Best Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language Programs by Local Teacher Pay

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published July 16, 2026·Last updated July 22, 2026

Ranked by the median wage for elementary teachers in each program metro area, from BLS. The top 25 out of 184 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

1
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WAPublic
- 8Master's/yr
- $102,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL)
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
2
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CAPublic
- 2Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- On-campus
About the program
California State University, Fullerton offers a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages through its Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, aimed squarely at preparing teachers for adult second-language learners. The program trains educators for adult schools, colleges and universities, and intensive English programs rather than framing itself around K-12 licensure, which signals its adult and postsecondary focus. Coursework builds practical instructional expertise through classes such as Second Language Assessment and Curriculum and Syllabus Design, emphasizing the design and evaluation side of language teaching. In place of a thesis, students demonstrate mastery through a comprehensive examination, keeping the path oriented toward applied competence. For those aiming to teach English to adult learners, the on-campus M.S. offers focused, practice-minded preparation. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in California.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 2 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
3
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CAPrivate nonprofit
- 18Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)-accredited
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
4
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CAPublic
- 5Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
- On-campus
About the program
California State University, Northridge offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) built for those who want to teach adult learners rather than earn a K-12 credential. The on-campus program aims graduates toward adult schools, community colleges, and overseas instruction, and it frames the degree as the internationally recognized terminal qualification in the field. Students shape their study through elective areas such as Bilingualism in the U.S., Language and Culture, and Semantics and Pragmatics, choosing a path with an advisor rather than following a fixed track. The experience culminates in a comprehensive graduate project that each student presents publicly in the final semester, giving the degree a scholarly, capstone-driven character. It reads as a program for people committed to language teaching as a professional discipline in its own right. Graduates of this teaching english as a second language program at the master's level often go on to work as adult basic education.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
5
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CTPrivate nonprofit
- 8Master's/yr
- $98,600Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,600, roughly $92,267 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
6
Boston University
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 18Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- EdM in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Multilingual Learner Education concentration
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
7
Merrimack College
North Andover, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 19Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in English as a Second Language (PreK-6)
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
8
Gordon College
Wenham, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 3Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in English as a Second Language
- Online
About the program
Gordon College offers an online Master of Education in English as a Second Language serving both the PreK-6 and 5-12 grade bands, with an Educational Specialist option for those seeking further study. Candidates choose between an initial ESL teaching certification track and an ESL certificate endorsement track for already-licensed teachers, and the program supports both Initial and Professional licensure pathways. That dual structure makes it a fit for new entrants to ESL teaching as well as experienced educators formalizing a specialization. Gordon states its graduate education program is the only one in Massachusetts whose TESOL track earned a commendation from the 2013 National Council on Teacher Quality, a point of distinction it highlights for prospective students. The online format extends this preparation to teachers across settings. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
9
Framingham State University
Framingham, MAPublic
- 23Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education, concentration in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Massachusetts DESE state-approved program-accredited
- Online
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
10
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MAPublic
- 10Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Hybrid
About the program
Bridgewater State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with courses delivered face-to-face, online, and in hybrid formats, giving candidates room to fit study around their lives. An Initial Licensure track leads to Massachusetts ESL teacher licensure and includes a practicum, while a Non-Licensure track serves those already licensed or teaching in other states. Classes capped at fifteen or fewer students point to a program that values close mentorship over large lecture halls. Educators who complete BSU's TESOL Graduate Certificate can transfer up to twelve credits, or four courses, into the MAT, easing the move from certificate to full degree. A Nunckatessett Graduate Scholarship offering a tuition credit for strong academic standing further supports candidates through the program. 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 Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
11
Salem State University
Salem, MAPublic
- 20Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 20 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
12
Lesley University
Cambridge, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 10Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education
- Hybrid
About the program
Lesley University offers a Master of Education in TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education that prepares candidates for an Initial Massachusetts license to teach English as a Second Language. Students choose a practicum track aligned to either the PreK-6 or the 5-12 grade band, so the degree fits the age group they intend to teach. A required six-credit practicum and seminar embeds licensure candidates in a real classroom, and the program also expects a minimum of six college credits in a language other than English before completion, signaling its grounding in bilingual awareness. The hybrid delivery lets teachers balance coursework with schedules, while the DESE approval ties the whole sequence directly to state licensure. The design reads as a route for aspiring language teachers who want both classroom credentials and cross-linguistic depth. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in Massachusetts.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
13
Cambridge College
Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit
- 22Master's/yr
- $98,060Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in English as a Second Language
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 22 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
14
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NYPublic
- 16Master's/yr
- $97,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Second Language Education (TESOL concentration)
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kingston, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $97,920, roughly $97,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
15
New York University
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 97Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Non-Certification
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 97 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
16
Fordham University
Bronx, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 3Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.S.T.), TESOL Track 1
- On-campus
About the program
Fordham University offers a Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, whose Track 1 is a unified pathway to New York State initial certification for K-12 ESL and emerging bilingual instruction. The program earned National Recognition from NCATE and the TESOL International Association, a mark of alignment with professional standards in the field. Its requirements reflect a serious commitment to linguistic preparation, including 12 college credits in a language other than English so future teachers understand the experience of acquiring a new language. Fieldwork is embedded across courses and builds toward a TESOL Student Teaching II clinical placement, giving candidates a graduated arc from observation to full classroom responsibility. A completion portfolio caps the degree, asking candidates to demonstrate their growth as reflective practitioners. 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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
17
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NYPublic
- 48Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 48 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
18
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 10Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), MSEd
About the program
Hofstra University offers a Master of Science in Education in Teaching English as a Second Language that leads to New York State initial and professional teacher certification in TESOL. The curriculum deliberately braids together literacy education, multicultural education, and instructional technology, with attention to teaching learners who have exceptionalities, signaling a program that views language teaching as inseparable from equity and access. It sits within a broader family of related tracks at Hofstra, including a certification-bearing MA in TESOL, a non-certification MA in LOTE and TESOL geared toward international and abroad-focused students, and an MA in TESOL with a STEM specialization. That range lets candidates align the degree with whether they intend to lead a New York classroom or work in a global or content-specialized setting. The result reads as a flexible, contemporary preparation for teaching multilingual learners. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in New York.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
19
CUNY City College
New York, NYPublic
- 29Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- On-campus
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 29 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
20
Adelphi University
Garden City, NYPrivate nonprofitOnline available
- 5Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- Online
About the program
Adelphi University offers a Master of Arts in TESOL delivered fully online, with an option to combine online and on-campus study. The program splits into two clear paths: a certification track that leads to New York State P-12 certification in ESL, and a non-certification track shaped for international students and adult-education instructors who want the expertise without the state credential. That structure lets the degree serve both aspiring public school teachers and professionals teaching English in other contexts. A minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork keeps the training grounded in real classrooms, and small cohort-based classes, supported by a partnership with Adelphi's Alice Brown Early Learning Center, give the experience a close-knit feel. Candidates typically finish within 18 to 24 months, and related bilingual and triple-certification offerings extend the pathways available. 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.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
21
CUNY Queens College
Queens, NYPublic
- 45Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education: TESOL
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 45 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
22
St. John's University-New York
Queens, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 22Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education and TESOL (PreK-12), Master of Science in Education
- Hybrid
About the program
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.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 22 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
23
Pace University
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 13Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Teaching English as a New Language, MSEd
About the program
Pace University's Teaching English as a New Language, MSEd, historically prepared already-certified teachers to work with English Language Learners across grades Pre-K through 12. According to the university catalog, this program and its related TESOL variants were formally discontinued effective Fall 2026 and are no longer open to new applicants, with currently enrolled students being taught out under their original or an approved revised plan. 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.
Why it ranks here
For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
24
Teachers College at Columbia University
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
- 17Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics & TESOL
- On-campus
About the program
Teachers College, Columbia University offers a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and TESOL whose branching structure lets candidates match the degree to distinct professional goals. The program spans an Applied Linguistics track, a TESOL General track, a certification-bearing TESOL track, a dual-certification option with English Education, and a Peace Corps Fellows track, so students can choose between scholarly study and classroom licensure. Certification-track options lead to New York State Initial or Transitional B certification in TESOL, PreK-12, while the dual-certification path adds English Language Arts 7-12 certification for teachers who want to work across both fields. Reflecting that added scope, the M.A. runs 36 to 39 points in most tracks and 45 to 46 points for dual certification. Taught on campus, it reads as a flexible, professionally serious program for a range of language educators. 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.
Why it ranks here
Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site
25
CUNY Lehman College
Bronx, NYPublic
- 15Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in TESOL
- On-campus
About the program
Lehman College offers a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in TESOL that leads to New York State ESOL PreK-12 certification, and its three-sequence design is what makes it unusually adaptable. Sequence 1 serves teachers already certified in New York who want to add ESOL, Sequence 2 accommodates candidates who hold a bachelor's but no prior education coursework, and Sequence 3 is built for those aiming to teach adult ESL, with an optional Bilingual Extension layered on top. That structure reads as a program meeting teachers wherever they enter the field rather than forcing a single path. Student teaching is placed in model ESL classrooms across the Bronx and surrounding areas, grounding candidates in the diverse, multilingual communities they will serve. A useful signal for career changers is that students may become eligible for full-time NYS ESOL teaching after completing half the program credits. 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.
Why it ranks here
A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 15 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
School site

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Best Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language Programs by Local Teacher Pay

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

California State University-Fullerton

Azusa Pacific University

California State University-Northridge

Fairfield University

Boston University

Merrimack College

Gordon College

Framingham State University

Bridgewater State University

Salem State University

Lesley University

Cambridge College

State University of New York at New Paltz

New York University

Fordham University

CUNY Hunter College

Hofstra University

CUNY City College

Adelphi University

CUNY Queens College

St. John's University-New York

Pace University

Teachers College at Columbia University

CUNY Lehman College