Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language

Who is this program for?

The Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) is ideal for individuals who are passionate about helping non-native speakers develop proficiency in English to succeed academically and professionally. Graduates can pursue careers as ESL teachers, curriculum developers, or language program directors, working in K-12 schools, universities, adult education centers, or international education programs to enhance language acquisition and cultural integration.

Program Overview

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers a Master’s degree (36 cr.) and a Graduate Certificate (12 cr.) in TESL. The TESL Program is dedicated to developing professional English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers for a career in education. The faculty work closely with learners to deepen their understanding of second language learning, teaching methods and the English language. We orient teachers to learner-centered pedagogy which requires teachers to be empathetic to learners’ needs, understanding of how and why people learn and skilled at second language teaching methods and techniques.

Our Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), recognizing our commitment to high standards in teacher preparation. This accreditation assures prospective students that our program meets rigorous benchmarks for quality, continuous improvement, and positive impact in the field of education.

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Credit Hours
36
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Credential
MA
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Tuition / Credit Hour
Resident $825.50
Non-Resident $2,060.50

Plan to Pursue Licensure Outside of Kentucky?

If you plan to obtain professional licensure outside of Kentucky, please refer to the Licensure page to confirm whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in your state of interest.

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What You'll Learn


Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.

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As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!

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Complete the form to get the latest updates on this program, including special events and application deadlines.

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Things to do on this form:
Take away "Term" for Transfers - "Unknown Term"? As well as "Not in High School"
And the same for "Online"

Possibly remove the "Readmit" option.
Feel like it would be pretty easy to see if the person already exists in our system and has a program enrollment record associated with them, which would shift them from "Freshman" or "Transfer" to "Readmit"
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The University of Kentucky defines international applicants as those with citizenship other than the United States of America. Exception: Permanent Residents of the United States should complete a domestic application.

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