Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) (PreK-12) MAT
The TESOL master's program results in candidates receiving a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a Tennessee License to teach grades PreK-12.
MAT candidates must apply for admission to TEP before the end of the second semester and fulfill all TEP requirements. Candidates must have a 3.0 graduate GPA to be admitted to TEP and maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the graduate program. Candidates must pass the Praxis II Content Knowledge or NES Content Knowledge examination to be licensed to teach in Tennessee. For information regarding registration, testing costs, and other examination information, please visit or
MAT candidates who hold a Practitioner, Job-Embedded (JEP) License may visit our JEP website for additional information or contact Mary Lanier, Licensing and Certification Specialist.
All MAT candidates who do not hold a valid Practitioner Job-Embedded (JEP) License must enroll in ICL 7808 – Clinical Teaching and ICL 7993 – Current Trends in Diverse Education to complete their licensure requirements.
Practitioner Job-Embedded (JEP) candidates must enroll in ICL 7992 – Master’s Project for two semesters, Fall and Spring, to fulfill their program requirements while completing their licensure pathway.
For additional information, please contact MAT Advisor Paris Samuels.
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall I Semester (9 Hours)
- ENGL 7531 - Theory and History of ESL
- ENGL 7535 - ESL Grammar
- LITL 7552 - Foundation Skills: Phonological Awareness and Phonics
Timeline
- Begin studying/preparing for your Praxis content exam.
- Praxis 5362 (English Speakers of Other Languages)
- Access Praxis resources here.
Suggested Course Sequence for Spring I Semester (6 Hours)
- LITL 7553 - Literacy Development K-4**
- ENGL 7532 - Theories and Skills Assessment in ESL**
Timeline
- Continue Praxis support and studying.
- Continue to take your Praxis II content exam(s) if not already passed.
- Apply for TEP Admissions.
- If you are not admitted to TEP, you will not be able to continue Level 2 coursework.
Suggested Course Sequence for Summer I Semester (6 Hours)
- ENGL 7538 - Culture Issues in ESL
- EDPR 7117 - Life-Span Human Development
Timeline
- Continue to take your Praxis II content exam(s) if not already passed.
- Apply for TEP Admissions.
- If you are not admitted to TEP, you will not be able to continue Level 2 coursework.
Courses with asterisks (**) have clinical/field hours connected to them. You will be expected to visit a school to complete these hours. Your course instructor will share the number of hours to be completed with you.
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall II Semester (6 Hours)
- SPED 7000 - Introduction to Exceptional Learners**
- ENGL 7533 - Methods and Techniques of ESL**
Timeline
- Complete Clinical Teaching application
Suggested Course Sequence for Spring II Semesterd (3 Hours)
- ICL 7709 - Urban Learning Environment**
- EDPR 7521 - Introduction to Educational Research
Timeline
- Complete Clinical Teaching application
Suggested Course Sequence for Summer II Semester (6 Hours)
- IDT 7061 - Instructional Design and Education Technology
Courses with asterisks (**) have clinical/field hours connected to them. You will be expected to visit a school to complete these hours. Your course instructor will share the number of hours to be completed with you.
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall III - Clinical Teaching Candidates (9 Hours)
- ICL 7808 - The Clinical Teaching Semester
- ICL 7993 - Professional Seminar (REQUIRED)
Suggested Course Sequence for Fall III - Job Embedded Candidates (3 Hours)
- ICL 7992 - Master's Project
Timeline
- Candidates should have all courses completed and passed:
- Praxis 5135 (Art: Content and Analysis K-12) completed prior to enrolling in Level 3 courses
- Candidates who plan to graduate must apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester through their myMemphis portal. (Visit ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ Commencement Office for more information)
- An application is required one (1) semester prior to The Clinical Teaching Semester - ICL 7808.
- All clinical teaching candidates must take the Professional Seminar to obtain licensure - ICL 7993.
- No other courses may be taken with the clinical teaching semester and/or the ICL 7993 Professional Seminar or 7992 Master's Project classes.
- Candidates who have an active Job Embedded Practitioner License will be exempt from submitting the edTPA.