Educational Endorsements & Graduate Certificates

Career Outlook and Income Trends 

• English as a Second Language
• Middle Grades

Graduate Certificate Program

• English as a Second Language (ESL) PreK-12 Graduate Certificate

  This 18-credit hour program provides advanced coursework directed at instructional practices for individuals who want to teach English learners (ELs) in PreK-12 settings. For current teachers, this certificate program can lead to an additional teacher licensure in PreK-12 English as a Second Language.

  Content is geared towards practical knowledge needed by English as a Second Language professionals. Assignments are designed with real world applications. All reading and course content item are selected to demonstrate best practices in teaching English learners. 

  Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
  

  The courses offered as part of this certificate may also be applied towards the Masters in Reading Education ESL Concentration or Masters in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.).

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should students pursue this certificate at ETSU? 

    If there is only one ESL teacher in a school, the administrator must establish a pull-out program where the ELs are pulled from their classes to receive English as a Second Language instruction. Often, this means that ELs miss related arts or experience a disruption to their regular academic schedule. If teachers are certified as a PreK-12 ESL teacher, students can stay in their regular classroom, experience no disruption to their regular academics, attend related arts classes with their peers; and administrators have fewer scheduling issues. This makes the administrator’s schedule more flexible while also meeting the needs of the ELs. 

  • What are the job prospects with this certificate?

    Teachers with initial teaching license can add the English as a Second Language license as a result of this program. Successful completion of the ESL Praxis is also required.

    Those who complete the program will be eligible to teach English as a Second Language at PreK-12 grade levels. The need for ESL teachers is recognized as a high need endorsement within the state of TN and the nation. 

  • Is a master’s degree required for admission? 

    No, a master's degree is not required for admission to this program. However, a student's undergraduate degree must be in the field of education. This certificate best fits those who already have an initial teaching license. 

  • What are the prerequisites?

    Anyone can take the courses, but they will be qualified for the add-on ESL license only if they already have initial license and if they pass the ESL Praxis required by the Tennessee Department of Education. 

  • Does this program require the GRE?

    The GRE is not required for this program.

  • Are the courses for this certificate asynchronous or synchronous?

    All courses are asynchronous and 100% online.

  • Does this certificate require field work?

    The ESL graduate certificate and add-on coursework require an ESL practicum (~50 hours in the field). The practicum can be arranged at their local schools or through fully virtual opportunities. 

  • Is this certificate designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

    Due to the fully-online asynchronous course design, this program is ideal for those with professional and/or familial obligations.

  • What is the time to completion?

    Full-time: 1 summer or 1 full year (fall & spring or spring & fall).

    Part-time: More than 1 year, but the part-time completion timeline varies between students as it depends on their course load, semester preferences, transfer coursework (if applicable), and other factors.

  • Does the college/department offer scholarships? 

    There are no scholarships for this certificate, specifically. ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships. Learn more on the ETSU Scholarship website. 

    Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources. .

Educational Endorsements Programs