Masters in TESOL and ESL Online

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-tesol-esl-online/">TESOL and ESL Online</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306	$9,684	83%
#2 University of Missouri 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211	$9,478	71%
#3 Clarkson University 8 Clarkson Ave, Potsdam, New York 13699	$33,312	78%
#4 University of Southern California University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089	$47,880	92%
#5 University of Kansas Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230, Lawrence, Kansas 66045	$9,989	67%
#6 Azusa Pacific University 901 E Alosta, Azusa, California 91702	$16,571	68%
#7 Arizona State University University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287	$11,720	63%
#8 University of North Dakota 264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-8193	$11,060	61%
#9 St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Pky, Queens, New York 11439	$29,816	63%
#10 University of Alabama, Huntsville 301 Sparkman Dr, Huntsville, Alabama 35899	$10,632	58%
#11 Webster University 470 E Lockwood Ave., Saint Louis, Missouri 63119	$13,500	58%
#12 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 7734	$5,765	54%
#13 University of Missouri, Saint Louis One University Boulevard, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121	$12,283	52%
#14 California University of Pennsylvania 250 University Ave, California, Pennsylvania 1541	$9,288	50%
#15 St. Cloud State University 720 Fourth Ave. South, Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56301	$7,607	48%
#16 Kennesaw State University 1000 Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144	$5,328	46%
#17 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515	$7,935	47%
#18 Texas A&M University, Commerce 2600 South Neal Street, Commerce, Texas 75428	$3,630	43%
#19 Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33801	$13,365	45%
#20 Mercy College 555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522	$16,686	44%
#21 The University of Texas Permian Basin 4901 E University, Odessa, Texas 79762	$2,384	40%
#22 Grand Canyon University 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85017	$10,528	41%
#23 Arkansas Tech University Administration Bldg 200, 1509 N Boulder Ave, Russellville, Arkansas 72801	$5,256	38%
#24 Campbellsville University 1 University Dr, Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718	$8,473	36%
#25 Western Governor’s University 4001 South 700 East Suite 700, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107	$7,500	21%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A frequently asked question is – “what is a Master’s in TESOL?”. A Master’s in TESOL prepares students to become educators and teach English to people whose native tongue is not English but another language. In the United States, many immigrants, for example, speak two or more foreign languages. For such people, English could be the third or even fourth language to learn, which is where the ‘SOL’ – Second or Other Language – comes in. With pure ESL programs, the emphasis is solely on English being the second language. All things considered, TESOL and ESL programs focus on reading, writing, and speaking, along with communication, linguistics, grammar, and development aspects as well. Be it TESOL or ESL, they both offer similar curricula, and their names are interchangeable.

Difference between TESOL, ESL, EFL, TEFL and ESOL Programs

Many students considering a career as an English Language Teacher (ELT) ask the question – “is TESOL and ESL the same?” To add to the confusion, there are several other acronyms used in conjunction with teaching English. While they are pretty much the same, in essence, there is very little difference between ESOL, TESOL TEFL, and ESL. Here is a quick rundown of all of them:

Acronym / Abbreviation	Description
ESL	English as a Second Language is learning English in a country where English is mainly spoken or where English is the official language. For Example: Immigrants in the US who speak, say, Spanish but use English as a Second Language.
EFL	English as a Foreign Language is learning English in a non-English-speaking country. For Example: Chinese who speak Mandarin but learn English as a Foreign Language.
ESOL	English as a Second or Other Language applies to both ESL and EFL contexts but where English may be the 3rd or 4thlanguage.
TEFL	Teaching English as a Foreign Language is the same as EFL but applies to those who engage in teaching.
TESOL	Teaching English as a Second or Other Language is the same as ESOL but applies to those who engage in teaching.

The Master’s in TESOL is primarily designed to cater to the varying needs of English Language Learners (ELLs), specifically those for whom English is the third or fourth language. Under this program, students will learn pedagogical theory along with best practices that can be applied in a classroom environment. Master’s in ESL students will also understand the fundamentals of English language instruction but from the context of English as a Second Language and English as a Foreign Language. And apart from a practicum or field experience that students will gain, various topics such as Linguistic Analysis, Bilingual Education, Historical and Current Theories of Second Language, and Cultural Influence in Second Language Teaching are generally covered.

Masters in TESOL and ESL Degree Types

A TESOL degree generally caters to students and educators who have a deep desire to teach English to others while advancing their knowledge and use of the language. Although TESOL and ESL Master’s programs are looked at in the same light, they target specific audiences and therefore have their independent degrees.

Specializations in Masters in TESOL and ESL Online Programs

There are many concentrations and areas of specialization in a Master’s in TESOL. For students who wish to build a career in a subfield of ESL, opting to specialize in it should be a natural choice. Concentrations can also tailor a degree to cater to specific areas such as Multilingual Education, Program Management, and Educational Technology. Some examples of specializations include Literary Translation, Translation for Professions, Conference and Community Interpreting, and more. Here are a few others to consider, from a list of many:

Master’s in Forensic Linguistics

This unique program, which combines elements of law and linguistics, focuses on oral and written communication through the lens of crime analysis. Courses include:

• Forensic Language Structure
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Forensic Linguistics
• Authorial Attribution and Speaker Identification
• Advanced Criminological Theories

Master’s in Computational Linguistics

This program studies what role machines play in processing human language and the several technologies used for language processing. Courses include:

• Introduction to Syntax for Computational Linguistics
• Deep Processing Techniques for Natural Language Processing
• Natural Language Processing Systems and Applications
• Advanced Statistical Methods in Natural Language Processing

Master’s in Applied Linguistics

The Applied Linguists program is designed to develop the expertise and skills needed to work effectively as language instructors. Courses include:

• Introduction to Language and Linguistics
• Introduction to Language Acquisition
• Language Teaching Methods
• Language Assessment
• Technologies for Language Teaching
• Language Curriculum and Materials Design

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in TESOL and ESL Online Programs

Almost all Master’s in TESOL programs touch upon a variety of topics that relate to teaching English as a second, other, or foreign language. However, curriculum varies significantly by accreditation and program, so students should carefully choose what courses they want to take up that will serve their personal development and professional goals. Here is an exhaustive list of Master TEFL TESOL accredited online courses:

• Approaches to Research
• Second-Language Acquisition Theories
• Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language
• Curriculum Development in Bilingual Education
• Critical Discourse Analysis,
• Historical Foundations of Critical Pedagogy
• Methods and Materials in Foreign Language Instruction
• Critical Perspectives on Christianity and English Language Teaching
• Language Learning through Technology
• Language Program Design
• Reflective Teaching
• Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching
• Education in Today’s Schools
• Education Evaluation and Assessment in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities
• Modern English Structure
• Theory and Practice in Bilingual Education
• Curriculum and Diverse Learners
• Educational Research
• Foundations of Educating English Language Learners and Second Language Acquisition
• Methods of Teaching English to English Language Learners
• Approaches to Research, Linguistics, Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language
• Second-Language Acquisition theories
• Brain-based Learning
• Foundations of Instruction for English Language Learners
• Linguistics
• Literacy in Bilingual Settings
• Methods of Teaching and Evaluating ELLs with Special Needs
• Language and Culture for Educators, Linguistics for Educators, Materials for and Assessment of English Language Learners
• Methods of Teaching English Language Learners
• Second Language Acquisition
• Second Language Acquisition for TESOL Educators
• Linguistic Analysis for TESOL Educators
• Cultural Anthropology
• Curriculum, Testing, and Assessment
• English as a World Language
• Teaching Grammar, Lexicon, and Pronunciation
• Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction
• Understanding Research in Education
• Reading and the English Language Learner in Pre-K-12
• Multicultural Education
• Methods of TESOL
• Assessment in TESOL
• Problems in Second Language Instruction

Some colleges may insist on a practicum experience, internship, or submission of a thesis.

Students of Master’s in TESOL and ESL programs would have acquired a host of skills at the end of their programs, some of which include their ability to:

• exhibit foundational knowledge in linguistics and communication;
• theorize and explore foundations of second language acquisition;
• demonstrate sound pedagogical knowledge and teaching methodology;
• design and develop curriculum for second or foreign language learners;
• support children and adult learners in their English language acquisition and mastery;
• confront the challenges that second language learners face linguistically and culturally;
• assess, evaluate, and chart the progress of English Language Learners (ELLs);
• understand cultures and communities, and the influence language has on them;
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of research techniques and their use.

Accreditation for Masters in TESOL and ESL Online Programs

Without exception, accredited online ESL programs are the only ones that will lead to lucrative jobs. This is because working in an education environment will almost certainly require certification and licensure, and accreditation forms the basis for this. Therefore, students who are considering a Master’s in TESOL Online should always ensure that the program they are looking at is accredited regionally, nationally, or programmatically. Here are a few accrediting organizations as examples:

• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Timeline for graduation from Masters in TESOL Online Programs

Generally speaking, to complete a Master’s in TESOL online, one would require anywhere between 1 and 2 years, with the standard duration being two years. Of course, students who enroll in part-time programs would take longer.

Most Master’s in TESOL online programs require 30 to 36 credits but can vary depending on whether the student has opted for a thesis or a non-thesis program. Thesis-based programs tend to take longer to complete than their non-thesis counterparts.

Some colleges offer accelerated programs that can help students earn their degree in about a year. However, most of these programs will require the candidate to have a Bachelor’s degree in education and have completed certain prerequisite courses.

Masters in TESOL and ESL Online Programs Admission Requirements

Master’s in TESOL online requirements are quite up to standard expectations. In almost all cases, students should have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements, such as:

• An Application Form with requisite Application Fee
• Official Academic Transcripts
• A Statement of Purpose
• A Resume
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Proof of English Proficiency

Additionally, applicants must meet Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria in which some colleges will require the student to have:

• a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00= “A”) in the last 60 hours of a student’s first Bachelor’s degree program; OR
• a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00= “A”) in an applicable Master’s degree program.

Note: It is not uncommon for some colleges to accept students with lower GPAs.

A majority of colleges accept undergraduate majors in fields such as (but not limited to):

• Applied Linguistics
• Anthropology
• Comparative Languages and Literature
• Communication
• Education
• Cognitive Science
• History
• Law
• English Literature

Note: In most cases, enrollment to Master’s in TESOL and ESL programs does not require standardized test scores of either GRE or GMAT to be submitted unless specified. However, students are advised to read the College Prospectus and/or Program Guide for exact admission requirements, eligibility criteria, and other details.

Nursing education involves studying a plethora of topics that range from adult gerontology acute care and adult gerontology primary care, to psychiatric mental health, and health assessment. Attending the best program is what every future nursing student wants, but deciding what schools have the best master of science in nursing (MSN) programs is the tricky part. After all, what’s best for one student may not be best for another, which can make it difficult to evaluate rankings of schools and programs.

Even so, there are several factors prospective nursing grad students will want to look at when choosing the best program. Here are a few essential points in online nursing programs, that one needs to understand:

Timeline for an Online Nursing Program

The time it takes to complete an MSN degree online largely depends upon the program and the student. Since online education offers the luxury of self-paced study, one could choose to attend school on a part-time basis or go full-time, while others might find a program that allows them to take one course at a time – as their schedule permits. However, a student who is already a nurse practitioner will take between one and two years to complete the 36 and 42 credits hours required to graduate. Students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field may need up to three years to finish their program through an accelerated track. Essentially, these programs are squeezing two years of undergraduate and two years of graduate instruction into three years.

Accreditation for an Online Master’s in Nursing

A degree without accreditation is almost useless. Accreditation confirms that a program’s curriculum meets a minimum level of academic quality; without it, a degree might not be worth the paper it is printed on. For online nursing programs, the principal accrediting body is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Alternatively, some programs may be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Prospective nursing education students should only consider the online master of science in nursing programs if they are accredited by one of these organizations, or the colleges and schools commission. Interested students can independently verify if a school is accredited by checking the CCNE or ACEN’s website as well as the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Read more about accreditation in the Best Accreditation Guide.

Admission Requirements for Online MSN Programs

Usually, an MSN degree online requires incoming students to hold an active registered nursing license. Nurses must have at least an associate degree, as well as a minimum of one year of work experience. Some programs may not require incoming students to be licensed nurses, but in such cases, they may expect the student to have completed a baccalaureate degree program in a non-nursing field. Apart from these nursing-specific requirements, there are other general admission requirements for collegiate nursing education as well. Here are some of those admission requirements:

• Transcripts from a Bachelor’s Degree
• GRE Scores
• Letter of Recommendations
• RN License
• Statement of Purpose
• Transfer Credits (optional, if available)

Curriculum in Online MSN Programs

All things considered, there are a few similarities among accredited programs in nursing education – online and traditional. Most of these similarities will exist among core curricula. Typical core courses will cover topics such as policy, advocacy, research, and evidence-based nursing practice. However, for programs that have comparable specializations, there will be similar core courses on offer as well. Here are some examples of core nursing classes one can expect from a few of the more common specialization tracks.

Nursing Education	Executive Leader	Nurse Informatics
Instructional Strategies: This course addresses learning strategies and principles typically used and applied in the nurse-education setting.   Nursing Education Field Experience: Students engage in hands-on teaching experience in collaboration with academic mentors to demonstrate what they have previously learned in the classroom.   Curriculum Development: Students will learn how to create effective curricula for training future nurses and healthcare providers.	Building Effective Communication and Relationships: This class introduces students to addressing worker conflicts within a healthcare organization, as well as the cultivation of relationships for effective teamwork.   Managing Human Resources: The role of a nurse-leader in developing, retaining, and managing an organization’s workforce will be explained and analyzed.   Strategic Planning in Healthcare Organization: Students will develop skills that allow them to identify, create and implement strategic plans following an organization’s mission.	Financial Management in Nursing Practice: The analysis of healthcare financing issues will be explained. Students will learn how to manage organizational budgets, and evaluate organizational financial plans on a strategic level.   Informatics in Nursing and Healthcare: This course provides a foundational level of knowledge concerning the application of information analysis and processing within the nursing setting.   Capstone Synthesis Practicum: Nursing students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical nursing informatics knowledge to real-world settings and environments.

Examples of some other courses commonly found in nursing programs are:

• Health Assessment
• Psychiatric Mental Health
• Health Informatics
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
• Nursing Leadership

Skills Gained in an Online MSN Program

While the exact skills and knowledge gained through nursing programs will depend on the chosen concentration, there are several skills that most MSN nursing students can expect to acquire, some of which include:

• Leadership: In an undergraduate RN program, students primarily learn how to treat patients. In an MSN program, students will continue to learn how to treat patients, but in more indirect ways. This includes leading and managing other medical professionals in a manner that provides for effective, team-based medical care, such as in adult gerontology acute care. This is far easier said than done – that is why most management positions, in any industry, go to individuals with additional training and experience. The MSN degree provides some of this valuable training and experience through instruction on a variety of topics, including cultural sensitivity, financial management, communication skills, and a higher-level understanding of how healthcare organizations work.
• Critical Thinking: Registered nurses must have the ability to think critically, including taking information about a patient and using that information logically and objectively to make a treatment decision. MSN-trained nurses will further develop those skills and apply them to not just tactical-level decisions in a patient’s room, but also at a more strategic level when implementing department or organizational changes.
• Policy-Making: Due to the direct level of care registered nurses provide, there is an emphasis on the “how” when it comes to treating a patient. But at the leadership and management levels, as well as providing more advanced medical care that approaches the level of what doctors provide, MSN-prepared nurses need to understand the “why.” For example, MSN students will learn how to determine, from a policy perspective, why one treatment or procedure is recommended over another, despite them producing identical results.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Medicine is a science; the treatments and care patients receive should be based on scientific principles. In any accredited MSN program, students will learn about the process of compiling and understanding research findings that can eventually lead to new or altered medical care for patients.
• Advocacy: In leadership and management, those in charge need to influence and guide teams, including getting them to buy into certain strategies. But another aspect of leadership is working on behalf of constituents, such as coworkers or patients. Nurse leaders and advanced practitioners wield significant power; a graduate nursing education will help nurses understand the significance of that power, and how to effectively wield it to help others, by advocating on their behalf.

Although most traditional MA degrees require two years to complete, an MA TESOL online one-year program is possible. Many online MA TESOL programs are designed to be completed in a year, which is a great option to fast-track one’s studies and seek employment earlier. Having said that, students who are considering such programs should check the list of admission requirements, because more often than not, they will be required to have completed certain prerequisite courses to be eligible to apply.

Online Master’s degrees in TESOL are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) to students from different backgrounds, and who may be young children, adolescents, and adults of all grade levels.

Private and public schools and colleges, and other educational institutions hire TESOL professionals as English instructors, as do companies, who hire them as consultants for varied roles. Graduates of a Master’s in TESOL online can also be Curriculum Developers, TESOL Program Directors, Postsecondary Educators, or even Private Tutors.

Here is a list of possible careers and the median annual salary for each job, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• ESL Teacher: $55,350
• Interpreter or Translator: $52,330
• Postsecondary Teacher: $80,790
• High School Teacher: $62,870
• Middle School Teacher: $60,810
• Instructional Coordinator: $66,970
• ESL Program Director: $80,062

(source: Glassdoor)

Graduates of a Master’s in TESOL online or Master’s in ESL degree may need to take additional measures to be considered for employment in certain industries. Many teaching jobs, for example, necessitate a state-issued license, and obtaining such licensure will also help individuals advance in their careers and earn higher salaries. K-12 public school educators in all states are mandated to hold a license to teach. Although licensure requirements differ from state to state, graduates are generally required to have an accredited degree and should have completed at least one certified teacher-preparation program. It is for this very reason that students should preferably take up an online Master’s degree in ESL with certification.

An important point to note is the difference between a Master’s in TESOL vs. a Certificate in ESL. While the Master’s degree provides students with the requisite understanding of what to teach and how to teach English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) to students, Certificates, especially in ESL, prepare graduates for the classroom environment in K-12 settings and other ESL settings. Certificate programs also tend to be shorter programs and a viable alternative to a full-fledged degree.

Praxis I and Praxis II tests, conducted by Education Testing Service (ETS), are two common undertakings for state licensure. TeachingCertification.com has a comprehensive list of all teaching certification requirements by state.

English is, in itself, a vast subject. It keeps evolving with time, which only means that Master’s in TESOL online graduates must also stay up to date with the latest English language and the many methods and approaches to teaching it. Networking and connecting with peers, sharing ideas, opinions, literary works, and lesson plans will help TESOL students and educators advance their careers and widen their horizons. Some of the many available resources to help with this are:

1. TESOL International Association
   The TESOL International Association has a separate TESOL Resource Center with all kinds of resources for TESOL students and graduates, such as Lesson Plans, Teaching Tips, Live Event Resources, Assessment, Activities, and more.
2. International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
   International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) is one of the most thriving communities of ELT teachers in the world and offers recorded webinars, publications, news, and events.
3. Waylink Language Resources
   Waylink Language Resources is a goldmine for TESOL & TEFL teachers. From practice materials to notes to help with vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and academic writing, this website has it all! (Note: This is a UK-based website, so expect all content to be in UK English)
4. ESL Library
   ESL Library has beautifully designed, well-planned English lessons and flashcards, along with Assessment Tools and resources on Grammar & Usage, Classroom Management, Young Learner Activities, and more.