Teacher of English as a Second Language Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

National Standardized Admission Test Requirement

Applicants to non-degree TESL or Bilingual programs who do not already hold a CEAS or standard certificate must provide official GRE scores with a minimum composite Verbal and Math score of 310 and a Writing score of 4 or pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams. Applicants to the MEd TESL program (who hold the above-required certificate) are required to take the GRE unless they meet the criteria of the waiver policy.

Applicants should request that a score report be sent to The College of New Jersey (Code #R2519). The test scores must arrive by the application deadline. Test scores may not be more than five years old.

» View Graduate Admission Testing Information and Waivers

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants to TESL programs must present an undergraduate major (or 30 semester hours) in a liberal arts and science major or 60 semester-hour credits in liberal arts/sciences coursework. The undergraduate program must include English—two college-level courses minimum; Mathematics—two college-level courses minimum; Science—two college-level courses minimum; Social Studies—two college-level courses minimum (one of the courses must be U.S. History). An educational psychology course is a required pre-requisite for individuals who do not already hold a teaching certificate. Applicants must possess proven oral and written proficiency in the English language. All students who attend a non-U.S. Institution must have all of their educational documents translated into English and evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an accredited agency as to the U.S. equivalency of their coursework. (see http://www.naces.org/members.htm for an agency listing)

Copy of Teacher Certification

Applicants to TESL programs must provide the specified teaching certificate. View Teacher Certification Details

MEd Teacher of English as a Second Language
Copy of any teaching certificates currently held must be provided when applying to the MEd TESL program.

Certification – Bilingual Education
A teaching certificate is required for applicants to the Bilingual endorsement certificate, which is only for certified teachers with a teaching credential in a subject area (general elementary or secondary math, science, social studies, etc.).

Graduate Application Requirements

Application Form

All applications should be submitted online. If internet access is not available/extenuating circumstances exist, please contact graduate@tcnj.edu.

» How to Apply

Application Fee

The application fee is currently $75. Applications cannot be reviewed without payment of this fee, and fees are non-refundable. This fee is waived for students who formerly enrolled at TCNJ. A check or money order payable to The College of New Jersey must be included in the envelope of supplemental documents. Do not send cash. Please print the applicant’s name on the front of the check or money order.

Transcripts

An official transcript is required from each college you have attended other than The College of New Jersey. Official transcripts from each institution you attended should be requested for The College of New Jersey and must arrive before the appropriate deadline.

If your transcripts come to us under a different last name (i.e., a maiden name), please inform our office by e-mail at graduate@tcnj.edu.
Transcripts are accepted as official when received in their original sealed envelope. Transcripts stamped “Issued to Student” cannot be accepted as official.
The College of New Jersey will accept electronic transcripts for enrollment purposes if certain criteria are met regarding the transcript. Please see Acceptance of Electronic Transcripts (e-transcripts) for Enrollment Purposes.
All students who attend a non-U.S. Institution must have all their educational documents translated into English and evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an accredited agency regarding the U.S. equivalency of their coursework. (see http://www.naces.org/members.htm for an agency listing)

Recommendations

Please provide letters of recommendation from two individuals who can evaluate your academic performance, relevant work experience, and/or ability to pursue graduate study. Please provide this letter of recommendation to an individual who can evaluate your academic performance, relevant work experience, and/or ability to pursue graduate study. For those who are applying to any of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Graduate Certificates, program references are required to come from a healthcare professional in a supervisory position, not a peer. For example, a recent faculty member, nurse practitioner, physician, unit educator, charge nurse, or managing clinician. A Master’s degree or higher is preferred.

Letters of recommendation should be sent electronically through your graduate application. When filling out the application, please submit the recommender’s contact information in the ‘Recommendations’ section of the application. The recommender will receive an automated request, including an upload link to which they can attach their letter of recommendation. Upon submission, the letter will automatically attach to the application portal.
Letters of recommendation may still be submitted via mail to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education. These letters will be uploaded to your application portal.
Recommendation letters are not required for non-matriculation applications.

Student Essay

A student essay is required with all completed applications. The essay may be included with the supplemental documents noted above or uploaded through the online application.

The essay should not exceed two pages.
The essay should be a personal statement expressing your professional goals and reasons for wanting to enroll as a graduate student at The College of New Jersey.
Your essay should mention the challenges, questions and successes you face as a classroom teacher and how this program may help you address, explore and enhance those aspects of your teaching.

Resume / CV

A resume/CV is required and may be uploaded through the online application. A bulleted list of activities with participation dates should accompany your resume/CV.

International Applicants

The College of New Jersey welcomes applications from students outside the United States. In addition to the standard supplement documents required, international applicants must have score reports submitted for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if their native language is not English and must complete the International Student Admissions Handbook for F-1 Students (including an Affidavit of Financial Support as well as additional forms which are included and explained in the handbook). Your completed handbook, along with supporting documents must be submitted to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education, PO Box 7718, Ewing, NJ 08628. Please note that international applicants must apply early as it takes time to complete the visa process.
All students who attend a non-U.S. Institution must have all their educational documents translated into English and evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an accredited agency regarding the U.S. equivalency of their coursework. (see http://www.naces.org/members.htm for an agency listing)
An I-20 cannot be issued until the student is officially admitted to The College. Please visit the International Student Services website for more information, including the required forms.
The College of New Jersey offers a number of degree and certification programs at overseas/international locations. Students planning to attend an overseas/international site do not require an I-20 or an Affidavit of Financial Support.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Deposit

Upon acceptance, matriculated students must submit a $100.00 enrollment deposit to secure their seats.
This enrollment deposit is non-refundable but will be entered as a credit toward the student’s account.
Payment of enrollment deposit can be made online through PAWS, or a check or money order payable to The College of New Jersey may be included with the completed acceptance form. (Please print the applicant’s name on the front of the check or money order.) Do not send cash.
If the enrollment deposit and acceptance form in the admission packet are not returned by the date specified in the acceptance letter, the seat will be offered to another applicant.