Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Earn your MSEd online in as few as 10 months

Our flexible master’s program features 7-week accelerated online courses and 6 start dates per year, so you can build your studies around your schedule. You’ll qualify to obtain your Maine K-12 ESL endorsement and serve as an adult TESOL educator, ESL program director, K-12 ESL teacher, or instructor overseas. Our rigorous and experiential curriculum ensures you graduate with all the tools to teach linguistically and culturally diverse students.

Program requirements

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E-tuition

All students receive our e-tuition rate. This accelerated online program does not charge Mandatory Fees. See cost details

Credit hours

30 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship, fellowship & research opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

6 entry terms per year. No GRE required. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

Earn your degree in as few as 10 months with our accelerated online program.
Progress quickly with 7-week courses.
Begin as soon as you’re ready: We offer 6 start dates throughout the year.
Save money with affordable tuition: Online students receive our e-tuition rate.
Study in a program with a 100% pass rate on the Maine Praxis ESOL Exam.
Tailor the program to your academic and professional goals: Choose to complete a hands-on practicum or write a thesis.
Join an alumni community that includes those who have been named a Maine Teacher of the Year, a Boren Fellow, and a Fullbright Fellow.

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Admission information: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (MSEd) | Accelerated Online

The information below is for our fully online Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MSEd. If you are interested in the blended program, which includes a mix of online and in-person courses, please review the TESOL MSEd (Blended) Admission Information.

Application deadlines & program start dates

Choose from 6 start dates per year.

Session	Application deadline	Program start date
Fall 2024 term: Session 1	August 15, 2024	September 3, 2024
Fall 2024 term: Session 2	October 9, 2024	October 28, 2024
Spring 2025 term: Session 1	January 2, 2025	January 21, 2025
Spring 2025 term: Session 2	March 5, 2025	March 24, 2025
Summer 2025 term: Session 1	April 30, 2025	May 19, 2025
Summer 2025 term: Session 2	June 18, 2025	July 1, 2025

Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in a baccalaureate degree program; Applicants who do not have a 2.5 overall GPA must enclose a letter asking for special consideration, in which they provide evidence of an ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who fail to meet eligibility requirements may be automatically denied.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are up to the discretion of the admitting program.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay: Type a brief essay (300-500 words) stating your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals. You may include a statement of any special interest you would like to pursue in your study.

Transfer credit

Previously completed graduate courses may be approved for transfer into a graduate program within the Literacy, Language, and Culture programs if credits for the courses were earned no more than five years prior to matriculation, with grades of B or better.

For previous work completed through the University of Maine System, up to twelve credits may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study. Up to six graduate credits completed at institutions outside of the University of Maine System may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study. A syllabus for each course submitted for transfer credit from outside the University of Maine System must be provided upon application.

Transfer of more than twelve University of Maine System credits or six non-University of Maine System credits may be approved by the program coordinator and faculty. These credits may include certificate of graduate study program courses and professional development in-service graduate courses. Requests for the transfer of credits taken more than five years prior to matriculation may also be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator and faculty.

International student instructions

View additional application requirements

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

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Learn more about our accelerated online Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MSEd

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One-of-a-kind program

The need for teachers with ESL certification continues to grow. We offer the only MSEd in TESOL in Maine, designed to meet the goals of a wide range of ESL professionals—including K-12 teachers, adult educators, and those who want to teach abroad.

Explore TESOL

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ESL endorsement

Designed for educators with current or prior teacher certification, our program leads to a Maine K-12 ESL endorsement. You can add the state-issued ESL endorsement to an existing teaching license.

View details

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Global alumni network

Our graduates teach all over the world, including in the United States, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Egypt, among other countries.

Meet our alumni

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Diverse, expert faculty

Every full-time faculty member holds a doctoral degree in the field of Literacy, Language, and Culture. Our part-time faculty are experienced members of the professional education community and many are current practitioners in the field.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources

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Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

Explore scholarships

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Frequently Asked Questions

Our program is grounded in literacy theory and teaches both pedagogical theory and best practices that can be applied right away in a classroom environment.

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Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial process.

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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