Admission Requirements

Applicants to the TESL program will include individuals who are:

  • fluent speakers of English
  • hold the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree
  • MA graduates from the University of Kentucky or another university
  • currently enrolled in a UK world language or education program
  • classroom teachers seeking professional development
  • second-career professionals
  • international students 

Admission Requirements

  1. Completion of application questionnaire (Applicants are encouraged to attach their CV/resume and a personal statement.)
  2. For non-native speakers of English:  Applicants who are native speakers of a language other than English must demonstrate proficiency in English with a rating of a TOEFL iBT score of 88.
  3. For native speakers of English: Evidence of four semesters of college level instruction in a second language, or its equivalent. 
  4. minimum 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in any previous graduate work
  5. 3 letters of recommendation
  6. interview by a member of the program faculty

All program inquiries should be addressed to:

Dr. Sihui Echo Ke
Interim Director of TESL MA Program
Assistant Professor
Modern and Classical Languages
1471 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

e-mail:  sihui.ke@uky.edu
Phone:  (859) 323-7307

Application:  TESL MA applications are processed through the Graduate School. 

Go to:  https://gradschool.uky.edu/application-process

Application Deadline: 

  • Fall semester admission– April 15
  • Spring semester admission- September 15

Concurrent Degree:  The TESL program can be combined with any MCLLC MA Program

Go to:  MCLLC Graduate Programs/Concurrent Graduate Degree Options