Hakia Education

Best Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language Programs by Degrees Awarded

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology

Published ·Last updated

Ranked by the number of master's degrees awarded each year, the most established programs. The top 25 out of 184 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.

  1. 1

    Western Governors University

    Salt Lake City, UTPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 337Master's/yr
    • $77,920Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in English Language Learning
    • Recognized by TESOL International Association-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    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.

    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 337 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,920, roughly $77,249 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. 2

    Grand Canyon University

    Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 159Master's/yr
    • $59,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages that is built specifically for teachers already holding a license. Because it does not lead to initial licensure and admits only currently licensed educators, the program reads as a route into ESL and bilingual specialization rather than a first credential, with graduates positioned to pursue an ESL and/or bilingual education endorsement in Arizona. The 32 credits move through six-week online course terms, a pacing that suits working teachers, while 110 hours of practicum keep the study anchored in real pre-K-12 classrooms. Coursework is designed to align with InTASC standards and the TESOL standards for PK-12 ESL teacher education, signaling a deliberate grounding in recognized professional benchmarks. Together the endorsement focus and field hours make it a practical next step for classroom teachers expanding into language instruction. 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 Arizona.

    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 159 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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. 3

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester, NHPrivate nonprofit

    • 110Master's/yr
    • $72,410State teacher pay
    • Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language
    • On-campus
    About the program

    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.

    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 110 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Hampshire statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $72,410, roughly $69,515 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. 4

    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

    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 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
  5. 5

    University of Nevada-Las Vegas

    Las Vegas, NVPublic

    • 95Master's/yr
    • $65,040Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education - Multilingual Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    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.

    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 95 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, where elementary teachers earn a median $65,040, roughly $64,900 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. 6

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 59Master's/yr
    • $78,570Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    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.

    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 59 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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. 7

    University of Southern Maine

    Portland, MEPublicOnline available

    • 58Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    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.

    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 58 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  8. 8

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • 50Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Teaching — Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
    • On-campus
    About the program

    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.

    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 50 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  9. 9

    Greensboro College

    Greensboro, NCPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 49Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in TESOL
    • Online
    About the program

    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.

    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 49 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  10. 10

    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

    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 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
  11. 11

    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

    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 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
  12. 12

    SUNY Brockport

    Brockport, NYPublic

    • 40Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Online
    About the program

    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.

    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 40 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  13. 13

    Arizona State University Digital Immersion

    Scottsdale, AZPublicOnline available

    • 35Master's/yr
    • $59,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)
    • Online
    About the program

    Arizona State University offers an online Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a 30-credit-hour degree delivered across ten accelerated 7.5-week courses for students building a career in language education. The curriculum surrounds core TESOL pedagogy with six credit hours of graduate linguistics and six more from English or approved related courses, giving the program a strong disciplinary backbone. A foreign-language coursework requirement pushes candidates to experience language learning from the inside, while a supervised practicum internship and capstone course tie theory to classroom application. The accelerated, front-loaded pacing suits motivated students who want to finish efficiently without sacrificing hands-on preparation. Overall it reads as a rigorous, applied TESOL master's that balances linguistic grounding with supervised teaching practice. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in Arizona.

    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 35 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 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. 14

    University of Delaware

    Newark, DEPublic

    • 34Master's/yr
    • M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
    • Program cites alignment with TESOL/NCATE standards-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    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.

    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 34 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  15. 15

    Dominican University

    River Forest, ILPrivate nonprofit

    • 34Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education (English as a Second Language Endorsement pathway)
    • Online
    About the program

    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.

    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 34 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 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. 16

    Touro University

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofit

    • 33Master's/yr
    • Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    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.

    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 33 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  17. 17

    University of Maryland-Baltimore County

    Baltimore, MDPublicOnline available

    • 29Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, an established program dating to 1979 that can be completed fully on campus, fully online, or as a combination of both. Four pathways let candidates shape the degree to their aims, with General and Thesis options for practicing or aspiring ESL and EFL teachers and P-12 Certification tracks, including a thesis variant, that lead to Maryland ESOL certification. Licensure candidates complete 100 days of clinical field experience across two semesters and pass state-mandated examinations, keeping the work grounded in real classrooms. A distinctive internship of at least 40 teaching hours can be fulfilled in the United States or abroad through partner sites in Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. That international reach signals a program attentive to teaching English in varied cultural settings. 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

    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.

    School site
  18. 18

    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
  19. 19

    Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook, NYPublic

    • 27Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in TESOL (MA-TESOL)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Stony Brook University offers a Master of Arts in TESOL housed in its Department of Linguistics, an academic home that gives the program a distinctive grounding in the scientific study of language structure, use, and acquisition. Two tracks accommodate different goals: a 48-credit path that combines the MA with New York State TESOL certification for grades Pre-K through 12, and a leaner 30-credit MA-only option. That second route still opens a door to licensure, since its graduates can apply directly for New York's alternate-route TESOL certification. Extensive field experience and clinical practice pair the linguistic coursework with real classroom work, so candidates translate theory about how language is learned into teaching practice. The blend makes it well suited to students who want rigorous language science behind their credential. 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 27 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  20. 20

    Western Michigan University

    Kalamazoo, MIPublicOnline available

    • 27Master's/yr
    • $63,450Metro teacher pay
    • M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Online
    About the program

    Western Michigan University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, an online program built around a single, coherent pathway rather than a menu of separate tracks. Twenty-four of its thirty credits align with the coursework the Michigan Department of Education requires for the ESL endorsement, which candidates add to an existing initial teaching certificate. That structure marks the degree as a route for practicing teachers who want to formalize their work with multilingual learners while staying in the classroom. Electives in literacy and language studies let students round out the core with areas that fit their own settings. In place of a traditional thesis, the program culminates in a TESOL capstone course, keeping the emphasis on applied practice over research writing. A master's-level path in teaching english as a second language, it builds toward a career among adult basic education in Michigan.

    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 27 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, where elementary teachers earn a median $63,450, roughly $66,902 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. 21

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

    Honolulu, HIPublic

    • 25Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Second Language Studies
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a Master of Arts in Second Language Studies through a department that, established in 1961, describes itself as the first of its kind at an American university. Students choose among five tracks, including Language Education, Second Language Acquisition, Language and Social Interaction, Critical Second Language Studies, and Language Assessment, Measurement, and Program Evaluation, which lets the degree flex toward teaching, research, or assessment work. A non-thesis Scholarly Paper option paired with a Language Experience Requirement signals a program that values applied field engagement alongside academic writing. The MA is an academic degree rather than a licensure credential, though students seeking K-12 ESL teaching licensure can pursue it separately through the College of Education's TESOL add-a-field pathway. The breadth of tracks makes it well suited to people building specialized expertise in language and its teaching. 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

    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 25 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
  22. 22

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg, VAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 24Master's/yr
    • $50,470Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
    • SACSCOC (institutional)-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Liberty University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, a 30 credit hour online program delivered in accelerated 8-week terms and paired with a required practical internship. It is explicitly a non-licensure degree, positioning it for people who want to teach English learners in adult, community, or international settings rather than earn a state K-12 credential. The curriculum includes six credit hours of foreign-language coursework, a choice that pushes candidates to experience language learning from the inside. Generous transfer policy, with up to half of the credits eligible to come from prior graduate work, makes the program friendly to students already partway through their studies. Liberty is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and related MA tracks in Linguistics-TESL and Global and Intercultural Leadership-TESL sit alongside this option. Earning a master's degree in teaching english as a second language is a common route toward becoming one of Virginia'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 24 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lynchburg, VA, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,470, roughly $56,478 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. 23

    The College of New Jersey

    Ewing, NJPublic

    • 23Master's/yr
    • $77,850Metro teacher pay
    • Teaching English as a Second Language, Master of Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The College of New Jersey offers a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language, a 30-credit program based in Ewing that combines academic study with substantial clinical experience. Two practicum courses and a comprehensive examination give the degree a hands-on, standards-tested spine, and candidates can point that work toward ESL Initial Certification, an ESL Endorsement, or a Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement depending on their goals. That range of certification tracks makes the program adaptable to both those entering ESL teaching and licensed educators adding a specialization. Scheduling flexibility matters here too, with a full-time nine-credit-per-semester pace or a part-time option that allows up to six years to finish. Optional summer sessions at TCNJ's global sites in Mallorca and Bangkok extend the experience into international settings. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in New Jersey.

    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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,850, roughly $75,451 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. 24

    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

    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 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
  25. 25

    University of Rhode Island

    Kingston, RIPublicOnline available

    • 22Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages / Bilingual Dual Language Immersion (TESOL/BDL)
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of Rhode Island offers a primarily asynchronous online Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Bilingual Dual Language Immersion, giving candidates three distinct tracks to match their setting: public school ESOL, public school bilingual dual language immersion, or teaching in contexts outside U.S. PreK-12 schools, including international work. That structure makes clear the program serves a wide spectrum, from teachers already certified to those concurrently pursuing certification or preparing for posts abroad, with the caveat that candidates verify their own state's reciprocity. The capstone is a research-based action project that tackles a real school or district problem and develops across three courses, tying scholarship directly to practice. Grounded in TESOL professional standards and Rhode Island Dual Language Program Standards, the degree reads as a flexible, application-focused path for educators of multilingual learners in varied settings. This master's-level teaching english as a second language program prepares graduates for work as adult basic education in Rhode Island.

    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 22 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site

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