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Updated February 18, 2015

English

 

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Andrew Harris

 

Department of English Language and Literature

HUM 484
Phone: 415-338-2264
Chair: Sugie Goen-Salter

 

Program Coordinators
Director of the Writing Program: Tara Lockhart
Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS, formerly ESL): Lisa Heyer
English Education: Nelson Graff
Linguistics: Troi Carleton
Literature: Bill Christmas
Director of the Technical and Professional Writing Program: Neil Lindeman

 

Graduate Coordinators
Composition: Mark Roberge
Linguistics: Troi Carleton
Literature: Julie Paulson
TESOL: David Olsher

 

Faculty

Professors: Avery, Carleton, Christmas, Goen-Salter, Green, Klironomos, Krasny, Lyles, Peel, Rehling, Roberge, Schoerke, Soliday, Stec, Voloshin, Whalley
Associate Professors: Abeywickrama, Cannon, Ching, Graff, Hackenberg, Hanley, Kwok, Lindeman, Lockhart, Mylander, Olsher, Paulson, Santos, Shahani, Trainor
Assistant Professors: Lederer, Morris, Star, Wardley, Yim

 

Programs

B.A. in English

B.A. in Technical and Professional Writing

Minor in English and American Literature

Minor in Linguistics

Minor in Technical and Professional Writing

M.A. in English

Certificate in Immigrant Literacies

Certificate in Teaching of Composition

Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading

Certificate in Technical and Professional Writing

 

---

 

English

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in English typically includes introductory course work in the study of language, the principles of critical investigation and critical writing, and the various methods of literary and/or language study. The requirements for each concentration are intended to make each student familiar with one of the principal areas of English studies, and to show how other areas of English studies can illuminate his or her area of concentration.

 

The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Literature develops professional skills, ensures breadth of knowledge, and provides opportunities for specialization. Broader relationships are studied in the survey, period, and genre courses; narrower, deeper investigations are undertaken in other seminars. The thesis explores critical possibilities well beyond the range of the seminar paper. It measures the candidate’s ability to isolate and thoroughly examine a particular literary problem, theme, or idea.

 

The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Linguistics provides students with a solid grounding in the tools of language analysis. The course offerings in contemporary linguistic theory cover a broad spectrum of the levels of linguistic structure: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. Since the program allows considerable choice in course work beyond a basic set of core requirements, the student in consultation with an advisor can plan a program to suit individual interests and career requirements.

 

The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is offered as a result of a local, national, and international demand for persons prepared to perform various services in English as a foreign or second language. This concentration includes work in literature and foreign languages, with electives in education and the social sciences, as well as specialized work at an advanced level in linguistics and language teaching. The concentration provides training for teachers and a suitable background for supervisors and others responsible for the preparation of materials and courses of study in English as a foreign or second language. Completion of the M.A. in English TESOL program may not fulfill the requirements for teacher credentialing in the State of California; some California credentials may require additional course work and/or examinations.

 

The Masters in English with a Concentration in Composition provides students with a broad background in the theory, research, policy, and practice of teaching composition and postsecondary reading to diverse student populations.

 

The Certificate in the Teaching of Composition prepares students to teach composition at the secondary and post-secondary levels. It also provides experienced teachers with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of theory and practice in the field.

 

The Certificate in the Teaching of Post-Secondary Reading enables prospective and already practicing post-secondary teachers to attain proficiency in the teaching of reading at community college, college, and adult levels. Requirements for teaching reading in the community colleges (Assembly Bill 1725) specify that new instructors must possess a master's degree in education with a specialization in reading, or a master's in English or TESOL with additional certification in the teaching of reading.

 

The Certificate in Immigrant Literacies represents an innovative graduate-level program for pre-service and in-service professionals who wish to combine cross-disciplinary study of language, literacies, and the immigrant experience with community service learning. The Certificate program primarily targets matriculated graduate students preparing for careers in adult ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages), health, community development, and other careers that serve the needs of immigrant groups, as well as professionals who are already working in these careers. Certificate students learn about the influence of language and literacies in a specific social context (e.g., health) and hone community partnership skills for meaningful advocacy and collaboration within the local community. The program’s broader goals aim to foster the commitment, knowledge, and skills that are fundamental to proactive civic engagement.

 

Career Outlook

The English major can lead to a rewarding career in teaching as well as in professional fields such as law, publishing, information science, and business.

 

Students completing the Master of Arts with Concentration in Composition typically either teach at community colleges or go on to doctoral work with a view to teaching at a college or university. At the university level, specialists in composition and rhetoric are in increasing demand as researchers and directors of undergraduate writing programs. Two-year colleges are increasingly recognizing the need for professional training in the teaching of composition and are hiring accordingly.

 

While the Master of Arts with Concentration in Literature is specifically designed to help prepare a student for a career in teaching literature in community colleges or high schools in the United States or other countries, or for going on to a doctoral program, it has a far broader application. Any career requiring communication, research or analytic skills, literacy, a careful scholarly approach and a broad understanding of human values may use this program as a base. Those include publishing, editing, media, journalism, technical writing, government service, law, and administrative or research work in business or industry.

 

The Master of Arts with Concentration in Linguistics prepares students for a variety of teaching and research positions in which the emphasis is on the structure of language. Graduates of the program may teach English language or writing, work in the fields of speech production or speech recognition, or go on to further study in linguistics or related disciplines.

 

The Master of Arts with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) prepares students specifically to teach English to non-native speakers of the language. Most graduates of the program become TESOL classroom teachers in adult education classes, public schools, intensive language programs, and colleges either in the United States or foreign countries. Others choose jobs in related areas such as program administration, curriculum design, materials writing, and teacher training.

 

The Certificate in the Teaching of Composition prepares students for teaching composition at the advanced secondary, community college, and college levels. Many students in M.A. programs other than Composition take the certificate as a means of preparing themselves for teaching composition in two-year colleges. In addition, a number of two-year college and high school English teachers take the courses to develop their expertise in composition.

 

The Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading enables prospective and already practicing post-secondary teachers to develop their ability to meet specific individual professional needs in the area of basic literacy and reading instruction. This certificate prepares students for teaching positions in the community colleges and community agencies where specialized background and techniques are necessary.

 

The Certificate in Immigrant Literacies program prepares students to work in community-based adult CMS/literacy settings as adult CMS teachers and/or community partners with adult CMS programs. Students who graduate with a Certificate also find jobs in related areas, including CMS curriculum development, materials writing, community-based participatory research, community organizing, grant-writing, and partnership building.

 

Technical and Professional Writing Program

Program Scope

Technical and professional writers are in demand to link ideas, technologies, products, and services with people who need to understand those developments or to use them. The Technical and Professional Writing Program can prepare students for that critical communications role through major, minor, and certificate programs.

 

Technical and professional writers work in almost every field of industry and public life, including high-technology industries, business, government, and research and non-profit organizations. These career writers not only write and edit many types of documents in different media, but also sometimes design publications, manage and evaluate documentation and communication projects, and oversee development, production, and distribution processes.

 

To be best prepared for success in such work, students will need to start with strong writing skills then learn how to adapt them for the workplace and for changing technology and employment needs. Students also will need an intellectual framework for continuing professional growth and responsibility throughout their careers, including a solid grounding in humanistic studies, with an emphasis on analytical and ethical practices relevant for the workplace.

 

TPW students can combine TPW courses—which expose them to current workplace forms, methods, standards, and issues—with interdisciplinary electives that further develop related communications skills and attitudes. Students also can target a potential employment interest: Majors choose a specialized concentration (the subject matter focus); minors and certificate students can use TPW studies to complement their education and experience in other fields.

 

After completing the TPW program, students can begin their writing careers with important accomplishments and advantages: an academic degree or certificate in the field, improved and focused skills, an understanding of professional expectations and best practices for writers, and a portfolio of relevant writing samples.

 

Career Outlook

Depending on students' choices of subject matter focus and/or skills electives, students would be prepared for entry-level jobs as writers, editors, desktop or multimedia publishers, information developers and designers, and/or communications managers producing and overseeing technical documentation, content management systems, training or support materials, reports or proposals, and promotions or publicity.

 

Bachelor of Arts in English

General Information

Students considering teaching in the secondary schools should see a departmental credential advisor before planning their program. Specific courses and an assessment of competencies are required for admission to the Secondary Education Credential program. Students should also contact the Credential and Graduate Services Center, Burk Hall 244, (415) 405-3594, regarding teaching credential information.

 

English majors with concentrations in Literature, Linguistics, or Individual Major are required to complete a 45-unit program consisting of 6 units of lower-division prerequisites, 15 units of core requirements,21 units in an area of concentration, and 3 units of culminating experience. English majors with a concentration in English Education must complete 6 units of lower-division prerequisites, 12 units of core requirements, between 23 and 26 units in the concentration (including 3 units of culminating experience), plus 12 to 22 units in an area of emphasis.

 

A maximum of 9 units of work in lower-division literature courses may be accepted for credit in the major upon consent of an advisor.

 

Advanced Placement (A.P.) credit in composition cannot be used to fulfill the lower-division literature requirement in the major or minor.

 

Completion of ENG 480 GW: Junior Seminar - GWAR with a grade of C or higher fulfills the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) for all English majors.

 

Culminating Experience must be completed during either the final semester, or one of the semesters of the student’s final (senior) year, depending on the English major concentration. For more information, please refer to the relevant major concentration section in this Bulletin.

 

Complementary Studies Requirement for English Majors

Twelve units of complementary studies are required of all candidates in any of the four concentrations (Literature, Linguistics, English Education and Individual Major) in the Bachelor of Arts degree in English. These units must come from courses bearing a prefix other than ENG, and must not be cross-listed with ENG. English majors will be offered four pathways for satisfying this requirement; each pathway is designed to facilitate graduation in a timely manner. (A) Foreign Language: 12 units in a single foreign language; (B) 2nd Major / Minor / Certificate: 12 units of course work taken as part of a second major, a minor or a certificate; (C) Study Abroad: 12 units of course work taken in an approved study abroad program (such as CSU Study Abroad); (D) Related Subjects: 12 units of course work in related disciplines with the approval of a English Department advisor. Related subjects typically include (but are not limited to) Comparative and World Literature, Classics, Creative Writing, Ethnic Studies, Foreign Languages, History, Journalism, and Women and Gender Studies. For this option, 6 units must be from classes in a non-literary related field.

 

Depending on concentration within the major, CS pathway, and with approval of a departmental advisor, up to 12 units from courses with non-ENG prefixes that count towards the Complementary Studies requirement may also count as English electives in fulfillment of Major requirements.

 

Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

 

B.A. in English: Concentration in Literature

A maximum of 9 units of literature classes from other departments (such as Comparative and World Literature) may be accepted for credit in the major upon consent of an advisor.

 

English (B.A.): Concentration in Literature — 45 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major, and no grade in the major lower than C- (except for ENG 480 GW: Junior Seminar - GWAR, which requires a grade of C or higher).

 

B.A. in English: Concentration in Linguistics

English (B.A.): Concentration in Linguistics — 45 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major, and no grade in the major lower than C- (except for ENG 480 GW: Junior Seminar - GWAR, which requires a grade of C or higher).

 

B.A. in English: Concentration in English Education ³

English (B.A.): Concentration in English Education — 53 - 66 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Important Notes:

1. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major, and no grade in the major lower than C- (except for ENG 480 GW Junior Seminar - GWAR, which requires a grade of C or higher).
2. Only courses in which students earn a B- or better will count towards subject matter competency for admission into a California credential program. Students who earn lower grades in any of the courses required for their major will need to take the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) to establish subject matter competency.
   Courses for subject matter competency may not be taken CR/NC.
3. Admission to the credential program at SF State requires a GPA of 2.75 (B-) or better.
4. Check with an English Education advisor for specific courses that meet the requirements in the English Education concentration and with an advisor in your emphasis area to ensure that your electives are approved.
5. Candidates pursuing an emphasis in drama should see a minor advisor in Theatre Arts to learn how to supplement the English Education major with a minor. The drama emphasis area allows substitutions in the English Education Concentration. See an advisor if you are considering this area.

 

Candidates with a particular interest in communication studies or comparative and world literature can pursue special strands within those majors for subject matter competency in English.

 

Electronic Portfolio:
Candidates in English Education must register for ENG 688 during their final semester, when they will compile an electronic portfolio to demonstrate that they have met all of the core outcomes of the Single Subject Program. They should include artifacts - examples of their work, and faculty and peer comments on their work - and reflections that explicitly tie elements of the artifacts to the outcome statements.

 

B.A. in English: Concentration in Individual Major

English (B.A.): Concentration in Individual Major — 45 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

A list of undergraduate advisors is available in the department office (HUM 484) or on english.sfsu.edu.

 

Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major, and no grade in the major lower than C- (except for ENG 480: Junior Seminar - GWAR, which requires a grade of C or higher).

 

B.A. in Technical and Professional Writing

Technical and Professional Writing (B.A.) — 45 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Culminating Experience must be completed during one of the semesters of the student’s final (senior) year.

Note: All units applied to the TPW B.A. must be earned with a grade of C or better.

 

Minor in English and American Literature

English and American Literature, Minor — 21 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: One literature course, lower- or upper-division, must be in Global Literatures in English.

 

Minor in Linguistics

Linguistics, Minor — 21 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

A maximum of 6 TPW advisor-approved transfer units is allowed toward the minor.

Technical and Professional Writing, Minor — 24 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: All units applied to the TPW minor/certificate must be earned with a grade of C or better.

 

Graduate Programs in English

Advising is central to the program. Students must see their advisors to shape their programs initially, to gain approval for course choices, and to prepare for the oral examination. For more detailed information on obtaining advising, please contact the English department graduate secretary.

 

All M.A. candidates who wish to receive the Single Subject Teaching Credential concurrently with the M.A. should confer with an appropriate advisor in the College of Education.

 

Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Composition

Admission to Program

In addition to the materials sent to the graduate admissions office, the applicant must submit the following items to the English Department:

• a one to two page typed statement of purpose in which the applicants are to explain their interest in pursuing the M.A. degree, including describing any previous teaching, tutoring, training, writing or editing experience that may contribute to their success in the program; discuss their readiness to meet the rigors of graduate-level coursework; and explain how this degree will further their career plans. The statement of purpose must demonstrate the applicants’ ability to produce clear, cogent, and polished prose;
• a recent writing sample of seven to 10 pages. This writing should be analytic in nature. It may be from a previous course or it may be writing that the applicants have undertaken in a professional pursuit beyond the classroom;
• a statement with the applicants’ signature certifying that the writing sample is their own work;
• one set of official transcripts from all colleges attended;
• two letters of recommendation that speak to the applicants’ academic potential and/or their potential as future educators.

 

Applicants without an undergraduate major in English or a related field may be required to complete additional preparatory coursework in literature, linguistics, education or related field before being advanced to classified standing and filing the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).

 

Students must take ENG 700 as early as possible in the program (preferably during the first semester) and complete the course with a grade of B in order to continue with other courses in the program.

 

The master’s program permits students to include on their ATC only courses in which they have received grades of B or better.

 

Students completing this program are expected to be able to write prose publishable in academic journals.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Evaluation of the writing sample submitted as part of the application packet.

Level Two: Satisfactory completion of ENG 895.

 

English (M.A.): Concentration in Composition — 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Literature

Admission to Program

Applicants must meet general university requirements as stated in this Bulletin. Admission to the literature concentration is competitive.

 

In addition to the materials sent to the graduate admissions office, the applicants must submit the following items to the English Department. Contact the graduate secretary in English for the department application and deadlines:

• the departmental application;
• at least two academic letters of recommendation, preferably from a current or former literature professor;
• one official set of transcripts; a one to two page statement of purpose detailing why the applicant is interested in the study of literature;
• and a writing sample (a critical or scholarly essay of five to ten pages, preferably one written as part of a literature course).

 

If the applicant’s undergraduate record, writing samples, and letters of recommendation meet the basic requirements and give promise of a successful pursuit of graduate work, the department will recommend that the applicant be admitted either to classified graduate standing (which means that the student may immediately proceed to take graduate courses and seminars) or conditional standing, specifying the conditions and time limit within which they must be met.

 

To be considered for classified admission to the graduate program in Literature, an applicant must have (a) completed an undergraduate degree in English comparable to the undergraduate major program at SF State, and (b) have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.3 in the major. A classified graduate student is ready to take English 741, the seminar which functions as a “portal course” to further seminar work. Applicants whose undergraduate major was not English or whose GPA in the major falls below 3.3 may be given conditional admission. Applicants given conditional admission may not take seminars in the range 741-790 until they have achieved classified status.

 

There are three categories of conditional admission:

• With subject matter deficiency: Usually given to applicants with a 3.3 or higher GPA in an undergraduate major other than English with either some courses in literature (with a 3.3 or higher GPA) or a background showing substantial personal interest in literature. The applicant will be directed by a graduate advisor to complete course work in this university's undergraduate major, but such courses may not be credited toward the M.A. program.
• With a grade point average deficiency: Usually given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.3 in an undergraduate English major. The applicant is required to take 9 to 12 units of upper-division literature courses, with a GPA of at least 3.3 attained in them, before being admitted to graduate work. These courses may be credited toward the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Literature program. If the required GPA is not attained, the student will be disqualified from the M.A. program in literature.
• With both subject matter and GPA deficiency: The applicant is in conditional status as described in “grade point average deficiency” while earning undergraduate major units as described in “subject matter deficiency.”

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: The Graduate Literature Curriculum Committee will evaluate the writing sample submitted as part of the application packet for a) mechanics and usage of English, b) coherence and argumentation and c) understanding of the conventions of writing literary critical arguments.

 

Level Two: This requirement will be satisfied in one of two ways: 1) The CE thesis will be evaluated using a rubric addressing a) mechanics and usage of English, b) coherence and argumentation and c) understanding of the conventions of literary criticism. Students must score at least satisfactory on all three criteria to pass Level Two writing. Students who do not achieve these standards may revise and resubmit their thesis. 2) Students pursuing the CE exam will submit a seminar paper to be evaluated according to the criteria outlined above.

 

Program

The program consists of 10 courses (minimum 30 units) of which seven courses (minimum 21 units) must be graduate level courses. Of these graduate courses, six (18 units) must be English department courses, of which three (9 units) must be seminars from the 742 - 790 range, or ENG 820. Students may choose either an emphasis in General Studies or Special Studies. See guidelines for each emphasis after the Program Requirements.

 

English (M.A.): Concentration in Literature — 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: The only pedagogy courses that may be included among the electives are ENG 717: Projects in Teaching Literature and ENG 803: Teaching Assistant Practicum. ENG 704, ENG 705, and ENG 715 may not be included. Related courses from other departments (up to 6 units with approval of advisor) may be included.

 

Students must earn a grade of B or better in all courses listed on the ATC.

 

All students follow the General Studies Emphasis unless the Special Studies Emphasis is chosen before completing four of the required ten courses (see below).

 

General Studies Emphasis

Students are required to take one course from those listed below under the category Literary History, and one course from those listed under the category Literary Theories and Methods. The department recommends that students take at least two courses from each category.

 

Literary History

Graduate seminars: 711, 712, 750-789.

 

Literary Theories and Methods

Graduate seminars: 742, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 790, or classes approved by an advisor.

 

Early Period Requirement. Three of the 30 units in the General Studies Emphasis must be chosen from graduate courses in literature before 1800. The early period requirement may be met by courses that also fulfill the above listed program requirements (for example, the early period course might also count as the Literary History or Literary Theories and Methods required course, or it might count as an elective). Thus, the early period requirement is a distribution requirement, not a course requirement.

 

Special Studies Emphasis

The special studies emphasis is available to students whose proposed fields of study (for example, cultural criticism or reader response approaches to literature) do not fall readily within the Literary History and Literary Theories and Methods rubrics of the general studies emphasis. Students who wish to focus on special studies must define their course of study in a written proposal submitted early in their graduate career and before completing four of the required ten courses. The proposal must be approved and signed by a graduate advisor and by the English Department's graduate literature program coordinator.

 

The number of courses and seminars, graduate level courses, and electives selected individually by the student and proposed for the special studies emphasis must conform to the program requirements (see above).

 

Culminating Experience

All students, whether they are pursuing General or Special Studies Emphasis, must choose one of the following options:

 

1. Master's Thesis Before beginning writing the thesis, a student prepares a prospectus conducted by the two thesis readers. The prospectus is a written statement that typically indicates the controlling purpose of the thesis; the selection of literary materials; the relevant scholarship and criticism; and the value and interest of the study.
    
   A candidate who has failed the oral examination may not take it again before the next regular semester. A candidate who failed the examination twice will not be permitted to continue in the program for the M.A. in Literature. Consult The Prospectus and the Thesis handout available in the English Department for more information.
2. Written and Oral Examination. Students pursuing this option will be examined on texts in three fields of the discipline based on departmental reading lists and student’s special area of interest. One of the three fields must be pre-1800.
    
   A list of the required readings for each historical field is kept on file in the English Department. For each field, students will typically select 20 texts from a list of 30 primary texts, and 5 texts from a list of 10 works of criticism. The students’ CE exam, then, will typically be based on a total of 60 primary texts and 15 works of criticism.
    
   For each of their three fields, students will submit a 5 to 6-page written assignment. The CE culminates in a 90-minute oral examination. The exam will be conducted by three faculty members who will each examine the student in one of their three chosen fields.
    
   To receive Credit for ENG 896, students must pass all three sections of the CE Examination. It is up to each field examiner to determine a passing or failing grade of his or her field. A student who fails one of the three fields of the CE Examination may retake that one exam within the two weeks following the oral examination (if the oral examination is given by the 14th week of instruction; if the exam takes place after the 14th week of instruction, the exam will be conducted the following semester). A student who fails two or more fields of the CE Exam may retake the entire CE Exam for Credit the following semester.
    
   Consult the handout Procedures & Timeline For CE Exam (ENG 896) available in the English Department for more information.
    
   Candidates who have selected the thesis option (ENG 898) as their CE project may NOT switch to the exam option (ENG 896), or vice versa, except upon advisement.

 

Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Linguistics

Admission to Program

In addition to the materials sent to the graduate admissions office, the applicant must submit the following items to the English Department in order to be considered for admission:

• a one-to-two page typed statement of purpose detailing why the applicant is interested in the linguistics concentration;
• one set of official transcripts from all colleges attended;
• one or two letters of recommendation;
• one writing sample.

 

Prerequisites: In order to be fully classified, students must have already taken the equivalents, or take at SF State the following:

• Linguistics: ENG 421, 422, 424, and 425 (12 units).
• 10 units of a modern European language.
• One semester of a non-Indo-European language.

 

All linguistics courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in these courses with no grade lower than a B- to continue in the program.

 

Students whose native language is not English and whose B.A. was completed outside the United States must present evidence of a computer-based TOEFL score of at least 240 (Internet-based TOEFL: 95, paper-based TOEFL, 590) with a writing subscore of at least 4.5. (Internet-based writing score of at least 24). Applicants who do not meet this minimum TOEFL requirement will not be admitted; there is no conditional admission. A TOEFL score of 240 is considered to be very minimal; applicants who demonstrate stronger English proficiency with a higher TOEFL score (and higher writing subscore) will have a better chance of being recommended for admission to the program for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Linguistics.

 

In addition, non-native speakers of English must take the CMS Placement Test (CMSPT) for assessment of their English writing proficiency upon entry to the university. They may be required to take ENG 670 and/or other writing course(s).

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students will be evaluated for Level One proficiency in writing based on the 500-700 word personal statement as well as the writing sample that are submitted as part of their application to the M.A. program. Students whose writing ability is not satisfactory will be required to take a graduate-level composition course, such as ENG 670 or CHS 514. This course may not be used to fulfill other requirements for the degree.

Level Two: Satisfactory performance in ENG 895 or ENG 898.

 

English (M.A.): Concentration in Linguistics — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

and Foreign Language Requirement (see below)

 

During the second-to-last semester in the program, students are required to complete a form called the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC), which lists those courses they are using to fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Linguistics. Students must earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses listed in that document.

 

Master's Examinations. Failure in these examinations does not disqualify the candidate unless the examining committee so directs. The candidate may take the examinations twice, and, if failure occurs both times, will be disqualified from the graduate program.

 

Foreign Language Requirement. 10 semester units, or the equivalent, of a modern European language, plus a minimum of one semester or the equivalent of a non-Indo-European language is required of all candidates for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Linguistics. The student has the alternative of satisfying the foreign language requirement by examination. Units earned in foreign language study are not to be included in the student's Advancement to Candidacy (ATC).

 

Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Admission to Program

Applicants must meet all of the SF State Graduate Division's general admission requirements. Admission to the M.A. TESOL program is based on evaluation of the following:

• The quality of the applicant's previous academic record, which must show completion of a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited 4-year college with a GPA (grade point average) of no lower than 3.0 (B) in the last 60 units of undergraduate (and post-baccalaureate) study.
• A statement of purpose which indicates why graduate work in SF State's M.A. TESOL program is appropriate for the applicant's current academic interests and future academic and professional goals.

The GRE is not required. Letters of recommendation are also not required but are strongly recommended if the applicant's academic record is not strong.

 

Contact the graduate secretary in English for the department application and deadlines, or refer to matesol.sfsu.edu for more details about the application process.

 

Prerequisites: In order to be fully classified, students must meet the conditions below:

• Linguistics/Language Studies—If not waived based on previous course work, students must take the following at SF State: ENG 421, 424, 425, and 426 (12 units).
• Foreign Language Prerequisite Requirement—One semester's work (3 to 5 units) of one foreign language is required, to be taken concurrently with ENG 426, Second Language Acquisition. Both native and non-native speakers of English must fulfill this requirement. For non-native speakers of English, the foreign language can be English or another language.

 

ENG 421 and 424 may be taken concurrently with ENG 730. ENG 425 and 426 must be completed prior to ENG 730. All linguistics/language studies courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in these courses and no grade lower than a B- to continue in the program. Literature courses may be taken for a letter grade or credit if the courses selected permit the grading option desired.

 

Students whose native language is not English and whose B.A. was completed outside the United States must present evidence of a computer-based TOEFL score of at least 240 (Internet-based TOEFL: 95, paper-based TOEFL: 590) with a writing subscore of at least 4.5 (Internet-based writing score of at least 24). Applicants who do not meet this minimum TOEFL requirement will not be admitted; there is no conditional admission. A TOEFL score of 240 is considered to be very minimal; applicants who demonstrate stronger English proficiency with a higher TOEFL score (and higher writing subscore) will have a better chance of being recommended for admission to the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in TESOL.

 

In addition, non-native speakers of English and who are required to take the TOEFL, who are admitted, and who enroll, must take the CMS Placement Test (CMSPT) for assessment of their English writing proficiency upon entry to the university. They may be required to take ENG 670 and/or other writing course(s).

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: The Statement of Purpose submitted as part of the application process will be evaluated for proficiency in written English. Students whose writing ability is not satisfactory will be required to take a graduate-level composition course, such as ENG 670 or CHS 514. This course may not be used to fulfill other requirements for the M.A. Level Two: Satisfactory performance in ENG 891.

 

Teaching Experience

Students who have fewer than two years of ESL/EFL classroom teaching experience are required to get teaching experience before enrolling in ENG 733, Student Teaching. This requirement may be fulfilled by (a) enrolling in ENG 726, (b) an internship at the American Language Institute (http://bulletin.sfsu.edu/rsr/rnlfac/Research_and_Special_Learning_Facilities), or (c) approval by an advisor of sufficient prior teaching experience.

 

English (M.A.): Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Other graduate-level course in Linguistics approved by an advisor

 

Group III: Related Course (3 units)

Must be upper division (numbered 300 or above) or graduate level courses relevant to TESOL, language, or teaching, selected with the approval of an advisor.

 

During the second-to-last semester in the program, students are required to complete a form called the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC), which lists those courses they are using to fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in TESOL. Students must earn an overall GPA of 3.0 and a B- or better in all courses listed in that document.

 

Foreign Language Requirement. For native speakers of English, one semester's work (3-5 units), or its equivalent, in a non-Indo-European language is required in order to complete the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. With the approval of an advisor, an Indo-European language which differs considerably from English (e.g., Farsi, Hindi) may be substituted. American Sign Language (ASL) may also be used to fulfill this requirement. For non-native speakers of English, the foreign language requirement is waived. (However, note that the Foreign Language Prerequisite Requirement applies to all.)

 

Culminating Experience. Either the Master's Examinations or a Master's Thesis must be successfully completed by all candidates for the degree. The oral and written comprehensive examinations assess the ability of students to integrate the knowledge and experience they have acquired in this field. The examinations are on the content areas covered in the program with an emphasis on methodological facets of TESOL. The candidate may take the examinations twice and, if failing both times, will be disqualified from the graduate program.

 

A thesis, which investigates a subfield of inquiry within TESOL, must have the recommendation and approval of two faculty thesis advisors. All SF State specifications for completion of a master's thesis must be met. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass an oral defense.

 

Certificate in Immigrant Literacies

The Certificate in Immigrant Literacies is designed to provide academic training in the study of language, literacies, and the immigrant experience. The program integrates community service learning to enable certificate students to integrate their professional expertise and cross-disciplinary thinking with meaningful civic action.

 

Admissions Requirements and Application Process

All applicants must submit the following to the English Department:

• a short personal statement which outlines the applicants’ interests in immigrant language and literacy issues
• transcript, (official transcripts from all previous colleges attended; unofficial transcript from current program)
• current vita or résumé
• names and contact information for TWO references. (provide name, job title or relationship, address, phone number) and
• evidence of completion of the University’s Level I written English proficiency requirement*;
• for non-matriculated students only: documentation of a passing score on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE or GMAT; or a 3-4 page academic writing sample (e.g. research paper, grant proposal, publication).

 

*For matriculated graduate students in TESOL: Evidence of completion of the written English proficiency requirement is determined based on a satisfactory evaluation of the student’s Statement of Purpose, submitted to the department as part of the student’s original application to the MA TESOL program.

 

*For matriculated graduate students in other departments: Students should check the requirements as stipulated by their program area.

 

Applicants who are matriculated graduate students may enter the certificate program at any point after acceptance into a SF State graduate degree program. Graduate students who wish to apply must consult with their advisor immediately to find out how best to sequence their coursework to satisfy both home Department requirements and certificate requirements.

 

Applicants who are not currently matriculated in any SF State graduate degree program (e.g., in-service ESOL teachers, health professionals) must apply (via graduate admissions) and be admitted to the University and to the graduate certificate program. Acceptance into the program is with approval of the certificate program director and consent of program faculty following review of the application materials (listed above).

 

Students interested in admission to the certificate programs need not have completed undergraduate degree programs in English literature or language studies, nor do they need to be enrolled in master's programs offered in the Department of English. Graduate students from master's programs offered in this department should contact their advisors to find out how many of the certificate courses may be used towards meeting degree requirements in their MA program. Unclassified graduate students and candidates for degrees in other departments may be accepted into the program with the approval of the certificate faculty.

 

Out-of-state and international students are welcome to apply to the program. For applicants whose native language is not English: a recent internet based TOEFL (IBT) score of 95, with an essay rating of 24. Applicants who do not meet the minimum TOEFL requirement will NOT be admitted; there is NO conditional admission. A TOEFL score of 95 is considered to be very minimal; applicants who demonstrate stronger English proficiency with a higher TOEFL score (and higher essay rating) will have a better chance of being admitted.

 

Immigrant Literacies, Certificate — 12 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Certificate in the Teaching of Composition and

Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading

The Certificate in the Teaching of Composition and the Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading are designed to provide theoretical and pedagogical preparation for students who plan to teach writing and/or reading in post-secondary classrooms.

 

Admission to Program

For matriculated students, admission to either or both of the certificate programs requires completion of the internal English Department application, which should be submitted to the department.

 

This internal application is available in the main department office, or at english.sfsu.edu. Those seeking the Certificates in Teaching Composition or Post-secondary Reading must submit the application prior to their first semester of certificate coursework.

 

Anyone who wishes a certificate but is not currently a matriculated graduate student will need to apply to the university, using the published admissions process, before being considered for admission to the composition or reading certificate programs. For information about how to complete this application, students should consult the appropriate graduate coordinator of the Division of Graduate Studies.

 

Students interested in admission to the certificate programs need not have completed undergraduate degree programs in English literature or language studies, nor need they be enrolled in master's programs offered in the Department of English. Graduate students from master's programs offered in this department should contact their advisors to find out how many of the courses taken for the composition or reading certificates may be used to meet degree requirements in their MA program. Graduate students from masters programs offered in other departments should contact their advisor to find out how many of the courses taken for composition or reading certificates they may use to meet degree requirements in their MA program.

 

Upon completion of all the certificate courses, for the final award of the degree, students must fill out a CAP form (Certificate Approved Program) available on the Graduate Studies website, pay the $7.00 application fee at the Cashier's Office, and submit the form to the Composition Office in HUM 480 for the Certificates in the Teaching of Composition and Post-Secondary Reading, and to the English Department in HUM 484 for the Certificate in Immigrant Literacies. Contact the English department in HUM 484 with any questions.

 

All certificate candidates should familiarize themselves with the general guidelines for earning a certificate on this campus. A student planning to earn an undergraduate or graduate certificate must meet the requirements listed in the Certificate Programs section of this Bulletin. Any student who decides he/she wishes to apply for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Composition must consult his/her advisor immediately to find out how best to proceed.

 

Certificate in the Teaching of Composition

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students who are already matriculated in a graduate program on campus will have satisfied Level One via their home department’s criteria. Students who are matriculated in the certificate program only must submit a writing sample with their application.

Level Two: Students must earn a grade of B or better in ENG 700.

Teaching of Composition, Certificate  — 12 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students will meet Level One requirements in their home department.

Level Two: Students must earn a grade of B or better in all of the required courses.

Teaching Post-Secondary Reading, Certificate — 12 units

 

In order to be accepted to an undergraduate certificate program, a student must have completed 56 semester units of undergraduate course work with a 2.0 (C) grade point average. A maximum of 6 TPW advisor-approved transfer units is allowed toward the certificate.

 

Before completing the certificate, students must demonstrate appropriate writing competency by successful completion of the required 18 units of upper-division, writing-intensive TPW course work.

 

Technical and Professional Writing, Certificate — 24 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Note: All units applied to the TPW certificate must be earned with a grade of C or better.