Director's Message
Welcome to the MA in TEFL at Bilkent University.
Grounded in current work in applied linguistics and language education, our programme helps practising and aspiring educators deepen their understanding of English language teaching through rigorous research, academic inquiry, and practical pedagogical development. With a strong emphasis on research, academic writing, and thesis-based study, it prepares graduates to contribute thoughtfully and professionally to the field in a range of academic and professional contexts.
Welcome to the MA in TEFL at Bilkent University.
Grounded in current work in applied linguistics and language education, our programme helps practising and aspiring educators deepen their understanding of English language teaching through rigorous research, academic inquiry, and practical pedagogical development. With a strong emphasis on research, academic writing, and thesis-based study, it prepares graduates to contribute thoughtfully and professionally to the field in a range of academic and professional contexts.
About the Program
At a Glance
The MA in TEFL is a thesis-based programme that combines a focused core, flexible electives, and a structured thesis pathway. It is designed to develop students’ grounding in applied linguistics, research capability, and academic communication for English language education, with particular strength in English-medium instruction (EMI) and Academic English contexts.
Structure
The programme consists of 30 credits of coursework and a thesis, including:
Core Courses
Core courses establish the shared foundation students need to:
Electives
Electives allow students to specialise in areas aligned with their goals and research interests. Offerings may vary by year.
Thesis Pathway
Students complete a thesis supported by Thesis Seminar and Thesis Writing, which guide the main stages of the research process: topic development, proposal and ethics preparation, data collection and analysis, thesis writing, and oral defence.
At a Glance
- Credits: 30
- Entry term: Primarily Fall
- Duration: Approximately 2-3 years full-time or about 3 years part-time
- Format: Full-time / Part-time
- Class schedule: All classes are delivered after 4:30 p.m.
- Delivery mode: On campus (face-to-face)
- Application deadline: By the end of the first week of June for Fall intake
The MA in TEFL is a thesis-based programme that combines a focused core, flexible electives, and a structured thesis pathway. It is designed to develop students’ grounding in applied linguistics, research capability, and academic communication for English language education, with particular strength in English-medium instruction (EMI) and Academic English contexts.
Structure
The programme consists of 30 credits of coursework and a thesis, including:
- 3 core credit-bearing courses
- 7 elective credit-bearing courses
- 2 non-credit components: Thesis Seminar and Thesis Writing
- 2 GE-coded graduate courses
Core Courses
Core courses establish the shared foundation students need to:
- Develop advanced research knowledge through a carefully sequenced core in research methods, ethics, and academic practices.
- Strengthen academic literacy and scholarly communication through sustained engagement with written academic discourse and discipline-appropriate conventions.
- Undertake independent, supervised research through Thesis Seminar and Thesis Writing, which guide proposal development, execution, and completion.
- Engage ethically and professionally in academic research and wider scholarly practices.
Electives
Electives allow students to specialise in areas aligned with their goals and research interests. Offerings may vary by year.
Thesis Pathway
Students complete a thesis supported by Thesis Seminar and Thesis Writing, which guide the main stages of the research process: topic development, proposal and ethics preparation, data collection and analysis, thesis writing, and oral defence.
Program Leadership & Course Instruction
The MA in TEFL Program is led by Dr. Necmi Akşit as Program Director.
Teaching in the program is supported by faculty members whose expertise aligns with the curriculum and program needs.
In the current semester, TEFL-coded courses are taught by
Dr. Necmi Akşit (courses)
Dr. Tijen Akşit (courses)
Dr. Duygu Fatma Şafak (courses)
