Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) (MA, Licensure)

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program will prepare you to teach students in the United States and throughout in the world. A campus-wide focus on cultural diversity will introduce you to a community of learners in a local context. You will learn the intricacies of linguistics and teaching from specialists who have lived, worked and taught throughout the world.

Put theory into practice with the opportunity to put apply your skills in a graduate assistantship at St. Cloud State's English for Academic Purposes program or the Intensive English Center, a program that trains more than 100 English language learners from more than 15 countries each year. 

Select from a master of arts or one of two graduate certificates. 

  • The TESOL graduate certificate prepares novice Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESL) or Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to teach in entry level positions in non-college teaching positions internationally.
  • The advanced certificate program is for individuals with a previous Master's degree who would like to teach ESL at the college level.

The St. Cloud State Advantage

  • The licensure program is available on campus or online with a previous Minnesota license, the K-12 ESL licensure program course can be completed online. 
  • The on-campus program can be taken in conjunction with a K-12 ESL licensure for the state of Minnesota.
  • Emphases offering in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and K-12 English as a Second Language Licensure 
  • The federally-sponsored TEACH Grant program offers up to $4,000 per year for students seeking K-12 ESL licensure​.
  • 1+1 options offered in conjunction with partner institutions in Korea. 
  • Graduates have gone on to teach throughout the United States and 19 other countries.
  • ​The program's faculty hold the highest degrees in their fields and have a combined 100 years of teaching experience.
  • Opportunity to participate in a graduate assistantship at the on-campus English for Academic Purposes program or Intensive English Center

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Application Deadlines

U.S. Citizens International
Outside U.S.
International
Inside U.S.
Fall August 1 August 1 (Online)
May 15 (On Campus)
August 1
Spring December 1 December 1 (Online)
September 15 (On Campus)
December 1
Summer May 1 May 1 (Online)
February 15 (On Campus
May 1

Graduate Director: Dr. John Madden

Apply Now

Graduate Certificate

TESL Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages offers you courses to prepare you to be an entry-level teacher in a classroom English as a second language to students in the United States or teaching English as a foreign language in a non-college position internationally. 

You'll learn how to adapt existing materials to meet the needs of students who are second language users of English, and to prepare instruction with the focus of developing communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing across the curriculum. 

Note: Certificate coursework does not include credits required to test for K-12 licensure. 

Additional Resources

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Paying for Your Education Use these resources to financially support the completion of your degree

The Office of Financial Aid is your resource for financial assistance options such as financial aid, loans and grants. SCSU also offers graduate assistantships in many campus offices and departments each academic year.

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English and the Intensive English Center

Learn more about English and the Intensive English Center at St. Cloud State University - faculty, student opportunities, and more.

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