

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
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
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.
The non-teacher track of the online master’s in TESOL* program is meant for educational professionals who are not seeking teaching licensure, such as consultants, advocates, and those in administrative or government positions within the field of TESOL. It will not prepare you for a TESOL licensure endorsement. Nonetheless, you'll gain general knowledge about the learning styles of English as a second or other language students in English-speaking classrooms and best practices for improving their learning outcomes.
Program Details
- 10 courses, 8 weeks per course, 30 credit hours
- Complete in as few as 2 years
- Learn from renowned faculty with extensively published research and diverse real-world experience
- Create a capstone project that reflects research completed during the program as well as documentation that demonstrates competency in the four program outcomes areas
- Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere, through our innovative online format
- No GRE required for admission
What You'll Learn
In the non-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, and confront the challenges that second-language learners face linguistically and culturally. Your studies will prepare you for 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 non-teacher track pursue careers that support speakers of other languages outside of a PK–12 classroom environment. They may tutor adult students of any age through community-based programs and online services, consult for companies who produce educational ESOL materials, or advise government agencies.
*This program is an online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in TESOL. It does not lead to initial nor advanced licensure in TESOL in the state of Kansas.
The online licensure endorsement-only track in TESOL* is best for currently licensed teachers in states where additional licensure endorsement is required for roles that involve the teaching of English language learners. This program will give you graduate-level knowledge about English language learners and how to best serve their needs in the classroom.
Program Details
- 6 courses, 8 weeks per course, 18 credit hours
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- 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 capstone project that reflects research completed during the program as well as documentation that demonstrates competency in the four program outcomes areas
- Complete your coursework anytime, anywhere, through our innovative online format
- No GRE required for admission
- Accredited under NCATE/CAEP standards
- Required teaching practicum experience
What You'll Learn
In the online licensure endorsement-only track 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, and confront the challenges that second language learners face linguistically and culturally.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the online licensure endorsement-only track in TESOL are prepared to transition to a career teaching English as a second language at the PK–12 level. They may also fill other roles that serve to help non-native English-speaking students excel in the classroom, such as ESOL program administrators and directors.
*This online academic program satisfies the requirements for the TESOL teaching licensure endorsement in Kansas, but does not fulfill the requirements needed to complete a master's degree.
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 non-teacher track lead 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
EPSY 715 - UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
C&T 745 - READING AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER IN PREK-12 (NON-TEACHER TRACK ONLY)
C&T 807 - MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
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C&T 820 - METHODS OF TESOL
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C&T 821 - ASSESSMENT IN TESOL
C&T 822 - SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FOR TESOL EDUCATORS
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C&T 824 - PROBLEMS IN SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
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C&T 826 - LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS FOR TESOL EDUCATORS
C&T 825 - TESOL PRACTICUM (TEACHER TRACK ONLY)
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C&T 898 - MASTER'S PROJECT (CAPSTONE)
TESOL Licensure Endorsement
C&T 807 - MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
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C&T 820 - METHODS OF TESOL
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C&T 821 - ASSESSMENT IN TESOL
C&T 822 - SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FOR TESOL EDUCATORS
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C&T 826 - LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS FOR TESOL EDUCATORS
C&T 825 - TESOL PRACTICUM
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- Retrieved on November 1, 2021, from edweek.org/leadership/the-nations-english-learner-population-has-surged-3-things-to-know/2020/02