Master's in TESOL Online

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Overview

Prepare To Teach in Diverse Classrooms

In our globally connected world, experiencing different cultures and languages is commonplace. As individuals migrate internationally, the demand for comprehensive language instruction increases. If you have a passion for teaching and a desire to make an impact, this degree may be right for you.

The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Grand Canyon University offers a pathway for teaching professionals to pursue opportunities working with students from non-English speaking countries. Whether you take this advanced degree online or in person, it is designed to help licensed educators accommodate the diverse and culturally enriched classroom. 

TESOL teacher in front of class
Why GCU

Pursue Your Degree From GCU

All courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty in their fields, enabling you to confidently explore curricular areas such as linguistics, second language acquisition and curriculum development.

Throughout the program, you will study professional and ethical practices as guided by the principles and morals of the Christian worldview. You will examine TESOL concepts, theories and research through coursework, as well as through observational and practice-based learning experiences.

TESOL teacher works with students

Earn Your MA in TESOL Online

An online master’s degree offers working professionals the opportunity to enhance their academic credentials while continuing to meet the responsibilities of their current positions. This flexible format can allow you to balance work, study and personal commitments, making it an ideal choice for busy educators.

TESOL teacher smiles at camera

Program Requirements

This master's in TESOL degree is available for active licensed teaching professionals. All degree applicants must have access to a pre-K-12 classroom with English as a second language in order to complete the assignments and the practicum course. All applicants are required to submit a copy of their current teaching license or provide documentation proving a minimum of one year of teaching experience. Upon completion of the program, graduates are one step closer to being eligible to pursue the ESL and/or BLE endorsement in the state of Arizona.

Coursework

Courses and Topics

This master’s in TESOL degree can help prepare licensed educators to employ best practices in teaching English to speakers of other languages. 

Additionally, you will be required to complete practicum/field experience hours in the United States as part of this program. You will need to complete a total of 110 hours of observational and practice-based experiences.

Enrolling in GCU’s TESOL master’s program can provide you with opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in real classrooms, working directly with bilingual or English Language Learner (ELL) students. 

Some of the specialized topic areas you will study include:

  • Applied quantitative and qualitative research in education
  • Teaching and learning based on neuroscience, behavioral and cognitive sciences
  • Current language models and prototypes
  • Historical, sociological, political and legal foundations of instructional programs
  • Multicultural education
  • Social, community, cultural and individual differences in teaching and learning
  • Fundamentals of linguistics and language acquisition theories
  • Evaluation and structuring of assessments
  • Culturally responsive curriculum, instructional methods and materials
  • Literacy development through multicultural literature
Careers

Career Paths for Graduates

This master’s degree can open up a diverse array of career paths, allowing you to leverage your expertise in language teaching across various educational and professional settings. From teaching English abroad to developing language programs and working in educational administration, the opportunities are vast and varied. Graduates may be qualified to pursue positions in public, private or charter schools. 

Here are some potential career paths for this non-licensure program, where your preexisting license will determine whom you can teach and where: 

English as a second language instructor

Preschool teacher

Kindergarten teacher

Elementary school teacher

Middle school teacher

Secondary school teacher

Adult secondary education

90%

Percentage of U.S. employers needing multilingual talent in their workforce1

$63,670

Median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers as of May 20232

Accreditation

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University

The Master of Arts in TESOL degree is offered through the College of Education at GCU and is institutionally accredited. The program was designed to align with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (ITASC) and the Standards for the Recognition of Initial TESOL Programs in PK-12 ESL Teacher Education.  

FAQ

Master’s in TESOL Frequently Asked Questions

GCU has answered your frequently asked questions about pursuing a degree that allows you to work directly with bilingual or English Language Learner (ELL) students.

TESOL teacher smiles for camera

Begin Your TESOL Journey

Transform your passion for language into a profession. Pursue an MA in TESOL online or in person.

Apply Now

If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).

1 Statista. (2024). The Most Spoken Languages Worldwide in 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2024.

2 Language Connects Foundation (n.d.) Championing Language Education To Create Deeper Connections. Retrieved June 7, 2024. 

3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on June 7, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

4 Statista. (2024). Number of Students Learning English as a Foreign Language in 2022, by Country. Retrieved June 7, 2024. 

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