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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

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Graduate Certificate

This program prepares you to teach English as an additional language in post-secondary schools, adult education settings and private language institutes in the US and abroad. It can also help pre-service and in-service teachers gain competence in working with English language learners in their grade-level and content-area classrooms, though the certificate alone does not qualify a teacher for TESOL endorsement from the state of Ohio.

The graduate TESOL certificate program is designed for people who have a bachelor's degree in any field, including current University of Dayton graduate students and non-students.

Program Overview

Certificate Information and Courses

Classes Include Structure of English, Introduction to Linguistics, Second Language Learning and Teaching, TESOL Methods and TESOL Practicum. This program is 15 credits total.

This TESOL certificate is available either in a traditional classroom setting or as a fully online program. The online program is ideal for students who are unable to attend sessions on campus, or students for whom self-paced learning is more desirable. For more information about the online TESOL certificate program, email Colleen Gallagher.

Several courses in this certificate overlap with the literacy concentration of the educational leadership M.S.E., with only two additional courses needed if you're also enrolled in the master's program.

Program Highlights

  • Flexible options for completing the certificate: You can pick the pace and setting that is right for you. It is possible to complete the certificate in three semesters if you take two courses a term, or you can take one course at a time. You may also choose online classes or face-to-face courses on campus.
  • Combining theory and practice: In addition to learning academically, you will gain hands-on experience with teaching English Language Learners.
  • Career Opportunities: Teaching English outside of the U.S. is growing in importance, and employment opportunities exist in a variety of education and business settings. A TESOL certificate will give you the credential you need to live and work abroad. In addition, P-12 school districts are experiencing a shortage of teachers trained to work effectively with English learners in content area and grade-level classrooms.

Visit the Catalog to view additional details about the graduate certificate in TESOL, including requirements and course descriptions.

Visit the Catalog

Application and Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

  • GPA: 2.75 or higher undergraduate GPA, OR successfully completed a prior master's degree.
  • Test scores: If undergraduate GPA is below 2.75, one of following: MAT – raw score 40+/scaled score 396+; GRE scaled scores of 149+ (verbal) and 4.0+ (analytical writing).
  • Academic and professional background: Bachelor's degree in any field; prior language study or experience in non-English speaking country strongly preferred; experience with international populations and education helpful.
  • English proficiency: Professional and academic proficiency in written English as demonstrated through application materials; additionally, if English is not a first language, prior degree from English-medium university OR minimum test scores as follows: TOEFL iBT – 94 (listening – 22, speaking – 26, reading – 22, writing – 24); IELTS – 7.0 (6.5+ for all subscores); exceptions considered for strong candidates whose scores approach these minimums

Application Requirements

New applicants who are not current or recent UD graduate students need to submit all of the items listed below. Current UD graduate students need only submit an electronic application, an updated statement of purpose and test scores if applicable.

  • Official transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate studies.
  • One letter of recommendation from an employer, professor or another individual in a position to evaluate your professional and academic potential.
  • A statement of purpose that addresses your future goals and motivation for joining the program; your prior experience with language, international populations, education and any other relevant areas
  • A résumé.
  • TOEFL iBT, IELTS, MAT or GRE scores, as needed.

Additional requirements apply for international students.

Admission Account
Graduate Admission Information
International Graduate Admission
TESOL Certificate/Endorsement Checklist (.pdf)

Tuition

To learn if this graduate certificate is eligible for financial aid, please contact Graduate Academic Affairs or Flyer Student Services.

Tuition for this graduate certificate is the rate for a master's program in the School of Education and Health Sciences.

Graduate Tuition