Online Master’s In TESOL and ESL Programs

A public college in Kentucky, Murray State offers one of the state's top online master's in TESOL and ESL programs. Students earning the MA in TESOL develop skills in linguistics, culture, language teaching, and assessment. The program offers several start dates throughout the year.

The degree requires at least 30 credits, including core courses and electives. Learners gain foundational skills in teaching methods. They also study curriculum design and testing and evaluation. Degree-seekers complete an internship. Most students undertake a teaching internship. However, learners can also pursue an internship in research and materials design.

While Murray State offers all required courses online, the program typically offers only 1-2 online courses each semester. Online students can complete internship requirements locally. Most students earn the online master's in TESOL and ESL in 24-36 months.

Serving domestic and international students, SEMO's online master's in TESOL and ESL focuses on linguistic knowledge and teaching skills. The online program includes no on-campus sessions. Degree-seekers design and develop their own language instruction program.

The 33-credit curriculum includes 27 core credits and six elective credits. Core coursework explores curriculum design and research methods. Students also learn materials development. Elective options include intercultural awareness and trends in English instruction. Another elective is computer-assisted language learning.

SEMO offers three capstone options. They include a thesis, a non-thesis graduate paper, and a portfolio. Students who opt for the portfolio or non-thesis track take a comprehensive final exam. The thesis track requires an oral defense.

A midsize public college based in western New York, SUNY Brockport serves about 8,000 students annually. The school's online master's in TESOL and ESL prepares graduates to teach K-12 English language learners globally. Most degree-seekers already hold a New York state teaching license. The program prepares learners to obtain an ESOL endorsement.

The 30-credit curriculum covers diversity in education and teaching reading. Courses also explore linguistics research. Students take a course in methods and materials focused on either grades K-6 or 5-12.

During a 25-hour field experience, ESL degree-seekers observe teaching practices in an ESL classroom. Learners also complete a 20-day summer teaching practicum. In the practicum, students work directly with English language learners.

A major public college, UNI enrolls more than 9,500 students online and on campus in Cedar Falls. UNI offers an online master's in TESOL and ESL program. The degree appeals to students who want to teach in K-12 schools, community colleges, or overseas English programs. The curriculum fulfills requirements for Iowa's ESL teaching endorsement.

Degree-seekers complete 33-34 credits. Most students graduate in about two years. The curriculum features courses in bilingualism and bilingual education. Other courses include cultural aspects of language and second-language acquisition. An optional one-credit thematic research course prepares students to write research papers.

UNI offers the program fully online, with no required campus visits. However, online students attend weekly synchronous Zoom sessions. Students complete an in-person TESOL practicum locally.

A public college based in Huntsville, Texas, SHSU offers a master of education in TESOL. The program focuses on instructional theories and research-based teaching practices. Graduates receive a second-language instruction certificate with no extra coursework.

The 30-credit curriculum features 18 core credits. Core classes cover foundational topics such as applied linguistics and second language assessment. Other core concepts include ESL methodology. Elective options explore specialized topics including gaming and literacy. Students also learn digital literacy and language arts instruction.

Students can complete an ESL practicum in an education environment. Participants in the 45-hour practicum observe practicing ESL teachers. They also prepare their own ESL lessons under close supervision. Students earning the master's in TESOL and ESL online can complete the practicum at a local approved site.

A public college, UMBC features an online master's in TESOL and ESL program. Degree-seekers gain strong theoretical and practical knowledge for language instruction. UMBC offers many degree pathways and rolling admissions. Students can enroll for the fall, spring, or summer semester. UMBC delivers the TESOL program in online and hybrid formats.

Degree-seekers complete 39-51 credits. UMBC offers a 36-credit general track, a 39-credit thesis track, and a 42-credit P-12 certification track. A combined thesis/P-12 certification option requires 51 credits.

Regardless of track, all program participants complete a core curriculum. Core coursework explores learning and cognition and ESL teaching methods. Learners also explore cross-cultural communication. The thesis track includes six credits of thesis research. The certification track includes a nine-credit internship in an ESL education setting.

A public Georgia college, KSU provides a master of education in TESOL. The online master's in TESOL and ESL program prepares learners to instruct students in linguistically and culturally diverse environments. New students begin during the summer semester. Most learners graduate in 18-24 months.

The 36-credit curriculum includes coursework in curriculum development. Students analyze teacher inquiry and research. They also study teaching strategies in reading and writing. Degree-seekers complete a TESOL practicum. Students receive an ESOL endorsement after completing their first two semesters.

Program applicants must hold a clear, renewable Georgia teaching license. Applicants submit a personal statement, a resume, and two recommendation letters. KSU may require an admission interview.

Based in Virginia Beach, Regent serves more than 11,000 students. The Christian school features an online master's in TESOL and ESL program that focuses on adult education. Regent offers eight annual start dates.

TESOL degree-seekers complete 30 credits. The curriculum highlights standards-based methods for evaluating language learning. Degree-seekers prepare to instruct adults learning English as a foreign language. Courses explore developmental leadership and technology in education. Another course covers language teaching approaches and practices.

Rather than submitting a statement of purpose or writing sample, applicants answer a short questionnaire about their professional interests and career goals. Applicants may also need to participate in a phone or in-person interview.

A public college based in Russellville, ATU offers an online master's in TESOL and ESL program. The program prepares teachers and other educational professionals to work with English language learners. Graduates can add an ESL endorsement to their Arkansas teaching license.

Students complete at least 30 credits, including 12 core credits and 18 elective credits. Coursework introduces key TESOL topics including second-language acquisition. Other topics include ESL assessment and teaching people of other cultures. Students choose from electives such as language and society and composition for teachers. Linguistics for ESL teachers is another elective option.

Degree-seekers complete either a practicum or a comprehensive exam. The practicum features hands-on experience in a TESOL teaching environment.

UNC Charlotte is a major public research college. The school enrolls more than 30,000 students on campus and online. Students can earn a master's in TESOL and ESL online. The program focuses on social justice. Learners explore advocacy and equity issues about English language learning. UNC Charlotte offers rolling admissions, with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer.

Applicants must hold UNC Charlotte's TESOL graduate certificate. The master's in TESOL qualifies holders for advanced teaching licensure in the state. Degree-seekers complete an electronic portfolio in preparation for advanced licensure.

The TESOL certificate requires 18 credits. The master's in TESOL curriculum comprises an additional 12 credits. Required courses cover teacher leadership, advanced pedagogy, and professional development.