neglect,
    3. providing a safe and supportive learning environment through the training for Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), and
    4. by completing the Health & Safety training.
  2. Satisfying the New York State Certification Testing requirements, which include:
    1. Content Specialty Test (for initial certification)

Program Learning Outcomes

Second Language Education (MSEd)

Candidates who successfully complete all required components of the TESOL K-12 program at SUNY New Paltz will: 

  •  Content Knowledge: Demonstrate content area mastery by completing at least 30 hours of coursework in TESOL methods and content. 
  • Planning: Be able to plan lessons in TESOL that are standards-based, clear, logical and organized, rely upon a variety of appropriate instructional strategies and appropriate technologies, and differentiate instruction, providing opportunities to promote appreciation of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion in safe, democratic, and equitable learning environments. 
  • Assessment and P-12 Learning: Be able to choose, design, and implement authentic and appropriate formative and summative assessments to evaluate student learning, differentiate and adapt assessments for ELLs through logical decision-making, consider assessment data when making instructional decisions, and identify effective or problematic teaching moments as they are occurring in order to facilitate student growth in specified content, cognitive skills, and/or social skills. 
  • Pedagogical Practice: Demonstrate the ability to maximize student learning by incorporating content and pedagogical content knowledge, appropriate and effective technology, and a variety of developmentally and contextually appropriate evidence-based instructional strategies to make learning meaningful for students while teaching. 
  • Dispositions: Exhibit the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to practice an ethically informed and self-reflective philosophy, demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately to challenges that arise in teaching, and develop respectful relationships with students, families, communities and colleagues. 

  • Critical Thinking and Reasoning:  Clearly articulate an issue or problem; identify, analyze, and evaluate ideas, data, and arguments as they engage in planning, assessing, and teaching; and acknowledge limitations such as perspective and bias as they develop well-reasoned arguments to form judgements and/or draw conclusions that support pedagogical decisions. 

  • Information Literacy:  Locate appropriate resources effectively using appropriate tools; evaluate information with an awareness of authority, validity, and bias; and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of information use, creation, and dissemination as they relate to the field of education.