Educational Endorsements & Graduate Certificates

Online Programs

ETSU Online

A New Path

East Tennessee State University's Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers several online add-on endorsement or graduate certificates for students who have obtained their bachelor's degree. Teachers can complete the entire program during the summer, fall, or spring as the classes are typically all online.

Interested individuals should be teachers who want a new path, such as teaching in an elementary classroom and seeking to move to middle grades. Additionally, interested teachers may have ESL students who they aren’t reaching. An add-on or certificate can help them gain a stronger understanding of how to meet the needs of these students. The ESL endorsement also allows them to be an ESL teacher who specifically work with English Language Learners.

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.

      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 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 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

  • Middle Grades Endorsement
    Become certified to teach grades 6-8 with course work specifically directed at teaching subjects in middles schools such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Department of Curriculum and Instruction website.
  • English as a Second Language Endorsement
    Help solve a critical educational need and enhance career credentials with an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. At home or abroad, ESL training is your passport to a world of opportunity, and this endorsement offers career enhancement and great personal satisfaction. An ESL endorsement from ETSU's Department of Curriculum and Instruction provides a solid foundation in ESL fundamentals, encompassing subjects including linguistics of reading; history, practice and assessment; grammar and usage; and electives such as sound systems and dialectology. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Department of Curriculum and Instruction website.

 

Professional Licensure Information: ETSU offers programs that meet Tennessee’s professional licensure or certification requirements; however, these may not meet the requirements in other states or territories. Students who plan to work outside of Tennessee should review ETSU's professional licensure information for details on whether this program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in your state.

Practical Knowledge

Content is geared towards practical knowledge needed by education professionals. Assignments are designed with real world applications in mind. Every reading and course content item are selected to demonstrate best practices teaching.

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Certificate," term, then choose  Educational Endorsements & Graduate Certificates and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

Apply Today!

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Cost

Credits to complete this program: 11-18 credit hours

TN Residents *eRate Out of State
$672 per credit hour $835.50 per credit hour $1,513 per credit hour
- The *eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses.
- Additional fees may be required.
- Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options.
- The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.