English as a second language (ESL) is an increasingly popular field with language skills in high demand.
This article provides an overview of the best accredited online and campus ESL education degrees, including program requirements, course offerings, and practical experience.
From certificates to advanced degrees, aspiring ESL educators can find the right program for their needs.
Overview of ESL Degree Programs
With the variety of degree programs available, ranging from certificates to doctorates, those interested in pursuing an ESL degree can find accredited online and campus programs to meet their needs. ESL degrees are offered by both traditional and online schools, with the majority of programs being at the graduate level.
Undergraduate programs typically prepare graduates to teach English as a second language in K-12 schools, while graduate-level programs are suitable for licensed teachers or those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Doctoral programs are ideal for those interested in research or teaching at the college or university level.
Schools offering ESL degrees include Georgetown University, University of Wisconsin, University of Washington, Ohio State University, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Best value schools with both online and campus ESL programs include University of Iowa, College of Charleston, Binghamton University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Arizona State University.
ESL Degrees and ESL Certification
ESL degrees and certification programs are offered both online and on-campus, and they are designed to meet the needs of varying educational and professional goals. These programs range from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees.
A majority of the programs are at the graduate level and will prepare graduates to teach English as a second language in K-12 settings. Graduate certificates are suitable for licensed teachers or those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject, while doctoral programs are ideal for those interested in research or teaching at the college or university level.
Top-ranked schools include Georgetown University, University of Wisconsin, and University of Washington. Additionally, there are a variety of value schools with on-campus and online programs offering bachelor’s, master’s, and graduate certificate programs.
Requirements for admission vary, but most schools require a minimum GPA and completion of a certain number of credit hours. Course offerings may include topics such as cross-cultural teaching and learning, biliteracy development, and methods and culture in TESOL.
Practical experience is also usually required, including student teaching placements, fluency demonstrations, and teaching assistantships.
Top-Ranked ESL Degree Programs
Top-ranked ESL degree programs include:
- Georgetown University’s (#17)
- University of Wisconsin’s (#53)
- University of Washington’s (#70)
- Ohio State University’s (#80)
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities’ (#92)
These programs offer a range of options, from certificate to doctoral degrees, and are suitable for licensed teachers or those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject.
Standouts include:
- Georgetown University (#17; on campus)
- University of Wisconsin (#53; on campus)
- University of Washington (#70; on campus)
- Ohio State University (#80; on campus)
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (#92; on campus)
Best Value Schools With On-Campus ESL Programs
For those seeking a top-value education in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), several on-campus programs offer great options. These include:
- University of Iowa’s M.Ed. TESOL
- College of Charleston’s MA TESOL
- Binghamton University’s Graduate Certificate ESOL and M.Ed. ESOL
- University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Master’s in ESL (online)
- Arizona State University’s Master’s in ESL (on campus)
All of these schools offer excellent, accredited courses and programs that prepare graduates to teach the English language to non-native speakers.
The University of Iowa’s program requires a minimum GPA of 2.8 and completion of 12 credit hours for admission.
College of Charleston’s program requires 32 credits for the MS program and 36 credits for the M.Ed. program.
Binghamton University’s program requires fluency in a second language and completion of a minimum of 44 credits for the MAT in ESOL.
Arizona State University’s program includes a practicum in an ESL classroom for hands-on teaching experience.
Best Value Schools With Online ESL Programs
For those looking for an affordable education in Teaching English as a Second Language, several online programs offer great value options. These include:
- University of Cincinnati – Online ESL Program
- University of Massachusetts Amherst – Master’s in ESL (online)
- Arizona State University – Master’s in ESL (on campus)
- University of Iowa – M.Ed. TESOL
- College of Charleston – MA TESOL
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Sixty-four colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in ESL. Admission requirements vary, but typically include a minimum GPA, completion of credit hours, and a fluency demonstration. Of these, Illinois State University offers a BS in Elementary Education: Bilingual/Bicultural Sequence. Ohio State University offers a BS in Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Texas A&M University offers a graduate program in English as a Second Language (ESL) for a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Education (M.Ed.). The University of Iowa provides teacher preparation programs for an English as a Second Language Added Endorsement Program. The University of Washington offers a Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT) of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
Such programs often offer core classes, field placements, and a practicum in teaching ESL.
Program Requirements
Aspiring ESL teachers must be aware of the individual requirements for each program in order to ensure a successful application. Programs vary in terms of their requirements, such as:
- Minimum GPA
- Credit hours
- Language fluency
- Teaching experiences
Illinois State University, for example, requires a minimum GPA of 2.8 and completion of 12 credit hours. Ohio State University prepares graduates for an initial multi-age teaching license through the Ohio Department of Education. Texas A&M University requires 32 credits for the MS program and 36 credits for the M.Ed. program.
The University of Iowa offers an English as a Second Language Added Endorsement Program for bachelor’s degree students. The University of Washington requires fluency in a second language and completion of a minimum of 44 credits for the MAT in ESOL.
Course Offerings
| Regularly, ESL degree programs offer courses in topics such as cross-cultural teaching, second language acquisition, and cultural foundations of education. | Course | University |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Cultural Teaching & Learning | Illinois State University | |
| Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | Ohio State University | |
| Analysis of Teaching Behavior | Texas A&M University | |
| EL Bridge Project | University of Iowa | |
| Theory and Practice of TESOL | University of Washington | |
| Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition | University of Washington |
These courses equip students with the necessary skills to teach English as a second language in diverse settings. With the right degree program, graduates can pursue teaching positions in K–12, higher education, or business and industry.
Practical Experience
Gaining practical experience in teaching ESL is essential for graduates of accredited degree programs. Many programs require field placements, teaching assistantships, and clinical student teaching.
For instance, Illinois State University requires clinical student teaching placements totaling over 300 clock hours in elementary classrooms. Ohio State University, on the other hand, requires a minimum of four field placements in TESOL at different grade levels.
Other examples of programs that provide practical experience in teaching ESL include:
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Texas A&M University, which offers opportunities to teach ESL in various settings, including kindergarten through 12th grade.
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The University of Iowa, where students can participate in a Practicum in Teaching ESL through a teaching assistantship.
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The University of Washington, which requires a fluency demonstration through a second-year university course or a language exam.
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Arizona State University, whose program includes a practicum in an ESL classroom for hands-on teaching experience.
Online and Hybrid Programs
| Subsequently, online and hybrid programs offer additional options for those seeking to earn an ESL degree, such as Arizona State University’s 30-credit graduate program or California University of Pennsylvania’s online Master of Education program. | Program | Location | Credits | Practicum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASU MA | On Campus | 30 | Yes | |
| CPU M.Ed. | Online | N/A | N/A | |
| WGU Endorsement | Online | N/A | N/A | |
| ASU TEFL | Online | N/A | No | |
| CPU ESL Cert. | Online | N/A | No |
Conclusion
In conclusion, a variety of quality, accredited ESL education degrees are available at both online and traditional universities.
These programs offer course offerings, program requirements, and practical experience necessary for becoming a qualified ESL educator.
Whether you are just starting out or a licensed teacher, there are numerous programs to choose from that can help you achieve your goals.
