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Best Master's In ESL Online Programs

Advertiser Disclosure Updated: Aug 28, 2024, 9:20am

Best Master’s In ESL Online Programs Of 2024

Matt WhittleEducation Writer

Matt Whittle has experience writing and editing accessible education-related content in health, technology, nursing and business subjects. His work has been featured on Sleep.org, Psychology.org and NurseJournal.org.

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Matt Whittle

Matt WhittleEducation Writer

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Education Writer

Ilana HamiltonUpdate Editor, Education

With five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn...

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Ilana Hamilton

Ilana HamiltonUpdate Editor, Education

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Updated: Aug 28, 2024, 9:20am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

English language learners in the American school system often rely on English as a second language (ESL) programs, also called English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs, to sharpen their English skills.

ESL and ESOL programs require teachers who possess a strong knowledge of English and other languages. ESL educators should also have compassion to assist learners of all ages, including young children.

To work in public schools, teachers need a teaching license and at least a bachelor’s degree. From there, they can specialize their work with certifications, like ESL and ESOL credentials. By earning a master’s in ESL online, you can focus your teaching career on English language learners.

We’ve ranked the best colleges and universities in the U.S. offering master’s in ESL online programs. Read on to learn more.

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

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Best Teaching Degree Programs

Show Summary

Key Takeaways

An ESL master’s degree prepares teachers to specialize in working with English language learners.
Earning an ESL master’s online can make it easier for current teachers and other busy professionals and caregivers to balance their studies with outside commitments.
Most online master’s in ESL programs take about two years to finish. However, accelerated tracks can last as little as one year, and part-time programs may take longer.
A typical ESL master’s online curriculum entails about 24 to 36 credits.
Many ESL programs feature fieldwork or practicum requirements, which distance learners can often complete locally.

Best Online Master’s in ESL Degree Options

University of Southern California
Concordia University, Nebraska
Arizona State University Online
Concordia University Chicago
Campbellsville University
Hamline University
Bay Path University
Eastern University
Canisius University
Biola University

University of Southern California

Graduate Tuition

$2,354/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

60%

Overall Graduation Rate

93%

$2,354/credit

60%

93%

Why We Picked It

At Los Angeles’ University of Southern California (USC), students can pursue an online Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This program uses synchronous learning to mirror the in-person experience and maximize interactions with peers and instructors.

Learners seeking teaching credentials must complete fieldwork in schools in their local areas. California residents can add a single subject teaching credential in world languages by completing four additional credits. Full-time students usually graduate from this program in 17 months.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on a set schedule
School Type: Private
Application Fee: $90
Degree Credit Requirements: 24-28 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Social foundations of language education, applied linguistics for language teachers
Concentrations Available: N/A
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical practice (credential option)

Concordia University, Nebraska

Graduate Tuition

$450/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

98%

Overall Graduation Rate

63%

$450/credit

98%

63%

Why We Picked It

Concordia University, Nebraska, located in Seward, features an online Master of Education in TESOL with flexible, asynchronous coursework. This program incorporates a Christian perspective and holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Along with classroom instruction, learners learn to assess their students and develop a curriculum.

The program includes a 45-hour practicum and culminates with an ESL/TESOL capstone in which learners summarize their experiences across the program and practicum.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
School Type: Private
Application Fee: Free
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: ESL/ELL instruction, linguistics for educators
Concentrations Available: N/A
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for practicum

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Graduate Tuition

$7,447/semester (full-time)

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

100%

Overall Graduation Rate

52%

$7,447/semester (full-time)

100%

52%

Why We Picked It

Phoenix’s Arizona State University (ASU) offers an online master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages through its distance learning division, ASU Online. The program uses modern language learning software and teaching methods to prepare students for teaching ESL.

Each student completes a practicum internship through online delivery or in-person attendance in the student’s home area to develop relevant teaching experience. The program also includes a capstone culminating experience in which learners work closely with faculty to create a project that validates their knowledge of the coursework.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Public
Application Fee: $70
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Methods of teaching English as a second language, second-language acquisition theories
Concentrations Available: N/A
In-Person Requirements: Yes, practicum internship may be in person

Concordia University Chicago

Graduate Tuition

$505/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

89%

Overall Graduation Rate

50%

$505/credit

89%

50%

Why We Picked It

Concordia University Chicago‘s Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction includes an ESL endorsement that aligns with TESOL standards. This program also holds accreditation from CAEP.

Fieldwork occurs throughout the program across several classes. For example, each learner completes five hours of fieldwork in a language and linguistics course, along with 20 hours in assessment of language minority students. Each student completes two capstone courses in their final year: teacher as researcher and seminar in reflective practice.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: $50
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Assessment of language minority students
Concentrations Available: ESL, bilingual
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for fieldwork

Campbellsville University

Graduate Tuition

$432/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

95%

Overall Graduation Rate

39%

$432/credit

95%

39%

Why We Picked It

Campbellsville University (CU), a Christian institution located in Kentucky, features an online Master of Arts in TESOL. The program holds accreditation from CAEP. Learners can choose a thesis or non-thesis track; both pathways include a practicum experience.

Each non-thesis student completes a research paper to culminate their degree. A practicum course delivers English teaching experience and prepares learners for overseeing classrooms and developing curricula.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
School Type: Private
Application Fee: $25
Degree Credit Requirements: 36 to 39 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Linguistic phonetics, modern English grammar
Concentrations Available: N/A
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for practicum

Hamline University

Graduate Tuition

$570/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

76%

Overall Graduation Rate

67%

$570/credit

76%

67%

Why We Picked It

At St. Paul, Minnesota’s Hamline University, students can pursue an online master’s in TESOL accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The program allows learners to culminate the program with either a thesis or capstone course and choose from concentrations in teaching adults or K-12 classrooms.

Hamline’s TESOL program takes a cultural focus, fostering expertise in language systems to maximize collaboration across society. The K-12 teaching concentration includes 30 hours of clinical experience in an ESL methods course.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: Free
Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Linguistics for language teachers, advanced linguistic analysis
Concentrations Available: K-12 teaching, adult
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical/practice experience

Bay Path University

Graduate Tuition

$560/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

78%

Overall Graduation Rate

55%

$560/credit

78%

55%

Why We Picked It

The online master’s in ESL program at Bay Path University, based in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, offers licensure pathways for pre-K through sixth-grade teachers and fifth- through 12th-grade teachers, along with a non-licensure track.

The licensure pathways include supervised practicum experiences. Bay Path delivers coursework through a cultural lens to prepare future educators to teach in various classroom types. Students can choose from start dates in May and September.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: N/A
Degree Credit Requirements: 39 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Unique populations of ESL learners, multisensory language and literature strategies
Concentrations Available: Initial licensure pre-K-6, initial licensure 5-12, non-licensure
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for practicum

Eastern University

Graduate Tuition

$781/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

91%

Overall Graduation Rate

62%

$781/credit

91%

62%

Why We Picked It

At Eastern University, located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, students can pursue an online Master of Education in TESOL. Coursework blends asynchronous and synchronous delivery to create a flexible learning environment with opportunities for collaboration and communication.

Each student completes 10 hours of observation in a language testing and materials development course. The degree culminates with a fieldwork capstone in which each learner develops a portfolio across 50 hours of real-world experience.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: N/A
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, part-time, full-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Education in a global context, multicultural education
Concentrations Available: N/A
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for field experience

Canisius University

Graduate Tuition

$915/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

81%

Overall Graduation Rate

68%

$915/credit

81%

68%

Why We Picked It

Based in Buffalo, New York, Canisius University offers an online master’s in TESOL that leads to New York TESOL certification for educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade. Students choose from three start dates per year and complete the full degree program in one to two years.

This 30-credit master of science includes supervised field experience and offers several electives, including adolescent literacy and methods of teaching the subject areas in the native language.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: N/A
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Full time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Cultural perspectives in multilingual education, methods and materials of teaching English to speakers of other languages
Concentrations Available: Certification track, non-certification track
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for fieldwork

Biola University

Graduate Tuition

$698/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

58%

Overall Graduation Rate

70%

$698/credit

58%

70%

Why We Picked It

California’s Biola University serves about 5,300 learners through its online programs and campus in La Mirada. The university’s fully online Master of Arts in multilingual, multicultural education serves pre-K through 12th grade educators seeking graduate education with a Christian emphasis.

M.A. candidates can choose among four specializations. California educators who are fluent in Spanish can elect the bilingual authorization – Spanish specialization to add a bilingual authorization to their existing teaching credentials. All specializations include a capstone course, and some require fieldwork, which students may complete in their home areas.

What To Know

Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
School Type: Private
Application Fee: $65
Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time
Notable Major-Specific Courses: Current issues in multilingual and multicultural education, culture and Christianity
Concentrations Available: Bilingual authorization – Spanish, bilingualism and biliteracy for young learners, language acquisition: assessment and learning, personalized
In-Person Requirements: Yes, for fieldwork

Should You Enroll in an Online Master’s in ESL Program?

Though many students have turned to online learning as colleges and universities have expanded their remote offerings, distance education brings a distinct set of challenges when compared to in-person learning. Always consider your personal learning style, along with any personal or professional obligations, before committing to an online master’s in ESL program.

Online degrees provide additional flexibility, often allowing you to complete courses and assignments entirely on your schedule. On the other hand, this freedom requires you to stick to a consistent schedule and practice strong organizational skills. If you prefer the structure and accountability of a traditional classroom environment, you might prefer a hybrid or in-person program.

Keep the following considerations in mind as you research and compare online programs.

Accreditation for an Online Master’s in ESL Degree

Accreditation is a voluntary process through which schools and their programs receive evaluation from third-party organizations. These accreditors assess elements such as student outcomes, available resources and coursework to ensure institutions and programs deliver top-tier education and prepare students for the workforce.

Institutional Accreditation

Attend an institutionally accredited school if you want to qualify for professional certifications, transfer credits between schools or receive federal student aid. To become a licensed teacher, you’ll need a degree from an accredited college or university.

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education recognize several agencies that provide accreditation at the institutional level. The most popular institutional accreditors are the following:

Higher Learning Commission
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
New England Commission of Higher Education

Programmatic Accreditation

This form of accreditation assures students that a particular program or department meets rigorous industry standards. Though there is no specific accreditor for ESL or TESOL programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) accredit master’s-level education programs.

How To Find the Right Online Master’s in ESL for You

Consider Your Future Goals

Before applying to any ESL master’s programs, take a big-picture view of your personal and professional aspirations. Recognizing your goals from the outset of your journey can help you find your ideal program.

Though most states only require a bachelor’s degree and licensure to teach in public schools, earning a master’s degree in education—especially with a concentration in ESL—can help you stand out from the competition and increase your earning potential.

Understanding your goals ahead of time can help you pick the right graduate school. For example, do you plan to work with English language learners who speak a specific language? If so, prioritize programs that may provide placements or opportunities to teach those students. Do you want to teach ESOL in a particular state? Seek a program that prepares you for TESOL certification in that state.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Completing a master’s in ESL online program requires an investment of time, energy and finances. Before applying to any schools, research tuition and fees. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) tracks tuition data for U.S. higher education institutions.

According to NCES, graduate students at public universities paid an annual average of $12,596 in tuition and fees for the 2021–2022 school year. Private schools charged significantly higher tuition rates, averaging $28,017 per year.

Among the schools on this page, many stay within an $8,000 to $13,000 range for annual tuition. Tuition for the schools on this list averages about $12,500 per year.

To secure help financing your degree, start by filling out the FAFSA®, which provides information on your eligibility for financial aid, like federal loans. Also, research sources of aid that do not require repayment, such as grants and scholarships. You can find funding opportunities through state resources, nonprofit organizations, schools and other third parties.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About an Online Master’s in ESL Degree

How long is a master’s in ESL?

A master’s in ESL typically takes two years of full-time enrollment to earn. Part-time enrollment can extend this timeline to three years or more, while programs with accelerated pathways may take just one year to complete.

Can you teach ESL with a master’s in education?

Yes, but specific requirements vary by state. All jurisdictions require at least a bachelor’s degree to teach at public schools. Aspiring teachers typically must earn certification or licensure in ESL or its equivalent to teach English to English language learners. This credential generally requires candidates to pass a test and build TESOL experience.

Are ESL teachers in demand?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for adult ESL teachers will decrease by 13% from 2022 to 2032, indicating low demand compared to the national average projected growth rate of 3%. Growth prospects for other ESL teachers are somewhat more favorable, with the BLS projecting job growth of 1% (little to no change) for elementary, middle and high school teachers, including ESL teachers for students at these levels. Employment for preschool teachers is projected to keep up with the national average rate.

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Matt Whittle

Education Writer

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