How can I find out more about whether the TESL Certificate is the right program for me? | Make an appointment to meet with a faculty adviser. - Advising appointments for prospective students are available by phone or in person.
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How long does it take? | The TESL Certificate can be completed in as few as four academic quarters (total one year) or as many as eight academic quarters (two years) or more. It depends on your time schedule. Students wishing to meet all course requirements within four quarters must complete LING 390 *before* starting the TESL Certificate program. For more information, please see Planning your TESL Certificate Program.
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Can I meet the TESL Certificate requirements while finishing another major? | The course requirements for the TESL Certificate can be met during a typical undergraduate major course of study in many disciplines, such as: - Foreign Languages
- Social Science
- Applied Linguistics
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Who can help me set up the right course program, so that I can meet all the requirements for a B.A. *and* a TESL Certificate? | Undergraduate students must meet with an adviser to plan an efficient course of study that will meet both: - the TESL Certificate requirements
- the requirements for their baccalaureate degree.
To make an academic advising appointment, please contact your adviser or contact the Applied Linguistics coordinator.
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Can I start a TESL Certificate if I have already finished my degree? | The TESL Certificate may also be undertaken by students: - who have completed a B.A. or B.S. degree at an accredited university,
- who enroll at PSU with post-baccalaureate status.
- who are registered graduate student in conjunction with selected degree graduate programs at PSU.
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Can I transfer in credits from another program or university? | Yes, with certain restrictions. See: TESL Cert transfer credit
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What is required for the application? | The TESL Certificate is not a graduate degree, and it does not require formal admission to the Dept. of Applied Linguistics. If you have been admitted to Portland State University with undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate status, and you are interested in pursuing the TESL Certificate, you should fill out the TESL Certificate packet and meet with an adviser to plan your coursework International students must satisfy the English proficiency requirement before beginning the TESL Certificate coursework.
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What are the application deadlines? | No department deadline. Check PSU admissions deadlines.
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I missed the PSU admissions deadline. Can I start taking classes I need for the TESL Certificate? | Yes, you can take a maximum of two classes as a "Quick-Entry" (non-admitted) student. Later, after you are formally admitted, you can apply those credits towards the TESL Certificate program.
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How much does the TESL Certificate program cost? | PSU undergraduate tuition for a minimum of 40 credits. (If it is necessary to take prerequisites in order to become eligible to enroll in required classes, you might have to pay for more credits. Talk with your adviser.)
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Can I get an adviser to help me plan? | Yes, you will be assigned an adviser after you complete the TESL Certificate packet . If you would like to discuss whether the TESL Certificate is a good choice for you, please feel welcome to contact the Applied Linguistics coordinator to make an adviser appointment.
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What are the job opportunities? | See Job Prospects FAQ
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What if my TOEFL score is too low? | One possible way to improve your Academic English so that you can qualify for admission to the TESL Certificate program is to take upper level ESL classes at the IELP, then get a recommendation from your IELP instructor. Also you might consider to retake the TOEFL.
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Can I obtain the ESL/Bilingual Endorsement for my Oregon K-12 teaching license by taking TESL Certificate classes? | Yes, but there are several important decisions involved. Please contact the Applied Linguistics coordinator to make an appointment with a faculty advisor. (Appointments are available in person or by telephone.)
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Where can I find the forms for TESL Certificate admission and coursework planning? | Please see the Applied Linguistics Forms Page
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I am a TESL Certificate student and I am getting ready to graduate. What should I do? | Contact your adviser
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What does the TESL Certificate look like? Is it a separate diploma that I can show an employer or put in my portfolio? |
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Can I obtain the TESL Certificate after I have already graduated from PSU with a BA degree? | It is possible to get the TESL Certificate after you have already graduated, but the transfer credit issues are problematic. Please consult with your adviser!
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I'm ready to graduate with my BA and I've fulfilled most of the TESL Certificate requirements - but not all. What if I want to get my BA diploma now, and then finish the TESL Certificate requirements during the following quarter or two quarters? | Generally this is not recommended since it adds quite a bit of paperwork and transfer credit headache. But, you can do it.. - For B.A. graduation now, you'll need to fill out another 'application to graduate' form with your major but not the TESL Certificate
- When you are ready to complete your TESL Certificate, fill out a new application to graduate, just for the TESL Certificate.
- For the term that you want to get your TESL Certificate, you need to apply as a post-bac student and register for one credit.
- You need to be registered for at least one credit the quarter that you get the TESL Certificate (or any kind of degree).
If you think this sounds like a lot of trouble, you are right. It is much, much better to receive the B.A. and the TESL Certificate at the same graduation date. As always, your adviser can recommend the most efficient course program for your particular situation.
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