2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in ESL

Buena Vista University (BVU) is a private institution with a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction - Teaching English as a Second Language that requires 30 credit hours. Generally, students complete this program online in around two years while studying at a full-time pace.

At BVU, students use Canvas as their learning management system (LMS), which delivers their curriculum completely online and allows them to study flexibly, schedule tutors, view assignments, and contact the course instructors. This online program is best suited for working teachers. It features a TESL emphasis that prepares students to teach English in K-12 schools by giving them the tools they need to develop a curriculum and understand the social challenges of a classroom. Required classes include Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners, Collaborating with Home, School and Community Partners, and Introduction to Second Language Acquisition. Graduates may also explore roles as English language teachers in public or private schools.

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution with an online Master of Science in Education - English for Speakers of Other Languages. This program requires 33 credit hours, and the average completion time for this degree is around two years for full-time students.

Students at FHSU use Blackboard as the LMS, which delivers courses entirely online and on a flexible timeline. Coursework is offered year-round to meet the needs of working teachers. The ESOL endorsement portion of the degree includes 15 credits of teaching strategy courses, such as Cultural Diversity, Linguistics, and Assessment and Appraisal. The core curriculum features Education Leadership, Literacy Development, and Instructional Design and Assessment classes. The full master's degree is recommended for students interested in a career as a professional K-12 teacher in English as a second language.

Evangel University (EU) is a private, Christian institution with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership - Teaching English as a Second Language, which requires between 30 and 32 credit hours. Students studying with a full-time schedule are likely to complete the degree in around two years.

EU uses Canvas to deliver online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees completely online and on a schedule that meets their needs. In this master's program, students learn how to design curriculums, instruct ESL classrooms, and engage in hands-on learning with experienced teachers. The TESL emphasis includes courses such as History and Structure of the English Language, Second Language Acquisition, and Language and Culture. Students are also required to complete a single credit practicum. Most graduates of this degree go on to become ESL teachers.

Wichita State University (WU) is a public university with a Master of Education in Learning and Instructional Design - ESOL (Thesis) requiring 30 credits. Students can expect to complete this degree in two years if studying full time.

Students at WU use Blackboard as their remote learning software. With this LMS, students can complete coursework flexibly and 100% online. Students can expect to learn best practices in education and corporate training, along with how to design curricula for K-12 teaching. Within the core coursework requirements, students must complete classes such as Change, Creativity and Innovation; Learning Theory and Curriculum Design; and Inquiry to Instructional Practice. The thesis option requires students to engage in applied learning and a research project. Graduates may go on to explore careers as ESL teachers.

Asbury University (AU) is a private university with a Master of Arts in English as a Second Language P-12 Endorsement. This online master's degree requires 36 credit hours, which full-time students can generally complete in two years.

AU students use Discovery as their primary LMS, allowing them to finish courses online in either a synchronous or asynchronous format. The curriculum for this online ESL program looks at instructional technologies, intervention methods, and foundational learning techniques. Additionally, students engage in courses, such as Linguistics/Advanced Grammar, Sound Systems of Language, and TESL Methods/Culture.

AU also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching - English as a Second Language P-12 Alternative Certification, which covers similar courses but with more robust requirements — including a clinical component. Graduates for either degree may pursue ESL teaching roles.