An online master's in TESOL and ESL trains you to teach English to students who speak another language at home, with the coursework delivered at a distance. Two kinds of program share the label: a licensure-linked one that earns or adds an ESL or ESOL credential for school classrooms, and a degree-only one aimed at adult, college and community settings.
Which kind you need depends on where you want to teach, not on the name of the degree. Public K-12 classrooms ask for a state credential, while community colleges set their own hiring terms. The sections below cover the coursework, the practicum you finish near home, the federal and state rules that reach online students, and how to pick a program.
Source: IPEDS completions and Institutional Characteristics, read October 6, 2026.
fully online master's programs in TESOL and ESL ranked, from 47 schools
49
master's degrees a year at the median ranked program
11
median out-of-state tuition and fees for a master's year, 2023-24
$15,994
home states among the 25 schools on the list
16
This ranking covers fully online master's programs in TESOL and ESL only. Hybrid programs, programs with a required campus visit and programs on campus are counted but not ranked here.
The 25 Best Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL, Ranked
The 25 best online master's programs in TESOL and ESL are ranked below by one score out of 100, built from IPEDS degrees awarded and graduate tuition and fees. Across all 49 ranked programs the median charge is $12,350 in state and $15,994 out of state, so each card's figures read high or low against that.
1
American College of Education
Master of Education in Teaching English Learners
Indianapolis, Indiana
94.1- Private for-profit
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 92 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,600
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,600
Teachers who work with English learners can add specialized training through American College of Education's online Master of Education in Teaching English Learners, which takes 31 semester credit hours. Candidates generally finish in 10 to 15 months, with new terms starting several times a year, and may follow an optional ESL track or a Bilingual Education track. Round-the-clock student support and tutoring are included. The degree does not itself guarantee a license, and individual states may ask for additional evidence before issuing certification. Accreditation of the institution is through the Higher Learning Commission.
2
90.8- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 49 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $4,416
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $4,416
Teachers of English to speakers of other languages are the audience for Greensboro College's Master of Arts in TESOL. Alongside the degree, a candidate can earn a graduate certificate in a TESOL specialty or in bilingual education without paying extra. Electives steer the coursework toward the learners a teacher expects to serve. The settings the college names are K-12 schools, community colleges and adult English instruction, tied to professional qualification and not to a single state's license.
3
90.1- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 337 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,856
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,856
Competency-based study defines Western Governors University's online Master of Arts in English Language Learning, which adds an ELL or ESL endorsement to an existing license and does not lead to initial licensure. A current valid teaching license is required for admission. The focus is PreK-12 English language learning, and the endorsement is available where the state offers one. Fieldwork includes at least fifteen hours of video-recorded observations and supervised experience with ELL students, and the degree closes with a Teacher Work Sample capstone. Tuition is a flat rate for each six-month term, and the TESOL International Association recognizes the program.
4
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)
Scottsdale, Arizona
77.8- Public
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 35 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,573
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,573
Ten accelerated courses, each 7.5 weeks long, make up Arizona State University's online Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a 30-credit-hour degree. Around core TESOL pedagogy sit six credit hours of graduate linguistics and six more from English or approved related courses. Candidates also meet a foreign-language coursework requirement and complete a supervised practicum internship and a capstone course. The degree is intended for students building a career in language education.
5
Liberty University
Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Lynchburg, Virginia
77.2- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 24 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,340
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,340
Adult, community and international settings are the intended workplaces for Liberty University's Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, a non-licensure degree and not a route to a state K-12 credential. Online courses run in 8-week terms across 30 credit hours, with a required practical internship and six credit hours of foreign-language study. Up to half of the credits can come from prior graduate work. Related tracks in Linguistics-TESL and Global and Intercultural Leadership-TESL are offered separately, and the university is accredited institutionally by SACSCOC.
6
SUNY Brockport
Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Brockport, New York
69.7- Public
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 40 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $14,668
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $12,408
New York teachers certified in birth-grade 2, grades 1-6 or grades 7-12 can take SUNY Brockport's fully online M.S.Ed. in TESOL to add their first ESOL certification, so it extends a teaching career and does not start one. Graduates qualify for the PK-12 English to Speakers of Other Languages certification from NYS, at the Initial and Professional levels. Candidates spend at least 20 days of practicum with English language learners in a formal school setting. Up to 12 credits from other accredited institutions can transfer in, and Brockport holds Middle States accreditation.
7
Concordia University-Nebraska
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Seward, Nebraska
66.7- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 13 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $7,650
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $7,650
Nebraska educators can match this credential to their goals at Concordia University-Nebraska: a 30-credit M.Ed. in TESOL with an ESL endorsement or a 15-credit endorsement-only option paired with a practicum. Both are fully online and meet Nebraska's English Second Language Endorsement standards as well as TESOL International Association standards. A 45-hour practicum places candidates with PreK-12 English learners in their own classroom or a local school. Reduced tuition goes to students affiliated with the Lutheran church or synod, and CAEP accreditation covers the program.
8
Framingham State University
Master of Education, concentration in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Framingham, Massachusetts
63.8- Public
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 23 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $13,325
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,820
Framingham State University's online Master of Education with a TESOL concentration is a state-approved route to Initial ESL Licensure in Massachusetts, for either PreK-6 or grades 5-12. Candidates take a minimum of ten courses, complete a 300-hour practicum and pass the MTEL Communication and Literacy and ESL Subject Matter tests. A comprehensive exam in the final semester replaces a thesis. The program can also move an Early Childhood or Elementary Initial license up to the Professional level, and mainstream teachers wanting something shorter can take a separate four-course Graduate Certificate in TESOL.
9
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
61.3- Private nonprofit
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 9 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $4,791
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $4,791
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla teaches its online Maestria en Educacion con Especialidad en Educacion Bilingue in Spanish, aimed at educators serving bilingual learners in Puerto Rican and Spanish-speaking settings. Of the 36 credit hours, 12 are core and 24 are in the specialty, which covers sociocultural, linguistic and psycholinguistic foundations of bilingual education, TESOL principles, K-12 bilingual classroom methodology and assessment in bilingual settings. Graduation requires a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the institution, which is authorized in Florida and Puerto Rico.
10
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa
59.6- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 12 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,170
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,170
Licensed teachers can add an Iowa TESL endorsement through the Teaching English as a Second Language emphasis of Buena Vista University's online Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction. A valid teaching license is required to enroll, and the emphasis is designed for approval by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. It is one of five 30-credit-hour tracks, the others being Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership, Talented and Gifted, Educational Studies, and AI in Education. No GRE is needed, a capstone portfolio closes the degree, and working teachers can finish in under two years.
11
58.7- Public
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 19 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $14,250
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,906
Teachers holding a valid Texas teaching certificate can use the University of Texas Permian Basin's fully online Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL Education to work toward bilingual or ESL supplemental certification and eligibility for the state exams. Candidates choose a Bilingual Education track, which requires Spanish proficiency, or an ESL Education track. Coursework totals 36 credit hours in eight-week terms with six start times a year, so a finish in as little as one year is possible. Students outside Texas are asked to confirm eligibility with their own state education agency. CAEP accredits the degree.
12
Ana G. Mendez University
Master in Education with specialization in Teaching of English as a Second Language
Orlando, Florida
57.3- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 11 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,455
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,455
Ana G. Mendez University structures its online Master in Education around one specialization, Teaching of English as a Second Language, with no separate tracks to choose between. The preparation points past daily classroom instruction toward roles such as ESL program director or ESOL instructor, positions that involve oversight and coordination of language programs as well as teaching. Delivery is online, which suits educators who are already working. The university is a private nonprofit based in Orlando, Florida.
13
Dominican University
Master of Arts in Education (English as a Second Language Endorsement pathway)
River Forest, Illinois
54.1- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 34 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $19,500
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $19,500
Dominican University lets Illinois teachers earn an English as a Second Language credential on the way to a master's through an online ESL endorsement pathway built into its Master of Arts in Education. The endorsement is 18 semester hours, while educators who already hold an LBS I endorsement need only a 9 semester hour ESL Approval. Applicants must hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License and document 100 clock hours of ESL field experience, though prior ESL teaching can stand in. Because those credits count toward the 30 semester hour degree, finishing the master's takes roughly one to three more semesters.
14
49.8- Public
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 16 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,994
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,443
Experienced educators who want to advise administrators and lead bilingual programs are the audience for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's fully online Master of Education in Bilingual Education. Candidates specialize in Dual Language and Biliteracy, ESL, or Mexican American Studies, a menu that fits the bicultural region the university serves. The Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies delivers it within the College of Education and P-16 Integration. The degree builds expertise and is not an initial certification. Graduates work as bilingual education teachers, postsecondary administrators, or ESL and adult literacy instructors.
15
Ohio Dominican University
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Columbus, Ohio
49.8- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 12 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $13,748
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $13,748
Ohio Dominican University builds its Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages around stackable TESOL credentials: a graduate certificate, a TESOL Endorsement for PreK-12, and a TESOL Multi-Age Licensure track. Teachers can add the endorsement to a license they already hold or pursue multi-age licensure to teach English learners across grade levels. The master's is offered 100% online, on campus in the evenings, or as a hybrid. An optional graduate thesis is recommended for anyone planning further advanced study in TESOL.
16
Trevecca Nazarene University
Master of Education in English as a Second Language
Nashville, Tennessee
49.4- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 10 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $12,624
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $12,624
Trevecca Nazarene University moves teachers through a cohort one course at a time in its 30-credit Master of Education in English as a Second Language, an online path toward Tennessee ESL Pre-K-12 certification that takes roughly 16 months. Licensed teachers prepare for the Praxis exam, while people without a license can aim at ESL specialist roles or take a standalone 13-credit endorsement pathway. Each candidate builds an e-portfolio and logs at least 30 hours of ESL classroom field experience. The degree is CAEP accredited and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.
17
University of Mount Saint Vincent
Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Bronx, New York
47.4- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 14 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,900
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,900
Career changers need no teaching license to enter the University of Mount Saint Vincent's 100% asynchronous online M.S. in TESOL, which runs 30 to 36 credits in 7-week terms and can be finished in 12 to 18 months. A standard track serves those who want the degree itself. The certification track adds 6 credits and prepares candidates for New York State Initial Certification in TESOL once they pass the ESOL content specialty examination. Teachers already in classrooms can instead pursue an Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate in ESOL. Standards from the New York State Education Department guide the curriculum.
18
46.7- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 7 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,111
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,111
Working K-12 teachers who want an ESL specialty can take Morningside University's 32-credit online Master of Arts in Teaching in ESL at a pace that allows completion in as little as 18 months. Fifteen credits of ESL Studies electives cover language acquisition, program methods and assessment, content-area strategies, applied linguistics, and culturally and linguistically diverse practices. An ESL practicum and a capstone action research project bring that study into real classrooms. Coursework meets Iowa Department of Education standards and may apply toward an Iowa ESL endorsement. Morningside holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
19
45.8- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 5 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,060
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,060
Huntington University teaches its online Master of Education in TESOL/EL in seven-week courses taken one at a time, an arrangement that leaves room for a full teaching schedule. Its foundation is a 15-credit-hour certificate and licensure sequence that students can finish in eight months or, on the accelerated schedule, four, with every credit counting toward the M.Ed. Indiana EL teaching licensure and renewal are the goal, and Huntington cites a 99% pass rate on the Praxis ESOL licensing test. A supervised practicum course connects the coursework to a real classroom.
20
45.5- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 5 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,322
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,322
Cornerstone University points its online Master of Arts in TESOL at different teaching settings through concentrations in Curriculum and Instruction, English for Healthcare, English for Business and Organizations, and Cross-cultural Ministry. The 30 credit hours end in a TESOL Capstone that students complete either with a thesis, which carries 20 practicum hours, or without one, which carries 60. Eligible students who take the non-thesis route with its 60 hours can qualify for a Michigan ESL endorsement. Neither the GRE nor the GMAT is required for admission.
21
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
Denver, Colorado
44.4- Public
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 35 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $26,047
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,947
Teachers who want to deepen their work with multilingual learners without earning a new license can look at the University of Colorado Denver's 30-credit Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. A required research course leads into a culminating capstone, and online classes mix synchronous and asynchronous sessions over two to three years for most students. A Personalized Professional Master's option lets candidates choose five courses from thematic categories. The standalone degree carries no licensure and asks for no current teaching license, while separate endorsement pathways serve licensed teachers. CU Denver holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
22
Sam Houston State University
Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Huntsville, Texas
42.3- Public
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 12 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $16,298
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,954
Sam Houston State University folds TESOL into its Teaching and Learning framework, so the 30 semester-hour online M.Ed. in TESOL pairs 18 hours of shared core courses with 12 hours of TESOL-specific study. Every candidate takes Action Research in Second Language Learning, a required course that asks for evidence-minded classroom inquiry. An ESL/EFL Practicum is available as an elective for those who want supervised teaching practice. The fully online format reaches candidates who work or live at a distance, and the emphasis falls on strengthening how second-language learners are taught.
23
Western Michigan University
M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Kalamazoo, Michigan
38.1- Public
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 27 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $28,454
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $19,277
Michigan teachers who hold an initial certificate can add the ESL endorsement through Western Michigan University's online M.A. in TESOL, since 24 of its 30 credits match the coursework the Michigan Department of Education requires. There are no formal tracks. Electives in literacy and language studies let each candidate shape the remaining credits around their own classroom setting. A TESOL capstone course closes the degree in place of a thesis, which keeps the final work focused on applied practice and not on research writing.
24
Texas Tech University
Master of Education in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language
Lubbock, Texas
38.1- Public
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Degrees awarded
- 11 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $17,918
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,518
Texas Tech University offers its online Master of Education in Bilingual Education and ESL as a specialization inside the Curriculum and Instruction master's degree, delivered 100% online across 30 credit hours. The specialization deepens expertise for practicing educators and is not a first credential. Candidates who want an immersive experience can opt for an international field experience working with schools in Salamanca, Spain. Because the whole degree is online, teachers outside Texas can study without relocating.
25
Saint Xavier University
Master of Arts in Education, Dual Endorsement: Learning Behavior Specialist I and Bilingual/ESL
Chicago, Illinois
37.9- Private nonprofit
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Degrees awarded
- 8 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,410
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,410
Two Illinois endorsements come from one online degree at Saint Xavier University, whose dual endorsement Master of Arts in Education combines Learning Behavior Specialist I with Bilingual/ESL. Entry requires an Illinois Professional Educator License. The 30 credit hours are spread over five semesters in a cohort pace built for working professionals, and the university describes it as Illinois' first fully online dual endorsement program of its kind. Candidates seeking the bilingual endorsement must also pass an Illinois foreign-language proficiency exam.
How We Rank
Every eligible program is scored out of 100. Each figure becomes a percentile against the 49 ranked programs, and the percentiles are weighted as below. The methodology page explains each choice.
- Degrees awarded: 50%. Master's degrees the program conferred in the latest reported year, counted up to 50. Past 50 a year a program is clearly established and more volume adds nothing.
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: 50%. The university's graduate tuition plus required fees for a full-time year, out-of-state rate, 2023-24. Lower cost scores higher.
Reading the cards. Degrees awarded is the program's own count for the latest year reported to IPEDS, counted up to 50 for the score. Each tuition figure on a TESOL and ESL card is the university's graduate charge for a full-time year, read from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24. It is not a per-credit price or an online-only rate, so ask the program for its own.
Source: federal IPEDS records, read October 6, 2026. Tuition and fees are 2023-24. Scores are our own.
How Many Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL Are There?
There are 71 fully online master's programs in TESOL and ESL, out of 217 on federal record, and 49 of them are ranked above. A program counts as fully online when the school's own description of it says the whole degree can be completed at a distance, in line with the federal definition of an exclusively distance education program. In TESOL and ESL, a required campus residency makes a program hybrid here, even when most of the coursework is online, while a student teaching or practicum placement near home does not.
What Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Cost?
An online master's in TESOL and ESL costs from $4,416 to $48,075 a year out of state in graduate tuition and required fees across the 49 ranked programs, with a median of $15,994. In state the median is $12,350. These are each university's annual graduate charge from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24 rather than a per-credit price or an online-only rate, so a TESOL and ESL program's own price page is the figure to plan on.
What Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Cover?
An online master's in TESOL and ESL covers how English is structured, how a second language is acquired, and how to plan, teach and assess lessons for English learners. TESOL International's standards for initial Pre-K-12 TESOL teacher preparation sort that work into five areas: knowledge about language, English learners in their sociocultural context, planning and implementing instruction, assessment and evaluation, and professionalism and leadership.
Programs package the same ground differently. Greensboro College's online M.A. in TESOL is ten courses and 30 credits on language, culture, pedagogy and research, with electives you choose and a graduate certificate earned alongside the degree.
How Long Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Take?
An online master's in TESOL and ESL takes about 15 to 18 months at Greensboro College, which also lists a 12-month fast track for full-time study. The University of Colorado Denver recommends two to three years for its 30-credit degree.
Teachers who keep working often study part time, which stretches the same credits over more terms. Greensboro College lets students choose how many credits to take each session. A licensure track adds supervised field hours on a school's calendar, so ask when practicum terms start and whether a summer placement is possible.
Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Lead to a Teaching License?
An online master's in TESOL and ESL leads to a teaching license only when the program is built as a licensure track, and many tracks add an ESL credential to a license you already hold. SUNY Brockport's program is for teachers with New York certification and leads to ESOL certification for grades PK-12. Framingham State University's online M.Ed. goes further, leading to an initial Massachusetts ESL license with a 300-hour practicum and two state tests. Other degrees state the opposite: the University of Colorado Denver says its M.A. does not include licensure or an endorsement.
The practicum puts you in front of real English learners, so an online student completes it in a school near home. Dominican University's online ESL endorsement asks for 100 clock hours of ESL field experience or three months of ESL teaching experience.
How Do State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures Apply to Online TESOL and ESL Students?
State authorization and licensure disclosures apply to online TESOL and ESL students through 34 CFR 668.43, which makes a school list the states where its program does and does not meet licensure requirements. If the program falls short in your state, the school must tell you before you enroll, and it must notify enrolled students within 14 calendar days of determining that. Email counts as writing.
The school applies one consistent policy to decide which state you live in, so give it your home address and the state where you plan to teach. NC-SARA says its interstate agreement does not address approval by licensing boards, so a school's right to enroll you is a different matter from your state's right to credential you. An ESL credential is also state-specific: a program built around New York or Massachusetts requirements may not satisfy yours.
What Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Cost Besides Tuition?
An online master's in TESOL and ESL costs more than tuition once you add fees, the state tests a license requires, and any expense of arranging a practicum. Most programs quote a per-credit price, so multiply it by the program's credit total, which is 30 at both Greensboro College and SUNY Brockport. These annual graduate charges come from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics and describe a full-time year, which suits comparing schools better than budgeting a part-time degree.
Aid exists for this field. The federal TEACH Grant offers up to $8,000 for graduate study, and teaching English language acquisition or bilingual education satisfies its service obligation of four years within eight. A grant you do not earn through service converts to a loan, so ask whether the program is eligible.
Where Do TESOL Graduates Teach English Learners?
TESOL graduates teach English learners in public schools, community colleges and community-based organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes adult basic, secondary and ESL teaching in its Occupational Outlook Handbook: public school teachers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and a license or certification, some community colleges prefer a master's or graduate coursework in ESL, and classes often meet in the morning or evening with part-time posts common.
The adult education and ESL teacher guide covers the adult side, and the licensure guide by state names the agency that issues your ESL credential for school classrooms.
How Much Do Jobs Tied to an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Pay?
Jobs tied to an online master's in TESOL and ESL pay a median of $61,540 a year in the closest federal occupation, Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, in May 2025. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts 37,310 workers in that occupation, and the lowest-paid tenth earn $41,810 or less while the highest-paid tenth earn $98,030 or more.
The Bureau's Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for this occupation covers projected growth, entry requirements and typical duties.
These are national wages for the occupation as a whole, not what a master's graduate earns, so a district's salary schedule or an employer's own pay scale is the figure to plan on.
How Should You Choose an Online TESOL Program?
To choose an online TESOL program, decide first whether you need a state credential or only the degree, then match the program to your state agency's requirements. For a school credential, look for educator-preparation accreditation such as that of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Initial TESOL programs submit reports to TESOL International for national recognition ahead of a CAEP accreditation visit.
Then compare whether the school names your state in its licensure disclosure, how it finds practicum sites and supervisors near you, and its credit total and per-credit price. The ranking above sorts on federal degree counts and tuition, so confirm the rest with the school.
How Do You Earn an ESL Credential With an Online Master's in TESOL?
You earn an ESL credential with an online master's in TESOL by working backward from the credential your state issues, then choosing the program that leads to it.
- Look up your state's ESL credential. Find the ESL or ESOL license or endorsement your state agency issues, along with its grade bands, required coursework, practicum hours and tests.
- Pick a credential track or a degree-only track. Choose an endorsement or initial-license program if you want a school credential, or a degree-only program for adult or college teaching.
- Request the licensure determination in writing. Ask the school whether its program meets requirements in your state and keep the reply, since the federal rule requires disclosure before you enroll.
- Arrange a practicum close to home. Learn how the program finds a school and a supervisor near you, and whether hours in your own classroom with English learners can count.
- Pass the exams and apply. Finish the coursework and field hours, take any required state tests, then send transcripts and the program's recommendation to your state agency.
Common Questions About Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL
How Many Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL Are There?
How Much Does an Online Master's in TESOL and ESL Cost?
What Are the Best Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL?
Are Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL Accredited?
How Are Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL Ranked?
Do Adult ESL and Community College Jobs Require a Teaching License?
Do You Need to Speak Another Language to Study TESOL Online?
What Is the Difference Between an ESL Endorsement and an ESL Master's Degree?
Can an Out-of-State Online TESOL Program Lead to Your Own State's ESL Credential?
Is a Graduate Certificate in TESOL a Shorter Option Than the Master's?
Where Do the Figures on These Online Master's Programs in TESOL and ESL Come From?
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24
- Distance Education in IPEDS
- College Navigator
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 34 CFR 668.43, Institutional and programmatic information (eCFR)
- NC-SARA, Professional Licensure
- TESOL International Association, Standards for Initial TESOL Pre-K-12 Teacher Preparation Programs
- Framingham State University, TESOL M.Ed.
- SUNY Brockport, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages M.S.Ed.
- Dominican University, English as a Second Language endorsement
- Greensboro College, M.A. in TESOL
- University of Colorado Denver, M.A. in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
- Federal Student Aid, TEACH Grant counseling guide
The figures on these online master's programs in TESOL and ESL come from federal records that each college reports about itself, as of the dates shown. Each card's description is researched from that program's own page, which the card links.
Show the federal record for all 25 colleges ranked, in 16 states and 1 territory
American College of Education Greensboro College Western Governors University Arizona State University Digital Immersion Liberty University SUNY Brockport Concordia University-Nebraska Framingham State University Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Buena Vista University The University of Texas Permian Basin Ana G. Mendez University Dominican University The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ohio Dominican University Trevecca Nazarene University University of Mount Saint Vincent Morningside University Huntington University Cornerstone University University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Sam Houston State University Western Michigan University Texas Tech University Saint Xavier University