Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language
In addition to completing successfully the TESL coursework, candidates must complete the following requirements in order to apply for certification in Teaching English as a Second Language:
Student Teaching (9 credit hours)
Candidates for TESL certification must successfully complete EDUC 750-013: Student Teaching. This is typically done during the second semester of year two in the recommended course schedule.
Certification Elective (3 credit hours)
In addition to the 33 credits required in the master's degree program, candidates for TESL certification must complete an additional 3-credit required course: EDUC 614, Teaching Exceptional Adolescents.
Additional Certification Requirements
Depending on your specialization, the following additional certification requirements may apply to you:
- Bilingual teachers need to be able to communicate effectively in the target group's language in order to be able to teach content areas in that language. This requirement can be fulfilled by completing 15 hours of coursework in the target language at or above third-year college level, or by passing a language proficiency test.
- ESL teachers need to have at least 6 hours of a foreign language at intermediate level or pass a proficiency test.
- Language courses are not counted as degree credits. Students are encouraged to complete the language requirement prior to entering the program or over the winter and summer sessions.
- Non-native speakers of English who plan to use their MA-TESL degree in the United States, or apply for certification, need to establish proof of their English proficiency by taking the University UDIA and SPEAK tests, scoring 250 and 55, respectively. These tests are administered by the ELI. Students should contact the ELI to make testing arrangements.
