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Teaching English as a Second Language, Add-on Licensure

Supporting ESL Learners Here and Abroad
  • K - 12

    Program Prepares You to Teach ESL in Grades K-12, and Adult Learners

  • 18

    Credit Hours

  • 100%

    Online

Offers

Dedicated faculty with expertise in teaching English language learners

Small class sizes offering personal attention and guidance

Flexible online format designed to accommodate working professionals

An opportunity to join a thriving community dedicated to helping others succeed

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About Watson’s TESL Program - Learn more about Watson’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Teaching English as a Second Language.
TESL Program Overview

North Carolina Needs ESL Teachers

The Southeastern region of the United States has experienced very rapid growth in the past two decades. Immigrants and their families are coming to this area and adding to our communities and schools. However, there is a shortage of teachers that are prepared to work with immigrant children, the children of immigrants and adult English language learners.

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program at UNCW offers several programs to help alleviate this shortage, and you can be part of the solution!

Our Add-on Licensure Program

The TESL add-on licensure program is a non-degree program designed for teachers who want to become certified to teach English as a Second Language. The courses are also appropriate for people who wish to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad. The program provides students with knowledge of second language acquisition, cultural differences, linguistics, and instructional strategies for meeting the needs of learners for whom English is a second language.

Candidates will complete 18 credit hours of graduate level courses, which are offered online to accommodate working professionals.

View Student Learning Outcomes

Sample Courses

Table lists sample courses for this program
TSL 511 ESL Issues: Culture, Policy & Advocacy
TSL 516 Second Language Acquisition Research and Theory
TSL 517 Methods for Second Language Learners
TSL 518 English as a Second Language Assessment
See The Full Curriculum

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: English as a Second Language - Add-on-Licensure

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
  • All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Main Campus or 
  • Distance Education - Mixture of asynchronous and synchronous
    Asynchronous - instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots
    Synchronous - instruction made available on the web or internet in time-dependent slots

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Spring 2025:
    • November 1, 2024
  • Summer I 2025:
    • May 1, 2025
  • Summer II 2025:
    • June 1, 2025
  • Fall 2025:
    • July 1, 2025

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • None Required

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
  2. Essay:
    Education Statement of Interest Essay
    Essay
  3. Licensure:
    Baccalaureate degree applicants without a NC class "A" teacher licensure in a least one area of education will not earn licensure as a result of this coursework
  4. Financial Aid:  Non-federal loans are available for this program.  Admitted students may apply through the UNCW Scholarship Application to be considered for additional scholarships.  Please consult your Financial Aid Counselor for further details.
  5. Visa Sponsorship:  This program does not qualify for visa sponsorship.

Learn more about our

Teaching English as a Second Language Programs