Master's in TESOL Online
Master's in TESOL Online
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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.
Yes. The TESOL degree is available for active teaching professionals who have a current teaching license. This master’s degree focuses on teaching graduates to work directly with bilingual or English Language Learner (ELL) students; however, it does not lead to licensure.
According to Statista, English is the most spoken language worldwide, either natively or as a second language.3 While 90% of U.S. employers need multilingual talent in their workforce, 44 U.S. states report a shortage of language educators.1 Deciding to pursue GCU’s on-campus and online TESOL master’s degree can provide you with the opportunity to elevate the language education profession and advocate for the transformative impact of language learning.
English has become increasingly important for young people in terms of international communication and employability. In 2022, the country with the most students learning English as a foreign language was the United Kingdom with 262,373 learners, while the United States came in fourth with 100,105 English learners.4 No matter where you live, teaching English to speakers of other languages can be a beneficial skill to have.
The salary for someone with a master’s in TESOL can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, specialization, and the type of institution. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, kindergarten and elementary school teachers had a median annual wage of $63,670 in May 2023.2
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.
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.
Transform your passion for language into a profession. Pursue an MA in TESOL online or in person.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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:
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
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
Percentage of U.S. employers needing multilingual talent in their workforce1
Median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers as of May 20232
