Top 25 Online Master's in English Language Learning Programs for 2019

The master of education in English language learner education at the University of North Dakota takes about two years to complete. The 35-credit master’s in TESOL program includes fully online coursework and a 90-hour practicum experience that's completed in the student’s local community. The practicum allows students to gain supervised ESL/ELL teaching experience in a K-12 school. UND offers an optional TESOL seminar once a month on campus. Distance learners pay in-state tuition regardless of residency. The curriculum meets requirements for ELL/ESL teacher endorsement in North Dakota and some other states. Program faculty have doctoral degrees and experience teaching ESL to diverse populations, including immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, offers a master of education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on teaching English as a second language. The program is designed to prepare working teachers to teach ESL in public and private settings. All coursework is offered online. Major courses include applied linguistics, differentiating instruction for diverse learners, and methods and curriculum development in TESL. The program also includes a practicum in teaching ESL for K-6 or 7-12 and a capstone portfolio. Like other ESL master’s programs online, program entrance is limited to applicants who already have a teaching license. Other admissions criteria include a 2.75 minimum GPA and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

The 30-credit ESL master’s online from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, prepares graduates who already hold teaching certification to teach English as a second language in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, English programs, and more. The master of science in teaching English to speakers of other languages program does not lead to teacher certification. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, and two recommendations. Students who have an instructional level one or two certification can apply for ESL program specialist certification after completing ESL program specialist courses. Required courses include second language program development, computer assisted language learning, and a 15-hour field experience.

At Canisius College, a private Jesuit, Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, students can earn a master’s in ESL online. The master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages is offered through the School of Education & Human Services and is completely online. The program is designed for working professionals, and three start dates are offered each year. The 30-credit program prepares graduates for New York state TESOL certification in kindergarten through grade 12. Courses include research in reading, methods and materials for teaching English to speakers of other languages, and emergent literacy. A required field practicum can be completed anywhere in the U.S. and is offered in summer so that working students can participate. Faculty members have extensive experience teaching TESOL.

Azusa Pacific University’s 33-credit ESL master’s online is taught through an asynchronous cohort model, with students taking courses sequentially with a group of peers. Azusa is an evangelical Christian university. Full-time students can complete the fully online program in one-and-a-half years, with four sessions each year. Part-time students who take one course each term can finish the program in about three years. Courses include teaching English grammar and pronunciation, second language assessment, and a TESOL portfolio. Azusa also offers a special field-based program where students can earn their TESOL MA in two years while also teaching English full-time overseas. Students should expect to spend 6-10 hours per week, per unit, to complete coursework.

Biola, a private, Evangelical Christian university located in La Mirada, California, offers distance learners the opportunity to earn an ESL master’s online. The master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages is a biblically-centered program that's available completely online. The program is designed for Christian ESL or EFL teachers whose job or visa requires a master’s degree. Students are mentored by faculty members who are active practitioners and researchers in teaching English as a second language. Students with no prior teaching experience can also apply. Biola offers a special grant for online TESOL students that automatically reduces tuition by one third when registering for classes. Biola also offers the option to “test drive” the program by taking a stand-alone introduction to TESOL class.

Hamline University, a private, liberal arts school in St. Paul, Minnesota, offers two online ESL master’s programs: a master of arts in English as a second language (ESL) and a master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Both degrees are fully online. The 29-credit ESL MA takes about 24 months to complete and includes the option to choose an area of concentration, which includes adult ESL, K-12 ESL licensure, and TEFL. The 34-credit TESOL MA takes five to six terms to finish, and the TESOL program offers a $2,500 scholarship to new students based on academic merit or demonstrated leadership ability. Available courses cover topics like applied linguistics, research methods, course design, and assessment.

Spring Arbor University, a Christian university in Spring Arbor, Michigan, offers a TESOL master’s degree that is completely online. The program is designed for working adults and offers two tracks: one for teachers and one for other professionals. SAU’s MA in TESOL K-12 track meets the requirements for ESL endorsement for certified teachers. The MA in TESOL adolescent and adult education track is for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching field. It prepares graduates to teach in community-based ESL programs in the U.S. and to teach English abroad in a variety of contexts. Courses include linguistics for teachers of English, methods of teaching speaking and listening, and assessment and evaluation of language minority students and programs.

Pennsylvania State University offers a hybrid ESL master’s that provides professional development for working teachers. The 36-credit master of arts in teaching English as a second language program requires residency at the PSU campus for 24 credits. Students can complete twelve credits of 800-level courses online. Required courses include teaching American English pronunciation; language socialization across home, school, and community contexts; methods of language assessment; and a six-credit field experience. Students must complete a master's paper and a teaching e-portfolio. This program does not lead to automatic teacher certification in Pennsylvania. Admission requirements include GRE scores, a bachelor’s degree, three letters of reference, and a written statement of goals.

The University of San Francisco offers several options for students interested in TESOL master’s programs. The master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages degree is designed for students who want to teach English abroad or provide ESL instruction in the U.S. at K-12 schools or community colleges. The ESL master’s program is practitioner-oriented and takes a critical look at social justice issues. Courses available include critical race theory and praxis, pan-African language and culture, and immigration and forced displacement. USF also offers the MA in teaching English to speakers of other languages with a digital technologies for teaching and learning emphasis and an MA in TESOL with single or multiple teaching credential, which leads to teaching licensure.

MidAmerica Nazarene University, a Christian liberal arts school located in Olathe, Kansas, offers online learners the opportunity to pursue a master’s in TESOL. The master of education in English as a second language prepares students to take the ESOL Praxis test, which is needed to add the ESOL endorsement to a Kansas teaching license. The 18-month, 33-credit program is fully online in a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats, including real-time webcasts. Students take courses in multicultural awareness for educators, action research, and teaching English as an international language. MNU offers tuition discounts for members of the military. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. It's recommended that applicants have a teaching license.

McDaniel College, a private liberal arts school in Westminster, Maryland, offers an ESL master’s to online students. The 36-credit master of science in teaching English to speakers of other languages is designed for licensed teachers; the degree does not lead to licensure. The fully online degree prepares students to take the Praxis II test in ESOL. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 GPA and three letters of recommendation. Admissions also requires students to complete three credits in cross-cultural studies and six credits in a modern foreign language. To graduate, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. The curriculum includes classes in assessment of English learners, principles of language acquisition, and bilingual special education.

Distance learners can enroll in a 36-credit master’s in TESOL program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The Department of Education and Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication cooperatively offer the master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages. The program is designed for experienced and prospective ESL teachers. Students learn about the theory and practice of TESOL. Courses are available completely online, but students can also enroll in a hybrid format. Classes start three times a year, and the school offers rolling admission. Courses include an ESOL internship, cross-cultural communication, and ESOL testing and evaluation. Students also have the option to complete a thesis or to obtain K-12 certification by taking extra credits.

Eastern University, a Christian university in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, offers an online master’s in TESOL. The master of education in teaching English to speakers of other languages program integrates the school’s philosophy of faith and justice into its curriculum. New students can start the program in August, January, May, or June and can complete the program in one year. The curriculum includes a 50-hour TESOL field experience/portfolio and courses in theories of second language acquisition and early literacy foundations. All coursework is available online except for the required TESOL field experience, which students can complete in their local communities. International students can travel to Eastern for an optional four-week summer study session.

Online students choose from several TESOL master’s programs at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. The three TESOL degrees available include a master of arts in teaching English in secondary schools (TESS), a master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages, and a master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages/Spanish. The 33-credit TESS program is taught in a cohort format and takes about three years to complete. The TESOL program has a 33-credit, non-thesis option and a 39-credit, thesis option. Both thesis and non-thesis options require students to pass a comprehensive exam in order to graduate. The TESOL/Spanish program is 33 credits and does not require a thesis. TESOL/Spanish students must complete a teaching portfolio and presentation and a comprehensive Spanish exam.

Dominican University, a Catholic institution located in River Forest, Illinois, offers a fully online master’s in TESOL through its School of Education. The master of arts in education in English as a second language qualifies licensed teachers to earn the credential to teach ESL in the state of Illinois. Sessions start six times a year, and students can graduate in 18 months. Applicants must have a professional educator license; the program does not lead to licensure. The MA is designed for teachers already serving ESL students and those looking for work in this field. To graduate, students must complete a 100-hour field experience in an ESL setting or teach three months of ESL. Courses include foundations of language minority education, language and culture, and methods and materials for teaching English as a second language.

The New School, a private research university located in New York City, offers a master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages. A unique feature of this MA, compared to other TESOL master’s programs, is its focus on social action and outreach. Students gain real-world experience working with underserved communities by completing a TESOL field experience. The rest of the program can be completed entirely online. Although most students enroll in the program part-time, students who attend full-time and participate in a summer intensive teaching residency in New York can finish in one year. The 30-credit program allows students to choose from two specialties: teaching or curriculum development. The internationally-renowned faculty includes TESOL professionals and authors.

Sam Houston State University offers an online master of education in teaching English to speakers of other languages. The program is intended for practicing teachers of English as a second/foreign language. A unique feature of SHSU’s program, compared to other online TESOL master’s programs, is that new online students automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship that is offered on a first come, first served basis. Courses include applied linguistics, action research in second languages, and building relationships with diverse families and children. Graduates receive a certificate in second language instruction along with the degree. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample.

Emporia State University offers a master’s in TESOL through its Department of Instructional Design and Technology. The master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages prepares students to work as TESOL teachers in the state of Kansas. The 36-credit program focuses on the study of applied linguistics. Students take classes like TESOL methodology, computer-assisted language learning in TESOL, individual differences in second language learning, and literacy/reading theory and practice. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study, three letters of recommendation, an admissions essay, a resume, and a one-page career statement. Graduates must maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA and complete a practicum.

Mercy College, a private research university located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, offers a 36-credit online TESOL master’s degree through its School of Education. The master of science in teaching English to speakers of other languages includes courses like teaching writing/writing process, theory and practice of bilingual education, and approaches to literacy: early childhood and adolescence. Students can choose from two program tracks for TESOL certification: initial or professional. Initial certification candidates complete a 15-week student teaching experience to qualify for New York state certification. Professional certification is intended for learners who already have three years of teaching experience in New York. Candidates for professional certification must complete a 20-day, ESL experience in a preK-12 school.