Academic Program

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Doctoral Degree

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) is a strand of the Literacy Program. Therefore, it's referred to as Literacy/TESL Graduate Program, which offers a doctorate specializing in TESL. The Literacy/TESL Graduate Program is a community of scholars and professionals committed to promoting research and academic excellence, delivering student-centered teaching, and building relationships and partnerships with local, regional, national, and international communities. It creates professional and scholarly opportunities for students to become theoretically informed and practically equipped, caring, committed, and competent educators and scholars. The Literacy/TESL program also encourages individuality and creativity where faculty, students, and staff contribute toward the common good of the program through expression of their views and their work. The program aligns its mission with the UC|21, Ohio TESOL, and National TESOL missions.

The Literacy/TESL doctoral program prepares future university and college professors, researchers, and curriculum specialists in TESL and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) fields. It develops students' expertise in second language acquisition and socialization theories and research related to TESL and TEFL. The program encourages and prepares students to conduct sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic research on language teaching and learning as well as language policy development and implementation in various educational and sociocultural contexts. Through strong theory and research-based training, the program of study emphasizes the importance of engendering social opportunity and educational access. It addresses the cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, political, and economic factors that impact English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching and learning at all levels of development. Doctoral students engage in a variety of guided experiences that blend theory, research, and instruction.

Application Information

Application Procedures

For admission information and application procedures, please see the Application Process for Doctoral Degree Programs in Teacher Education (pdf).

Financial Aid

There are some partial graduate tuition scholarships (University Graduate Scholarships) available every year. These are available on the basis of previous academic record. It is important to apply each academic year to obtain this scholarship. Summer quarter requires a separate application. Applications are available from the School of Education office (615 Teachers College at UC Clifton Campus) or by calling the office at 513-556-3600.

Curriculum

Overview of the Doctoral Program of Study

This section of the document shows a carefully planned course of study that helps doctoral students fulfill the requirements of their doctoral studies in the Literacy/TESL program. All the required and suggested courses are meant to prepare students for their dissertation research and their growth as future professors and researchers. The procedural information is meant to help students navigate during their studies. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors closely in implementing this plan. Note that all course credits are quarter credits. Specifics of the course of study are as follows:

  • Division of Teacher Education Professional Seminars (3 course sequence) (9 credits)
  • Research Apprenticeship: Mentored Research in Literacy (3 course sequence) (9 credits)
  • College Research Tools Sequence (3 course sequence) (9 credits)
  • Research Methods/Research Theories Courses (9 credits)
  • TESL Research Seminar Sequence (3 course sequence) (9 credits)
  • Advanced TESL Content Area Course Sequence (LTCY 865, 866, & 867) (9 credits)
  • Other Content Area Coursework (18 credits)
  • Dissertation Guidance (45 credits)
  • Master's Degree Credit (and/or electives) (18 credits)
  • Total: 135 quarter credit hours

Suggested Content Area Coursework:

Content Area coursework will consist of at least 18 credit hours. These courses must constitute a coherent, integrated program of study. A minimum of nine hours must be at the 800/900 level (exclusive of dissertation). Students may only pursue study in a designated Content Area. (If a student has an interest in an area of study, but there are not two faculty members who are qualified to be a Lead Mentor in that area, the student cannot pursue that line of study.)

Please view the Phases of Literacy Doctoral Program TESL Specialization (pdf).