Can the TESOL programs be completed entirely by home study?

There are 2 x 4-day residential sessions required for the Ed.D. and MA in TESOL programs. The Graduate Diploma in TESOL, TESOL Certificate & Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) programs are 100% online with no residential requirements

Where are the Ed.D and MA TESOL on-campus residential sessions held?

Residential sessions are held in California and other select locations. In the past, residential sessions have been held at California State University Fullerton (Fullerton, California); Alliant International University (San Diego, California); University of Hawaii (Honolulu, Hawaii); Sookmyung Women's University (Seoul, Korea), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Seoul, Korea); Universidad de la Sabana (Bogota, Colombia), and in classroom facilities in Tokyo, Japan.

What is the schedule for the Ed.D. and MA TESOL residential sessions?

Click here to see the MA TESOL Course Schedule.
Click here to see the Ed.D TESOL Course Schedule .

Please note that these dates are tentative and subject to change.

How much time do students spend on campus in Ed.D. and MA TESOL residential sessions?

The average residential session begins on a Thursday and ends on the following Sunday, or runs from a Saturday to the following Tuesday. Students normally spend approximately 27 hours in the classroom per session.

What do I do if I am unable to attend a scheduled Ed.D or MA TESOL residential session?

If a student is unable to attend a scheduled residential session, s/he may attend a different residential session in the future. In such an event, this may cause a delay in the student's degree completion process.

Does Anaheim University provide dormitories at Ed.D. and MA TESOL residential sessions?

Currently, the University does not provide dormitory rooms for students attending residential sessions. However, a number of hotels located in close proximity to the residential sessions offer discounts to Anaheim University students attending the residential sessions. This information is provided to students prior to the sessions.

Can I take the two required residential sessions at the same time?

No. Classes for the two residential sessions are held at the same time in different classrooms, making it impossible to attend both during one residential session.

Is there a practicum? Will I have to do student teaching?

We generally only accept experienced teachers into the Ed.D and MA TESOL programs, as we believe that a masters degree is a post, not pre-experience degree. There is no provision for a practicum, because the assumption is that those doing the degree will be teaching at the same time as they do the degree. During the course they are encouraged, and indeed expected, to apply the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in studying for the degree to their daily teaching lives. There is no practicum in the degree for two reasons. Firstly, it is neither necessary nor feasible for practicing teachers, who are working full-time, to take time out for practicum placement. Secondly, the cost of arranging and paying for supervision is very high and would significantly increase the cost of the degree. It is therefore assumed that people without experience who apply for and are accepted into the course are aware of this, and will arrange for practical experience, both observing experienced teachers in action and being observed doing some teaching themselves. It is quite rare for individuals without experience to apply for and be accepted into the course. We do not have teaching experience as an entry requirement, as it then becomes a Catch 22 for individuals who want to break into the field. The classroom management and observation course requires some contact with classroom instruction. Occasionally we have experienced teachers doing the course who are not currently teaching and who, for various reasons (e.g. young children at home) have difficulty getting access to classrooms. In this case, we negotiate alternative options for them. There is no doubt that individuals with no experience whatever are at a disadvantage. However, as indicated above, there are ways of compensating for this, and we do our best to help them deal with this disadvantage.