An Online TESOL Graduate Certificate for EFL, TEFL or ESL Teaching
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate prepares you to teach either:
- English as a Foreign Language (EFL / TEFL) in international settings, or
- English as a Second Language (ESL) in domestic settings in adult education or other contexts in which a teaching license is not required.
You'll earn 16 credits via five courses, including one with an experiential component which will allow you to apply concepts and skills you've learned by working one-on-one with an English language learner. The certificate program can be completed in two semesters as a full-time student, or longer if you are a working professional. This program is not associated with a teaching license.
A Variety of Career Options
This internationally marketable certificate prepares you for employment in the high-demand field known as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language (EFL / TEFL / ESL). With this graduate certificate you have the flexibility to live and work overseas, or teach diverse populations in the U.S. in non-school based settings.
A Premier Credential
There are various credentials related to teaching English to adult students. A graduate-level TESOL certificate from a respected research university like UNC is highly valued by employers, and is broadly useful in that it covers teaching in both the ESL and TEFL contexts.
The TESOL graduate certificate consists of five courses. You can complete the program in one year or less by taking two courses per term, or can take one course per term and finish in 20 months if you want to pace your coursework around a busy schedule.
You can start any Fall, Spring or Summer term. The ECLD 610 course, which allows you to apply program knowledge while instructing English language learners, will be taken during your final semester.
Coursework (16 Credit Hours)
Required Courses (13 Credit Hours)
To see the upcoming courses, visit this program's Current Students page.
- ECLD 592 Second Language Acquisition Theory (3)
- ECLD 594 Foundations of Language and Linguistics for ESL/Bilingual Educators (3)
- ECLD 610 Practices in ESL/EFL Instruction and Assessment (3) and EDFE 501 Practicum (1) – ECLD 610 and EDFE 501 will be taken together which provides students with opportunities for hands-on experiences that deepen understanding and strengthen competencies.
- EDRD 523 Academic Language/Literacy Development for Diverse Learners in School Settings (3)
Elective Courses (3 Credit Hours)
- ECLD 593 Language, School and Society (3) or another approved elective course
TESOL as Part of a Master's Degree
- The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages / Multilingual Education (TESOL; Master's) is a master's degree version of this program.
- Students who complete the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (Master's or Endorsement) program and add in this TESOL certificate will not be required to take EDFE 501.
- Students who complete the World Languages / Multilingual Education (Master's with Licensure; Become a Teacher) program that take EDFE 501 in a world languages setting and also add in this TESOL certificate will still need to take EDFE 501 in a TESOL setting.
For full details, see the official program listing in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Get Started/Apply
Additional Resources
- Visit the School of Teacher Education page for this certificate program.
- Learn more about the Teacher Education faculty.
Related Programs
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages / Multilingual Education (TESOL; Master's)
- World Languages / Multilingual Education (Master's with Licensure; Become a Teacher)
- Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (Master's or Endorsement)
- Teaching Diverse Learners (Master's; includes Endorsements)