Q 13) Is a portfolio or thesis required to graduate?

Yes, to graduate from the GS TESOL, students need to complete either a portfolio or a thesis. The portfolio is typically completed by the end of the second year of study and includes a presentation in front of a panel of faculty members. The thesis is a more intensive endeavor that first requires approval of a plan and a proposal, followed by assignment to an appropriate faculty advisor, before research can begin. The thesis may also require an additional semester for completion.