Degrees and Certificate

The Department of Applied Linguistics offers a B.A. Major and a Minor in Applied Linguistics, an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL), and a Certificate in TESL. 

Portland State University has one of the most comprehensive TESL Certificate programs in the Northwest, and the most rigorous MATESOL program in Oregon.  Because PSU is located in the city of Portland where an abundance of Oregon's second language children and adults live, there are many opportunities here for pre-service teachers to gain practical teaching experience and to find employment. 

Teacher observations, tutoring, and practice teaching experience are increasingly integrated with PSU's Intensive English Language Program. The IELP offers English Proficiency training to adult learners whose goals include matriculation in PSU's undergraduate and graduate degree programs, matriculation at other universities, and professional development. The IELP currently serves more than 400 English language learners from 39 countries.

Most TESL Certificate and MATESOL graduates are able to find employment in the field soon after graduation.

Degrees offered:

Graduate

  • M.A. TESOL - Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

  • A doctoral program in Applied Linguistics is currently under development
Undergraduate

  • TESL Certificate - Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language

  • B.A. - Undergraduate Major in Applied Linguistics

  • Minor - Undergraduate Minor in Applied Linguistics

Updated: 27-Feb-2009