Mission Statement
The program is committed to sustainable development in academic excellence and scholarship, free inquiry, leadership, integrity, and service to society. More specifically, the Department strives to: 1) address the growing educational needs of English language teachers by offering both a Certificate and a Masters’ in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), 2) address the academic needs of prospective students preparing for graduate studies at AUA by providing instruction in the English for General Purposes Program, and 3) foster research for the professional development of faculty and students.
The two-year AUA Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MA TEFL) Program is a professional degree that aims to prepare teachers of English as a foreign language for schools and colleges. Graduates typically work in schools and universities as instructors, curriculum designers and language proficiency evaluators. The program also offers a graduate certificate: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (C-TEFL). The curricula of these programs closely follow the requirements and standards of similar courses and degree offerings at institutions in the United States and international best practices.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MA TEFL), students must successfully complete 46 credit units including courses from the MA TEFL curriculum and a 1-credit unit course in environmental science. These credit units include one of the three capstone options: Master’s Thesis, Master’s Paper, or Comprehensive Examinations. Students who choose to take the Comprehensive Examinations are required to register for Capstone Preparation (3 credit units) and additional 3 credits from among the MA TEFL elective courses (refer to Course descriptions for the list of electives).