Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a career that offers many opportunities. It’s also an important component of social justice. The English language has become a very important language on the international stage. It is the language of global business. It has never been more important than now. This means the English language is considered an essential language in many countries. People with a master’s degree in TESOL (also known as ESL) teach in various settings. They teach ESL students at the elementary through secondary education in the United States, naturally. But there are also opportunities to teach in countries around the world. Many countries prefer to have English language classes taught by those for whom English is their native language. One might ask, how do you teach a language to people when you don’t speak their language? Well, the methods you learn in your TESOL courses will train you to teach people the English language even when you don’t speak their language. In countries where the English language isn’t the primary language, foreign language teachers will often have bilingual co-teachers who assist with instruction. Degrees in the social sciences might be good to pair with a TESOL master’s online. Especially if you plan to teach in another country.
If you’re looking into a TESOL master’s degree, you’re probably already in education. Maybe you have your bachelor’s degree in education, or even a master’s degree. Online master in TESOL programs are perfect for busy professionals. They provide a flexible online master program that can adapt to your needs. It’s no secret that teachers don’t make nearly as much as they should in the United States. So, cost is always a factor. That’s why we’ve compiled this ranking of the most affordable TESOl masters online degrees. All the schools featured here are regionally accredited. One final note for international students. Some of these programs may accept international students. Whether or not those programs will be useful to you in your own country is uncertain. The likelihood is greater if you are also a certified teacher in your country. Many ESL programs in countries outside the US require some form of licensure on the part of the person with the degree.
For more information on TESOL master’s online programs and TESOL as a career, check out the FAQ following this ranking!
#1. Greensboro College
Greensboro College offers an online TESOL master’s degree. The program has a licensure component. This means it is focused on licensing teachers to teach in a K-12 setting. Fall and spring semester courses are offered online. The summer semester is residential with affordable room and board. To be clear, the summer semester is optional. The degree can be completed entirely online.
- Tuition: $5,500
#2. Arizona State University Online
This TESOL masters online degree is offered in a fully online format. Each course takes between seven and eight weeks to complete. This means that the program can be completed in just over nine months if you take two courses at a time. The focus is on those who wish to teach the English language internationally. Students will study topics like computer assisted language learning and critical pedagogy. You will also learn curriculum development. Part of the program also focuses on English as an international language and English grammar for TESOL.
- Tuition: $6,724
#3. Valley City State University
Valley City offers a program in Teaching English Language Learners online as a concentration in their Master of Education program. Students will take online courses like supervision and assessment of teachers and learners. They also study assessment strategies for English Language Learners and foundations of bilingual education. Other courses include action research in education and language and culture. Of course applied linguistics for ELL teachers and issues in school, community, and family will also be covered.
- Tuition: $7,473
#4. Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers a master’s in ESL online. It’s for licensed teachers who want to earn an English Language Learner or English as a Second Language endorsement. Most graduates finish the program within 18 months (three six-month terms). At WGU, the program is not billed per-credit, but per-term. This means that you will pay less if you finish faster. The program can be completed in 12 months, cutting 1/3 of the cost off the average finishing time. Students will study culture, and language production, theory, and acquisition. They will also study theories of second language acquisition and grammar, and assessment theory and practice. Western Governors is a 100% online college. One of the only non-profit 100% online colleges in the country. It is considered one of the best online schools for education programs.
- Tuition: $7,790
#5. Greenville University
The online MA in education Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program at Greenville is a 31-credit degree. It takes two years to complete. Students who already hold a teaching license in Illinois can complete 100 hours of field experience. This is the state board requirement for TESL approval. Graduates will be qualified to work as language program administrators. They will also be qualified as language testers, and able to teach in the classroom.
- Tuition: $8,082
#6. Liberty University
The MA in Teaching English Second Language degree at Liberty University is a 30-credit program with an average completion rate of one year. The online courses are eight weeks long. Students can transfer up to 50% of their degree if they are moving from another school. Students will take courses like English as a world language and cultural anthropology. They will study second language acquisition, methods and materials for TESL, and teaching grammar, lexicon, and pronunciation. Liberty is a Baptist university. Students can expect a conservative Christian perspective in many of the courses.
- Tuition: $8,349
#7. Ana G. Mendez University
Ana G. Mendez University is a Florida college that offers a highly flexible online TESOL program. Each course can be completed in just 7 weeks. Classes are also offered in Spanish, which is a unique feature of this program unavailable from most schools. The goal of the program is to prepare students with the leadership skills to assume positions of leadership in ESL education. Making them qualified for positions like ESL program director.
- Tuition: $8,640
#8. Concordia University-Nebraska
Concordia University-Nebraska is a Lutheran university. Students can expect courses to reflect the Christian values of the institution. The online TESOL master’s offers courses like research evaluation and design, and second language acquisition. They will study the psychological foundations of teaching and learning. Especially as it applies to English language learners. They will also take an ESL/TESOL capstone. Students will also do a 45-hour practicum in the field.
- Tuition: $8,650
#9. Campbellsville University
This online TESOL masters will help you understand basic linguistics concepts and vocabulary. The program examines how culture and language are connected. And also how they influence each other. Especially as it relates to second language acquisition. It is designed to help you introduce students to new speech sounds, among many other topics. The non-thesis program is 36 credits, while the thesis program is 39 credits. Applicants for whom English is a second language must score an 80 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam.
- Tuition: $8,773
#10. Wilmington University
Wilmington University offers an online graduate certificate in English for Speakers of Other Languages. It’s a dual-credit certificate. Credits can count toward your master’s in education program. You will take courses like knowledge about language, and English language learners in the sociocultural context. You will also take courses on second language acquisition, planning and implementing instruction, and assessment and evaluation. The program also provides training in professionalism and leadership.
- Tuition: $8,834
#11. Wilson College
This master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages online is for those already certified to teach PK-12. The program will not make you eligible to be licensed to teach in education generally. Students will study things like applied linguistics and second language acquisition. However, it does have an ESL certification track for those who want to be certified in ESL. The program is offered 100% online. Students do have the option to take some of the classes face-to-face.
- Tuition: $9,990
#12. Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca Nazarene University is an evangelical Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. The online master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program provides licensed teachers a way to earn their ESL endorsement. It also provides non-licensed teachers with ESL education. This can be used in a variety of contexts outside of the public school system.
- Tuition: $8,982
#13. Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University has offered an online TESOL master’s since 2008. Program graduates have gone on to teach at universities around the globe. Japan and Saudi Arabia for example. They have taught at the K-12 level in the U.S. and Italy. They have also secured positions at private language schools in Ukraine and China. Courses include sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and materials development and assessment tools for TESOL.
- Tuition: $10,792
#14. Ohio Dominican University
The 100% online master’s degree in TESOL features many useful courses. This includes descriptive languages and language acquisition and development. Students will study cultural diversity and second language acquisition. They’ll discover resources for ESOL and content instruction. They learn about assessment of ESOL learners and instructional methods for post-secondary TESOL. If you already have your master’s in education, you can opt for the TESOL graduate certificate. The TESOL endorsement is also an option.
- Tuition: $11,106
#15. Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin offers a full-on TESOL masters online. Students can also take ESL licensure as a minor while earning a different online master’s degree. This means that as long as you’re getting an education master’s, you can still get your ESL endorsement. That kind of flexibility is immensely useful. Students study cross cultural communication and basic English linguistics. They learn various methods of teaching ESL and second language acquisition theory. And they’ll learn how to employ observation and analysis techniques to aid their students.
- Tuition: $11,460
#16. Biola University
Biola University is an evangelical Christian university. It’s committed to providing biblically centered training in TESOL Accomplished through their 100% online TESOL program. The program can be completed in four semesters if taken full-time. It can be completed in six to eight semesters part-time, depending on your course load. If you have a bachelor’s degree in TESOL, you may be eligible for the one-year master’s in TESOL program online.
- Tuition: $11,772
#17. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Indiana Wesleyan’s offers the Master of Science with a major in English as a new language. This is for licensed teachers with a year of teaching experience under their belt. The school offers both licensure and non-licensure programs. The licensure program is designed to meet the licensure requirements of the state of Indiana. It may not meet the requirements of other states. Students will take courses like second language acquisition in classroom instruction. They’ll also study instructional strategies for the CLD/ENL student. Students will also learn about developing vital partnerships and advocacy in a CLD/ENL program.
- Tuition: $11,977
#18. Missouri Western State University
Missouri Western State University offers a master’s in TESOL online, with the option to go for an endorsement to teach in K-12 schools. There is also an endorsement and non-endorsement option for their graduate certificate programs. The endorsement options provide the students with professional certification. This certifies them to teach English as a second language in the state of Missouri. It is also guaranteed to apply in reciprocal-licensure states. If you don’t live in a reciprocating state, you may want to make sure the program meets your state’s requirements. States will post their licensure requirements publicly. This allows you to determine if a program meets those standards. However, this information can be difficult to parse. You may want to seek professional assistance or ask somebody from your state licensing organization. Letters of recommendation never hurt either.
- Tuition: $12,212
#19. St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University offers a Master of Arts in TESL. It’s designed to qualify graduates for licensure to teach ESL in the state of Minnesota. This program requires an introductory course in linguistics and at least one year of college. Alternatively two years of high-school study in one second language or equivalent. Equivalent generally means having acquired a second language by other means. This option may require a demonstration of proficiency.
- Tuition: $12,904
#20. Rowan University
Rowan University offers a graduate certificate in ESL. The credits can be applied toward the online Master of Education in teacher leadership. This is a great combination. Why? It puts you in a great position to teach in ESL programs, and even to run ESL programs if that’s what you want to do. Once you’ve earned the graduate certificate, you will be qualified to teach ESL in K-12 schools in the state of New Jersey.
- Tuition: $15,787
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to know about affording my TESOL degree?
The programs featured here are the cheapest online master’s in TESOL programs you can find in the US. So you’re already off to a great start! Most colleges offer some level of financial aid to their graduate students. Typically not as much as undergraduate students get though. This is why affordability is so important. A cheap program should go a long way toward helping to pay for your degree.
The federal TEACH Grant program offers up to $4,000 per year for students seeking K-12 licensure. If you pick one of the online TESOL licensure programs, this should be available to you. Check with your prospective college’s financial aid department to confirm this, though. The cheapest online TESOL master’s programs on here are cheap enough that you might be able to afford the rest of your tuition out of pocket. Even with just a few sources of financial aid. Additionally there are many scholarship and grant programs to support teachers at both the state and federal level. It seems like they are trying to find more incentives for teachers every year. A good financial aid office will be well aware of these options. If that’s still not enough, student loans are available to graduate students.
Will I be able to teach in American public schools with my degree?
Most every program featured here will allow you to become licensed to teach TESOL at the K-12 level. Those with a bachelor’s degree in some kind of education will find it easier to get licensure with some of the programs here. Especially in the state where the college is located. Many states have regional reciprocal licensing arrangements with other states in the region. As to whether or not the degree will allow you to teach outside of those contexts, that’s something you will have to research for yourself. It’s different for everyone based on where they live. Unfortunately, teacher licensing in the U.S. is difficult. Each state sets its own licensing standards. Without much unification of licensing standards in the country, all a college can do is design its program to be as broadly acceptable as possible. Few programs, if any, are universally acceptable. One thing I have noticed when looking at the curricula of the degrees featured here is that they all seem fairly similar. There are only minor differences based on the focus of the degree. But, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you need to choose an out-of-state program, you will probably have to contact the licensing board for relevant information. Many states are growing more and more desperate for teachers, and are willing to make exceptions. Some will even offer to comp whatever courses it might take for you to meet their standards.
Will I be able to teach in other countries with a TESOL master’s?
Generally speaking, yes! However, there are some caveats. Many state-run school systems in other countries still prefer that their foreign language teachers have a local license. Some may accept just a state TESOL K-12 license. Others will require both a full teaching license and a TESOL K-12 endorsement or license. There are private schools and international schools in many countries that don’t require their teachers to have any license. Instead, they just require the relevant degrees. Their requirements can also vary quite a bit. My advice would be to take a look at the countries in which you are considering teaching. Check their requirements, and then see which of the online TESOL master’s degrees will enable you to meet those requirements. You can also contact the admissions department of schools you’re interested in. Ask them what countries and states their graduates work in. Good admissions departments will have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Is teaching the English language to speakers of other languages a good career?
It’s certainly a career with a wide variety of opportunities. One can make a good salary with a career teaching English outside the United States. And if you’re worried about whether or not online learning is accepted, you’re in luck. Because of the busy schedules most teachers face. Online learning is by far the most common way for teachers to earn their master’s. The demand tends to be higher and supply of teachers with English as their first language is lower. In the United States, TESOL instructors tend to earn around the same as other teachers. After getting some experience, however, you could move into an administrative position in a TESOL program and get a nice bump in pay. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over the next 10 years, teaching jobs in general will be in decline in the United States. It doesn’t have any data on overseas jobs. So, the best job prospects will probably be those teaching English in other countries. Additionally, the BLS data doesn’t include those teaching English in adult ESL programs, at the college level, or through community organizations or private lessons. That’s all statistics though, and the predictions change from year to year. If Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is what you want to do, then it’s a good career choice. Especially if traveling and living in other countries appeals to you.
Are these the best online TESOL colleges?
There’s not a lot of programs you could argue are better than the ones you see here. There are a lot of great online learning colleges offering Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages programs. We don’t include for-profit schools like Grand Canyon University in most of our rankings mostly because they tend to be much more expensive than the affordable options we find. Other great, but more expensive schools that didn’t make the list are Northern Arizona University, Kennesaw State University, Mercy College, Azusa Pacific University, Eastern University, and California University. I think you’ll find though, that all of these schools will have programs similar in content and quality to the cheaper options in this ranking. This is because education for English language learners is pretty standardized. And all states have fairly stringent requirements that must be met.
GCD Staff
July 2023
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