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Teaching English as a Second Language, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Build Bridges with ESL
  • 18

    Credit Hours

  • 6

    ESL Courses

  • 100%

    Online

program completion feature
program completion feature

Offers

Dedicated faculty with expertise in teaching English language learners

Flexible online format designed to accommodate working professionals

An opportunity to learn the cultural and linguistic needs of ESL students

Valuable connections with others in the field

Program Overview

North Carolina Needs ESL Specialists

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 professionals that are prepared to work with immigrant children, the children of immigrants and adult English language learners.

Designed for Informal Educators

Our new TESL certificate program is designed for informal educators, including professionals who work with English language learners through non-profit organizations,  governmental agencies or other settings outside of traditional K-12 schools. The program is also valuable for curriculum developers, online teachers and individuals thinking about pursuing a residency licensure pathway to teaching ESL in K-12 schools who would like to get a head start on required coursework.

This 18 credit-hour program can be completed in just over one year and is designed to accommodate working professionals. Dedicated faculty with extensive experience working with English language learners teach all courses in this efficient and comprehensive program.

Develop Strong ESL Skills

Candidates in the TESL certificate program will develop knowledge and skills in second language acquisition, cultural differences, linguistics, and instructional strategies for meeting the needs of learners for whom English is a second language. Students will have contact with people from across the field, including preservice and in-service teachers as they join a thriving community dedicated to helping others succeed.

Our TESL certificate courses are offered at the graduate level. This is not a degree program or a licensure pathway, but all courses can be transferred into our Master of Arts in Teaching in TESL degree program or our Residency Licensure Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program, which are both licensure pathway programs.

View Student Learning Outcomes
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Teaching English as a Second Language at UNCW has online courses designed to accommodate working professionals.

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
TSL 537 Linguistics for Teachers
SEE THE FULL CURRICULUM

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: Teaching English as a Second Language, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

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

  • Distance Education - Online - Mixture of asynchronous - Internet or Web-based asynchronous (instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots) and synchronous - Web-based instruction in time-dependent slots coursework.

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

  • Three letters of recommendation.

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
  2. Essay: Education Statement of Interest Essay
    Essay
  3. GPA Requirement:  The state of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires that applicants have an undergraduate GPA or 2.7 to receive a teaching license.
  4. Note:  The Teaching English as a Second Language Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is a program offered by UNCW and is designed for applicants that are not immediately seeking K-12 license in ESL. Is is not a licensure pathway. Applicants who currently hold an ESL teaching position with a temporary Clinical Residency licence should apply to the UNCW Clinical Residency program, which is a licensure pathway program.
  5. 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.
  6. Visa Sponsorship:  This program does not qualify for visa sponsorship.

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