Certificate Program in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL)

The TESL/TEFL Graduate Certificate provides training to those interested in teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language. The certificate is given to those who complete the practical preparation needed to teach English both within and outside the United States to post-secondary students and adults. The specific courses for the certificate include the specific knowledge and skills specified for ESL teachers and identified by TESOL, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. Students have the option of completing the program completely on-line.

There are two options for completing the certificate. Students must specify which option they are choosing in their application.

a. Traditional: Students may take a mixture of online and onsite courses. Non-residents [out-of-state] students pay non-resident fees. International students must meet all requirements for an American student visa.

b. Online: Students may ONLY take online courses. Non-residents [out-of-state] students pay resident fees by applying for the online non-resident scholarship every semester after they are admitted.

International students do not need to meet requirements for an American student visa since they do NOT need to come to the U.S at any point during the program.

Note: The Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second/Foreign Language is not a program to prepare K-12 ESL teachers. Pre-service and in-service teachers seeking an ESL certificate and add-on endorsement in ESL for K-12 should contact the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences for details.

A. Admission Requirements

1. Applicants should hold either an MA degree in any field or a BA degree in any field with a GPA of at least 2.75.
2. International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based).
3. Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement and two letters of recommendation to the Graduate Coordinator of the English Department.
4. Since 12 credit hours in the certificate program may also count toward the MA degree, it is expected that many fully-admitted students will earn the certificate on their way to the MA degree. Certificate students wishing to earn the MA must make formal application for the master's program following all guidelines specified by the English Department and the University.

B. Program Requirements

1. The certificate program requires completion of fifteen (15) semester credit hours.
2. Twelve (12) credit hours must be met by satisfactory completion of the following core courses:
   1. ENGL 7531 Theory and History of ESL (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7532 Principles of Skills Assessment (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7535 ESL Grammar (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7530 Field Experience and Practicum in ESL (3 hours)
3. Three (3) elective hours may be selected from:
   1. ENGL 7533 Method/Techniques of ESL in K-12 (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7536 Issues in Second Language Writing (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7537 Issues in Second Language Reading (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7538 Cultural Issues in ESL (3 hours)
   5. ENGL 6533 Issues and Techniques in English as a Foreign Language (3 hours)
4. Note: Those also seeking ESL add-on endorsement in Tennessee must complete ENGL 7533 and ENGL 7538. Praxis II for ESL is also required for the add-on endorsement.

C. Retention Requirements
Same as retention policies applicable to Department of English graduate degree programs.

D. Graduation Requirements
Relatively early in the semester in which they intend to graduate, certificate candidates must file an Intent to Graduate Card with the Graduate School and a Candidacy form with the Graduate Coordinator for English.

You may also wish to read this article on common qualifications in teaching ESL/EFL from International TESOL, the largest professional organization in this field.

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