Online Master’s in TESOL

To serve the growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools today, the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences offers online master’s degrees in both teaching and non-teaching tracks as well as a licensure endorsement in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Overall, English-learner enrollment in public K-12 schools increased by more than one million students, rising from 8.1% of total enrollment to 9.6% in 2020.1 These students may struggle to keep up in classes taught in a language they are still learning, a frustrating and sometimes alienating experience that can lead to lower grades and higher dropout rates among these populations.

Although ELL students come from different backgrounds, they share a need for informed, compassionate and effective specialized teachers who understand the challenges they face. Educators with diverse instructional techniques, culturally responsive teaching practices and a strong foundation in second language acquisition can make an enormous difference in these students' educational experiences—and their lives.

Whether you are seeking licensure, a career shift, or just to better support students in your school or district, our online TESOL programs will prepare you to help students from many culturally diverse backgrounds succeed in early childhood, PK–12 or adult education classrooms.

Clear the language barrier for your students and watch them thrive.


Choose from two tracks in our online master's in TESOL* to best suit your career goals, as well as a licensure endorsement-only option which can be completed in significantly less time. All of these programs are are taught by the same highly renowned faculty who have made our on-campus programs among the best in the nation, experienced educators who bring extensive TESOL-related research and a wealth of expertise in teaching non-English speakers from various cultural backgrounds. Under their instruction, you'll learn both pedagogical theory and best practices that can be applied right away in a classroom environment.

In these programs, you'll build an understanding of the foundations of English language instruction (in both English as a second language and English as a foreign language contexts) and bilingual education, including historical and current theories of second language acquisition, linguistic analysis, and the role culture plays in second language teaching. You'll also supplement your classroom learning with required field experiences.

Earn your degree in as few as two years

APR
26
Application Deadline
April 26
Summer 2024 Term
MAY
06
Next Start
May 6
Summer 2024 Term

Program Details



If you already hold initial teaching licensure in your state, this track will prepare you to transition to or start a career in TESOL. Prior to completion of the online master’s in TESOL teacher track,* you'll complete a practicum experience, a supervised teaching experience in a setting appropriate to your goals that lets you put into practice what you've learned about lesson planning, classroom management and self-evaluation.

Program Details

  • 10 courses, 8 weeks per course, 30 credit hours
  • Complete in as few as 2 years
  • Opportunity to apply practical approaches grounded in pedagogical theory through interactions with children and youth in your own community
  • Learn from renowned faculty with extensively published research and diverse real-world experience
  • Create a working instructional portfolio that can be directly applied in your own classroom
  • Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere, through our innovative online format
  • No GRE required for admission
  • Accredited under NCATE/CAEP standards
  • Required teaching practicum experience

View Admissions Requirements

What You’ll Learn

In the teacher track of the online master’s in TESOL, you'll delve deep into the theories and foundations of second language acquisition, explore how to support children as well as adult learners in their English language acquisition and mastery, and confront the challenges that second language learners face linguistically and culturally. Your studies will prepare you for a hands-on practicum experience and a culminating master's project that reflects your successful achievement of the four program outcomes:

  • Teaching All Students
  • Knowing and Using Research
  • Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Foundational Knowledge

For more detailed information on the topics covered in this program, view the course listings.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the online master's in TESOL teacher track are often experienced teachers who transition to a career in teaching English as a second language at the PK–12 level or among an adult population. They may also serve as program directors for TESOL programs, consultants for companies who produce educational ESOL materials or tutors at English language centers. Some may even go on to pursue teaching English abroad.

The teacher track program includes both a master’s degree credential and preparation for the Praxis® exam required by the State of Kansas to add a licensure endorsement for TESOL.

*This program is an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in TESOL.

The teacher track of the program satisfies the requirements for the state-approved endorsement in the state of Kansas for teachers with existing licensure. Neither the teacher track nor the non-teacher track leads to initial licensure. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license of certification in your home state or territory. The website https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas.

This program does not provide instruction in speaking English. It prepares educators to teach English to speakers of other languages and is not an English language program for second or other language learners.

Note: In order to enroll in any of these programs, a bachelor's degree is required. No program can guarantee licensure. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements in his or her state and to apply for the licenses or endorsements necessary to his or her career goals. Our department staff and licensure officer can provide individual support during the application process to help you understand your state’s requirements.

Master's in TESOL Online Courses Course Descriptions

Our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) online courses will provide you with strategies to support students learning English throughout their education. These masters' courses support all three tracks of the program. Work with your admissions outreach advisor to determine the right classes and track for you.

All courses listed are worth 3 credits.

Please note: Course list and sequence are subject to change.


Master's in TESOL


C&T 709 - FOUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Basic concepts and processes of curriculum and instruction, including theories, planning models, resources for decision-making, current trends, research and proposals for improvement of curriculum and instruction.

EPSY 715 - UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH IN EDUCATION

This class presents core concepts for understanding and implementing research materials in education. You will acquire the fundamental skills to understand and critically analyze research in the field of education and related areas, and to apply research materials and strategies to your own practice. The course provides an overview of various research methodologies, introducing students to a wide array of general knowledge. Much of the material covered in this course will be studied in greater depth throughout your course work, and will form the basis for independent research and for the Master's Project. Topics include quantitative and qualitative methods and designs, historical and descriptive research, and program evaluation.

C&T 745 - READING AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER IN PREK-12 (NON-TEACHER TRACK ONLY)

The course focuses on the literacy development, research, and effective teaching practices that support emerging bilinguals (EBs) and additive bilinguals becoming literate in PK - Grade 12 and adult academic settings. We examine how learning to read, writing, speaking and viewing in a new language are similar and/or dissimilar from these dimensions in a first language. Cognitive, sociocultural, linguistic and educational perspectives are investigated as part of this examination. Specific examples of challenges that exist for students as they learn to communicate in English are shared and problem-solved. Ways to connect students' home languages, background literacy knowledge and development are also explored. The course examines the essential components of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and comprehension. As each component is studied, implications for literacy development with EBs are highlighted.

C&T 807 - MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

In order to provide the student with an understanding of multicultural education, the course will examine the effects of such issues as ethnicity in America, the melting pot theory, separatism, cultural pluralism, legal issues and bilingual education upon the curriculum and instruction in today's classrooms. It will include an evaluation of materials for bias and stereotypes. Field experiences are a part of this course.

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C&T 820 - METHODS OF TESOL

The purpose of this course is to study the objectives and methods of ESL/Bilingual education. Students will examine methods and techniques of teaching: listening, speaking, reading and writing in the ESL/Bilingual education settings. The course will also emphasize the importance of culture in second language teaching, and self-evaluation of teaching and instructional materials.

View Full Description

C&T 821 - ASSESSMENT IN TESOL

This course provides an overview of diagnostic techniques and instruments used to identify and remediate specific learning difficulties associated with normal second-language development in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course includes a review of research concerning assessment as it relates to error analysis in the second-language context.

C&T 822 - SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FOR TESOL EDUCATORS

This course provides an intensive review of the theory and research base of second-language acquisition. Particular attention is given to the influence of research trends in linguistics and psychology on second-language education theory and practice. Current trends in second-language education are examined in light of the historical theory base.

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C&T 824 - PROBLEMS IN SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION

This course presents a study of curricula and instruction in the second-language setting at all levels with emphasis on educational research concerning these issues. Particular attention is given to developing competency in locating and utilizing sources of information and to preparing the research document. The course facilitates practical problem solving in the second-language learning context.

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C&T 826 - LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS FOR TESOL EDUCATORS

This course offers pre- and in-service teachers the basic foundations of language analysis necessary for the teaching of second/foreign languages. The course covers basic linguistic topics common to all human languages (grammatical, phonological and semantic aspects) with the intent to help teachers understand and address common languages problems that students face when learning English as a second/foreign language.

C&T 825 - TESOL PRACTICUM (TEACHER TRACK ONLY)

This course provides a supervised teaching experience in a setting appropriate to the goals of the prospective ESL/Bilingual teacher: elementary, secondary or adult. Particular attention is given to lesson planning, classroom management and the development of self-evaluation techniques. This course will also emphasize structured classroom observation prior to teaching and techniques for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with other professionals in the school setting. Prerequisite: C&T 820, C&T 821, and C&T 822 or C&T 824. FLD.

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C&T 898 - MASTER'S PROJECT (CAPSTONE)

The master's project is a collection of artifacts completed during courses in the program, along with documentation of other activities demonstrating leadership and professionalism, to demonstrate the four program outcomes: Teaching All Students, Knowing and Using Research, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, and Foundational Knowledge.

TESOL Licensure Endorsement



C&T 807 - MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

In order to provide the student with an understanding of multicultural education, the course will examine the effects of such issues as ethnicity in America, the melting pot theory, separatism, cultural pluralism, legal issues and bilingual education upon the curriculum and instruction in today's classrooms. It will include an evaluation of materials for bias and stereotypes. Field experiences are a part of this course.

View Full Description

C&T 820 - METHODS OF TESOL

The purpose of this course is to study the objectives and methods of ESL/Bilingual education. Students will examine methods and techniques of teaching: listening, speaking, reading and writing in the ESL/Bilingual education settings. The course will also emphasize the importance of culture in second language teaching, and self-evaluation of teaching and instructional materials.

View Full Description

C&T 821 - ASSESSMENT IN TESOL

This course provides an overview of diagnostic techniques and instruments used to identify and remediate specific learning difficulties associated with normal second-language development in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course includes a review of research concerning assessment as it relates to error analysis in the second-language context.

C&T 822 - SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FOR TESOL EDUCATORS

This course provides an intensive review of the theory and research base of second-language acquisition. Particular attention is given to the influence of research trends in linguistics and psychology on second-language education theory and practice. Current trends in second-language education are examined in light of the historical theory base.

View Full Description

C&T 826 - LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS FOR TESOL EDUCATORS

This course offers pre- and in-service teachers the basic foundations of language analysis necessary for the teaching of second/foreign languages. The course covers basic linguistic topics common to all human languages (grammatical, phonological and semantic aspects) with the intent to help teachers understand and address common languages problems that students face when learning English as a second/foreign language.

C&T 825 - TESOL PRACTICUM

This course provides a supervised teaching experience in a setting appropriate to the goals of the prospective ESL/Bilingual teacher: elementary, secondary or adult. Particular attention is given to lesson planning, classroom management and the development of self-evaluation techniques. This course will also emphasize structured classroom observation prior to teaching and techniques for developing and maintaining positive working relationships with other professionals in the school setting. Prerequisite: C&T 820, C&T 821, and C&T 822 or C&T 824. FLD.

View Full Description