Best Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language Programs in 2026

NYU Steinhardt offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in a non-certification format, a track aimed at educators who want deep TESOL expertise without the constraints of a state licensure sequence. Across its 31 credits, the program reads as scholarly and internationally oriented, giving students an optional one-semester practicum in language schools, community colleges, and nonprofits rather than a mandated K-12 placement. Study-abroad options in the Dominican Republic and Spain reinforce that global outlook, making it a natural fit for those headed toward adult, higher-education, or overseas teaching. Steinhardt keeps a separate certification track and a dual World Language and TESOL degree for candidates who do need New York State licensure. The result is a flexible, cosmopolitan program for language teaching beyond the traditional classroom. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in New York.

Hunter College, part of CUNY, offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, an internationally recognized program that blends teacher-preparation coursework with linguistic theory. Three pathways sort candidates by goal: Track 1 for those without a prior New York State certificate, Track 2 for candidates who already hold one, and a separate TESOL Adult Track for teaching adults in college, continuing-education, business, or community settings. Tracks 1 and 2 lead toward New York State certification in TESOL, also known as English as a New Language, while the Adult Track prepares instructors for settings outside K-12. Substantial required observation and participation hours in New York City public schools ground the certification tracks in real classrooms across the city. It is a program that combines academic depth in language study with hands-on urban teaching experience. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of New York's adult basic education.

Queens College offers a Master of Science in Education in TESOL that prepares candidates for New York State certification to teach English as a New Language across all grades. The hybrid program runs on two credit tracks, a shorter 39-credit path for teachers who already hold certification and a fuller 44-credit path for those entering without it, so the curriculum flexes to a candidate's starting point. Coursework and field experiences span both elementary and secondary settings, and two of the methods courses embed placements at each level so candidates practice with younger and older learners alike. For non-certified candidates, student teaching pairs with weekly seminars, a structure that reads as close mentoring during the clinical stretch. Together these features suggest a program built to move both practicing teachers and newcomers into ENL classrooms with confidence. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in New York.

Western Governors University offers a Master of Arts in English Language Learning, an online, competency-based program built for licensed teachers who want to add an ELL or ESL endorsement to their credential. Focused on PreK-12 English language learning, it channels teachers toward the state endorsement where offered, and it requires a current valid teaching license for admission, so it functions as a specialization rather than a path to initial licensure. WGU's flat-rate tuition per six-month term rewards candidates who move quickly, while the coursework stays anchored in real classrooms. Students complete at least fifteen hours of video-recorded observations plus supervised field experience with ELL students and finish with a Teacher Work Sample capstone. The program is recognized by the TESOL International Association, reinforcing its practice-oriented, endorsement-driven design. As a master's degree in teaching english as a second language, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as adult basic education in Utah.

The University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, an on-campus program spanning 14 course units over two years of full-time study. Its emphasis on practice teaching placements and fieldwork through the in-house PEDAL@GSE ESL program grounds academic study in supervised classroom work, giving candidates real teaching experience alongside their coursework. Rather than fixed named tracks, the program relies on elective choice and a distribution requirement, letting students shape a course of study around their own interests. A capstone seminar draws the two years together into a culminating scholarly experience. The overall shape reads as an intensive, immersive graduate program for those seeking depth in language teaching within a research university setting. Graduates of this teaching english as a second language program at the master's level often go on to work as adult basic education.

The University of Southern Maine offers a Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a program it describes as the only master's in TESOL in the state. Delivered in a hybrid blend of online and on-campus courses, with a fully online option, it fits practicing and aspiring teachers who need to study around a working schedule. The structure branches to match a candidate's goal, with a general TESOL track, an Initial K-12 ESL Certification track leading to Maine ESL endorsement or initial licensure, and a non-licensure Certificate of Advanced Study for those extending expertise. Rolling admissions and part-time or full-time study let students finish in one to two years. The result is a flexible home for teachers building ESL specialization within a small state market. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Maine's adult basic education.

The USC Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a 17-month, 24-unit program that pairs graduate coursework with sustained clinical practice. Candidates spend roughly four hours weekly at school sites beginning in the second semester, and the curriculum is organized around learning goals of Transformative Teaching and Critical Inquiry, signaling a reflective, equity-conscious approach to classroom work. Eligible students may optionally extend the degree to earn a California preliminary single subject teaching credential in English Language Development or World Languages, adding four units and one semester. That built-in licensure option makes the program attractive to those who want to enter California K-12 classrooms. Automatic consideration for merit scholarships of $15,000 to $20,000 further lowers the barrier for prospective teachers. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in California.

Greensboro College offers a fully online Master of Arts in TESOL framed around career readiness across a range of teaching settings rather than a single state license. The program points graduates toward K-12 schools, intensive English programs, and community colleges, signaling a broad professional audience that includes those teaching adult and international learners. Its 30 credits are organized into ten courses, and students can shape the degree through electives while simultaneously earning a graduate certificate in a specialized TESOL or bilingual education area at no additional cost. Typical completion runs 15 to 18 months, with a fast-track 12-month option for those who want to move quickly. The combination of flexible online delivery and a stackable certificate makes it a pragmatic choice for working professionals building language-teaching credentials. As a master's degree in teaching english as a second language, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as adult basic education in North Carolina.

Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language on its New Hampshire campus, with evening and online coursework that fits around other commitments. Students select a specialization track in ESL and EFL teaching, digital language learning, or English language program management, shaping the degree toward classroom teaching, technology, or administration. The thirty-six-credit program combines eighteen core credits with electives and the chosen track and can be finished in as few as eighteen months of full-time study. The university is clear that the degree does not lead to licensure and that requirements for adding endorsements vary by state and are not guaranteed by completion. That framing positions it for those building expertise in language teaching outside a state licensure path. As a master's degree in teaching english as a second language, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as adult basic education in New Hampshire.

Framingham State University offers an online Master of Education with a concentration in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a state-approved program leading to Initial ESL Licensure in Massachusetts for either PreK-6 or grades 5-12. Candidates complete a minimum of ten courses along with a 300-hour practicum and pass the MTEL Communication and Literacy and ESL Subject Matter tests, keeping the path firmly tied to state credentialing. Rather than a thesis, the degree culminates in a comprehensive exam in the final semester, reflecting a practice-oriented design. Beyond initial licensure, the program also offers a route to advance an Early Childhood or Elementary Initial license to the Professional level. A separate four-course Graduate Certificate in TESOL rounds out the offerings for mainstream teachers seeking a shorter credential. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts's adult basic education.

Cambridge College offers a Master of Education in English as a Second Language taught through on-campus, remote Zoom, and asynchronous online classes on nights and weekends, a schedule shaped around working teachers. The 30 to 36 credit program pairs a PreK-12 non-licensure track with a 5-12 licensure track leading to a Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion Teacher Endorsement. A practicum guided and evaluated by a licensed ESL teacher alongside a college supervisor keeps candidates connected to real classrooms as they train. Prospective students should note that the college states it is not currently accepting new applicants, as it transitions this program to Bay Path University's online MSEd and EdS in ESL beginning Fall 2025. That transition makes the offering a program in wind-down rather than active enrollment. Graduates of this teaching english as a second language program at the master's level often go on to work as adult basic education.

SUNY New Paltz offers a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Second Language Education with a TESOL concentration, taught on campus for candidates preparing to teach English learners across the grade span. The 36-credit program leads to New York State Education Department Initial and Professional certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages, PreK-12, positioning it squarely as a licensure pathway. Its requirement of 12 semester hours of study in a language other than English signals a program that takes bilingual competence and cross-linguistic understanding seriously, not just methods. A practicum capstone anchors the degree in supervised classroom practice before completion. Together these elements make it a substantive, certification-focused route for teachers committed to language education in New York schools. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of New York's adult basic education.

SUNY Brockport offers a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages that is delivered fully online and built for practicing educators. The program is designed for candidates who already hold New York State teacher certification in areas such as birth-grade 2, grades 1-6, or grades 7-12 and want to add ESOL certification for the first time, so it reads as a credential-expanding step rather than an entry into teaching. Completing it leads to NYS certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages, PK-12, at the Initial and Professional levels. A supervised TESOL practicum of at least 20 days places candidates directly with English language learners in a formal school setting. The school also accepts up to 12 transfer credits, giving experienced teachers a flexible path. Brockport is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As a master's degree in teaching english as a second language, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as adult basic education in New York.

Salem State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages that splits into a licensure track and a general non-licensure track, letting candidates match the degree to their goals. The licensure track leads to initial Massachusetts licensure to teach ESL across grades PK-12, with candidates selecting a PK-6 or 5-12 grade-level focus, while the general track serves those aiming at college, adult, or community ESL settings that do not require a state license. A half-practicum option for candidates who already hold a Massachusetts teaching license trims redundant fieldwork for experienced teachers adding an ESL credential. Alignment with DESE standards and CAEP/TESOL grounds the coursework in recognized professional benchmarks. Offered in a hybrid format, the program reads as flexible enough to fit both new teachers and working educators broadening into language instruction. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in Massachusetts.

Merrimack College offers a Master of Education in English as a Second Language focused on the PreK-6 grade band and built to lead to an Initial Massachusetts teaching license, complete with the Sheltered English Instruction endorsement. MTEL preparation is woven into the coursework, which positions the program as a guided path toward passing the state exams rather than leaving candidates to prepare on their own. Clinical experience is substantial, with a 450-hour full-time practicum layered on top of three pre-practicum observation placements, so graduates enter classrooms with considerable supervised teaching behind them. An accelerated 13-month option runs through a tuition-free teacher fellowship that pairs study with a paid district placement, making it especially attractive to career changers who need to earn while they learn. Delivered in a hybrid format and backed by NECHE accreditation, it reads as a practice-intensive route into elementary ESL teaching. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in Massachusetts.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers a Master of Education in Multilingual Education, an on-campus program preparing educators to work with dual language learners and English language learners across PreK-12, adult ESL, and international EFL settings. Students choose among an English Language Learning track, a Bilingual Education track, and a Professional Studies track, letting the degree serve teachers with distinct classroom contexts. Its coursework meets the requirements for endorsements to teach English language learners in Nevada PK-12 schools. The minimum thirty-seven semester hours include six hours of research and multicultural perspectives coursework, and candidates must finish within six years. The breadth across school, adult, and international contexts marks it as a program for educators working with multilingual learners in many forms. Graduates of this teaching english as a second language program at the master's level often go on to work as adult basic education.

The City College of New York, part of CUNY, offers a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, taught on campus in the heart of New York City. The degree runs on two streams that reflect very different starting points: Stream A is an alternative Transitional B certification pathway for those seeking initial New York State TESOL certification, including NYC Teaching Fellows, while Stream B serves candidates who plan to teach adults or work internationally and do not need state licensure. That design lets the program prepare classroom-bound teachers and adult or global instructors side by side. CCNY's Bilingual Education and TESOL programs have ranked among the top ten nationally for degrees granted to Latinx students, a reflection of the program's stated commitment to equity for emergent bilinguals in urban public education. The result is a program with a strong social mission and a distinctly city focus. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in New York.

Boston University's Wheelock College of Education and Human Development offers an EdM in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with a Multilingual Learner Education concentration, a one-year, on-campus program of 36 to 38 credits. Its licensure tracks lead to an initial Massachusetts ESL teaching license for either PreK-6 or 5-12, and the calendar is built for immersion, pairing a fall pre-practicum with a spring full practicum in local public and charter schools. That embedded fieldwork marks it as a hands-on, classroom-anchored preparation rather than a survey of theory. A separate non-licensure EdM in TESOL and Applied Linguistics from the same department serves candidates on a different path. With more than 65 percent of new students receiving merit-based scholarships, the program signals strong institutional investment in the teachers it trains. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts's adult basic education.

Azusa Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages built around a sequential, cohort-based structure that moves students through the coursework together over roughly a year and a half of full-time study. Learners choose among an on-campus track, an online track, and a Christ's College Cooperative partnership in Taiwan, reflecting the program's international orientation. Practical immersion is required rather than optional: students complete an English-teaching practicum and must attend an English language teaching conference before graduating, supported by a $500 conference travel award. No thesis is required, keeping the emphasis on teaching practice and professional community. The coursework qualifies graduates for California's Preliminary Designated Subjects Adult Education Teaching Credential in ESL, though it does not lead to a single- or multiple-subject credential, pointing the degree toward adult and international ESL instruction. Institutional accreditation comes from the WASC Senior College and University Commission. As a master's degree in teaching english as a second language, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as adult basic education in California.

The University of Delaware offers an on-campus M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) organized as a cohort so candidates progress together and learn through cooperation as much as coursework. Aligned with TESOL and NCATE standards, the program lets students pursue a Delaware teaching license along with certification as a Teacher of English Learners or a Bilingual Teacher, while current Delaware teachers can add certification through the ACE course of study. Every student completes a teaching practicum, and candidacy requires a portfolio that documents growth against professional standards. An accelerated 4+1 option lets UD English majors move efficiently from bachelor's to master's. Strong candidates receive automatic consideration for Deans' TESL Scholarships, which lowers the barrier for teachers entering the field. Graduates of this teaching english as a second language program at the master's level often go on to work as adult basic education.

Touro University offers a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages delivered in a hybrid format for candidates who are already teaching. Applicants must hold provisional or initial New York State teacher certification, and graduates who complete the coursework, fieldwork, and student teaching become eligible for a recommendation for NYS ESL/TESOL certification, PreK-12. The 33-credit design keeps candidates connected to real classrooms throughout, embedding 5 to 15 hours of fieldwork in each course and requiring a minimum of 10 days and 50 hours of supervised student teaching. That steady clinical thread, layered onto existing certification, makes the program read as a practical add-on specialty for working teachers rather than an introduction to the profession. Up to 12 credits may transfer in from prior graduate study, easing the path for those returning to complete a degree. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in New York.

The University of Washington offers a Master of Arts for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a two-year, on-campus program spanning five to six quarters that blends TESOL, linguistics, English, and electives into an interdisciplinary whole. Rather than named tracks, the program builds depth through two practicum courses in which students teach international learners directly. What distinguishes it is the funding model: most students hold Academic Student Employee positions teaching undergraduate composition and receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend, so the degree doubles as paid teaching apprenticeship. That structure makes it well suited to committed full-time students preparing for university-level and international English instruction. The program's standing is underscored by the US State Department's 2019 English Language Fellow Top Producing Institution Award. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Washington's adult basic education.

Fairfield University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) whose several tracks let it serve very different candidates from a single accredited program. Aspiring teachers can pursue the initial certification track, which prepares them for Connecticut K-12 TESOL certification through an eight-week elementary and eight-week secondary student teaching placement, while a non-certification track readies graduates for adult education, community college, and intensive English program instruction. Practicing K-12 teachers seeking cross-endorsement can enter the LEAP track, and the department also offers a Sixth Year Certificate and Cross Endorsement in TESOL. NCATE/CAEP recognition through December 2028 and standing with the TESOL International Association since 2009 underscore the program's established quality. Small classes of six to twenty students and rolling admissions with Fall, Spring, and Summer starts, completed in about 24 months full-time with part-time flexibility, make it accommodating for working educators. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Connecticut's adult basic education.

Dominican University offers an English as a Second Language endorsement pathway that folds directly into its online Master of Arts in Education, a design aimed squarely at teachers already licensed and working in Illinois classrooms. Candidates complete an 18 semester hour ESL Endorsement, or a shorter 9 semester hour ESL Approval for those who already hold an LBS I endorsement, and both routes lead to state ESL credentials. Entry requires a valid Illinois Professional Educator License, and candidates log 100 clock hours of ESL field experience or draw on prior classroom teaching, keeping the program grounded in real practice. Because the endorsement credits count toward the full 30 semester hour M.A. in Education, teachers can finish the degree in roughly one to three additional semesters. Delivered online, it reads as an efficient way for practicing educators to add an ESL credential while advancing toward a master's. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in Illinois.

St. John's University offers a Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education and TESOL that yields dual New York State certification, pairing Childhood Education for grades K-6 with TESOL for PreK-12. The 36-credit design is explicitly a career-change pathway for graduates of non-education majors, so it reads as an entry point for people pivoting into teaching rather than a credential add-on for veterans. More than half of the TESOL component runs online, and the hybrid structure supports candidates balancing a transition into the field. Mentored student teaching in multilingual and multicultural schools grounds the preparation in the classrooms graduates will actually serve. Optional coursework at global campuses in Rome, Paris, Spain, or Greece, along with an available bilingual extension, gives the program an international breadth uncommon at this level. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in New York.