TEFL Certificates, Diplomas, Masters, and PhDs

If you're considering online education do your research since some places will not accept distance degrees. For example, the Ministry of Education in the UAE doesn't accept them but the Ministry of Higher Education does. This means that you can't teach K-12 with a distance degree but you can teach at university. Distance learning schools has some good info as well.

• If you want to teach at a university masters are useful. Consider getting your online masters in TESOL.
• If you want to teach children get a PCGE or PCDE.
• If you don't have a degree read is a degree necessary?".
• You might also want to learn a bit of the local language.

There's lots of information in this article. Click on the text below to be taken to that particular section. All programmes listed below are taught exclusively in English. Most of the masters degree programmes can be done completely online or only require you to be on campus for a few weeks.

• TEFL Certificates
• TEFL Diplomas
• Management Diplomas
• Teacher Training Certificates
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) / Teaching Licenses
• Master Programme Basics
• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Costa Rica
• England
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Israel
• Japan
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Peru
• Saudi Arabia
• Scotland
• South Africa
• Spain
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United States
• Wales
• Distance EdD /PhD Programmes

TEFL Certificates

• If you're interested in getting an initial qualification please read choosing a TEFL course.
• International House has a range of these courses. Most can be taken online and some of them are free.
• Oxford University offers an English Language Teachers Summer Seminar.
• University of Edinburgh offers a variety of short courses.
• University of California Riverside also has a couple certificates aimed at primary and secondary teachers.
• University of London has an EAP Teacher Training Course available.
• The US Department of State has an E-Scholarship Programme available to non-US citizens.

TEFL Diplomas

• ACTDEC
• Advanced Diploma (ES) TESOL - 450 hours from TEFL Training College
• DELTA (two month full-time)
• Distance Delta (two weeks on-campus and about 8 to 10 months of online study)
• Notting Hill College offers a TESOL Diploma that can completely be done online.
• Fellowship Diploma in TESOL Education Studies from Trinity College 
• OnTESOL
• Online Delta (for some reason module one is twice as expensive as the Distance Delta. Luckily you could do module 1 with the DD and modules 2 and 3 with the OD)
• Trinity LTCL Dip TESOL
• University of California Riverside has a couple of affordable programmes as well.

Management Diplomas

• IDLTM is offered by Cambridge
• IH London offers courses in Educational Management.
• International House has a DOS course in Spain and online.

Teacher Training Certificates

• IH London also might offer one if there is enough interest.
• International House offers one in Barcelona and it's only a week.
• SIT offers an intensive course that takes a couple of months.

Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) / Teaching Licenses

• These are necessary to teach an international school.
• You can do a GDTL almost completely online now with USQ in Australia.
• University of California Riverside has a couple of affordable programmes as well.
• International Teacher Certification from Cambridge might be another option.

Master Programme Basics
Many people feel that 1 year programmes are inferior than 2 year programmes. However, you have to remember that it's quality, not quantity that matters. "If you factor in skills, such as project and time management, that are required to complete a British Masters within its tight timescale, judgements on quality based on a course's length appear shaky. (Masters of Europe, 2005)".

Be sure to consider how much time you will be expected to devote each week. It’s also worth asking about the graduates. If many people start a programme but few finish you might want to look at another school. There are a many programmes out there: online, on-campus, and blended learning (those that are a mix of the two).

Make sure that you select an accredited programme and ask about online support. There’s nothing like writing a paper and not being able to submit it because there’s a problem with the system. Your professors should be accomplished in the area they teach, have substantial teaching and training experience, as well as publications. Having an adviser who can answer questions is also good.

Don’t go for the cheapest programme out there since you usually get what you pay for. If you’re a US citizen look at IEFC. Scholarships and paying in installments might also be an option. Some universities (such as those in Asia) have been known to offer discounts simply because you're a foreigner. You can often transfer credits from another university, a certification course, or a diploma course (Cambridge ESOL has good info.) Other universities offer credits for proven work experience.

Master Degrees from Australia

• You can find universities in The Good Guides, Markogilvie, andGradschool.com.
• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• Deakin University - MA of TESOL, or MA in Professional Education and Training, or MA in Teaching, or MA in Education, or MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration, or MA in Special Needs
• Macquire University - MA in Applied Linguistics
• Monash University - MA in Education
• University of New England - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Southern Queensland - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Tasmania - MA in Education with specialisations in: Professional Learning and School Improvement, Science / Mathematics, Online / ICT, Adult Learning, Global Education, Educational Leadership, Health / Well-being, Literacy, TESOL, and Education Research.
• University of Technology, Sydney - MA in TESOL / Applied Linguistics
• University of Wollongong - Master of Adult Education, Master of Educational Leadership, Master of Higher Education, Master of Information Technology in Education and Training, Master of Literacy Education, Master of TESOL, Master of Vocational Education and Training

Master Degrees from Canada

• You can find universities in Petersons and Grad School Finder
• Athabascau Univeristy - MA in Integrated Studies
• Trinity Western University - MA in TESOL
• University of Calgary - MA in Education Specialisations in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Educational Contexts, Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Technology, Second Language Teaching. TESL, and Workplace and Adult Learning.
• University of Toronto - MEd in Second Language Education

Master Degrees from China

• If you're interested in learning Chinese, take a look at the free courses offered by Rocket Languages.
• Oregon-Hanyang - MA TESOL
• Lancaster University in China- Double degree with Lancaster and Shanghai Jiao Tong University - MA in Applied Linguistics.

Masters Degrees from Costa Rica

• Empresarial University of Costa Rica- MA in Education.

Masters Degrees from England

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in Education UK, GTTR, Prospects, and Gradschool.com.
• Aston - MSc in TESOL, or Teaching English for Specific Purposes, or Teaching English to Young Learners, or Educational Management or MSc in Applied Linguistics
• Charles Darwin University - MA in Education, MA in Applied Linguistics
• Lancaster University - MA in English Language or MA in TESOL or MA in Language Testing.
• Lancaster University in China. Double degree with Lancaster and Shanghai Jiao Tong University - MA in Applied Linguistics.
• Lancaster University in Hong Kong - MA in TESOL.
• IH London - Educational Management.
• Notting Hill College - MA in TEFL
• Open University - MA in Education
• Oxford Brookes University - MA in TESOL
• Sheffield Hallam University - MA in TESOL
• University of Birmingham - MA in TEFL or MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Exeter - MEd, MSc in Educational Research, MA in Leadership
• University of Leicester - MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics
• University of Liverpool, in Israel (TASP: Teaching and Studying Programmes)- MA in English Language Teaching (There has been some controversy about this degree so do your research carefully.)
• University of London - MA in TESOL.
• University of London - MA in TESOL
• University of Manchester - MA in TESOL
• University of Nottingham - MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching
• University of Portsmouth - MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL
• University of Reading - MA in Applied Linguistics, or MA (Res) in Applied Linguistics, or MA in English Language Teaching.
• University of Sunderland - MA in TESOL, MA in International Education, MA in Education.
• University of York - MA in Teaching English to Young Learners

Masters Degrees from Hong Kong

• Lancaster University - MA in TESOL.

Masters Degrees from Ireland

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in HEA, Postgrad, or CAO

Master Degrees from Israel

• Tel Aviv University - MA TESOL
• University of Haifa - MA TEFL
• University of Liverpool, in Israel (TASP: Teaching and Studying Programmes)- MA in English Language Teaching (There has been some controversy about this degree so do your research carefully.)

Masters Degree from Japan

• If you're interested in learning Japanese, take a look at the free courses offered by Rocket Languages.)
• Colombia University - MA in TESOL
• Temple University - MSEd in TESOL

Masters Degrees from Korea

• The ebooks Coming to Korea and Living in Korea have lots of good info.
• Catholic University of Daegu - MA in TESOL. They have agreements with the University of Pennslyvania, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, State University of New York, Potsdam.
• Daegu Haany University - MA in TESOL
• Dankook University - MA in TEFL
• Korea University Graduate School of International Studies -  MA in International Studies
• Hanyang-Oregon - MA TESOL
• Seoul National University of Education - MA in TESOL.
• Sookmyung University - MA in TEFL
• Sungkyunkwan University with Georgetown - MA TESOL
• Woosong University - MA in TESOL-MALL. They have a dual degree option with St. Cloud State in Minnesota.

Masters Degrees from Mexico

• Universidad de las Americas Puebla - MA in Teaching

Masters Degrees from New Zealand

• You can find universities in Kiwi Careers
• Massey University - MA in Literacy Education, MEd, MEd in Educational Leadership
• University of Auckland - MEd in TESOL
• Victoria University - MA in TESOL or MA in Applied Linguisitics

Masters Degrees from Peru

• If you're interested in learning Spanish take a look at Synergy Spanish, the Language Hacking Guide, and Rocket Languages.
• FUNIBER - MA in TEFL. FUNIBER has a consortium with the University of Piura, Peru and the University of Jaen, Spain.

Masters Degrees from Saudi Arabia

• School for International Training - teaching fellowship with Saudi INTERLINK Language Center at Al Yamamah University (YU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It consists of two summers of full-time study in Vermont and two academic years of full-time teaching at YU. You get a salary, housing, and discounted tuition. More details can be found at "teaching fellowships"at Interlink.

Masters Degrees from Scotland

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• You can find universities in Scotland Gov't
• University of Dundee - MA in Education
• University of Edinburgh - Med in TESOL
• University of St Andrews - MLitt

Masters Degrees from South Africa

• Stellenbosch University - MA in Linguistics
• UNISA - Tehy offer many courses. Here are just a few. MEd. in Education Management, MA in Education Management with dissertation, MA in Linguistics, MA in Linguistics and Translation Studies, MA in Applied Linguistics, MA in Sociolinguistics, MA in TESOL, MA in Curriculum Studies, MA in Comparative and International Education, MA in Early Childhood Development.

Masters Degree from Spain

• If you're interested in learning Spanish take a look at the free courses offered at Rocket Languages.
• FUNIBER - MA in TEFL. FUNIBER has a consortium with the University of Piura, Peru and the University of Jaen, Spain.

Masters Degrees from Thailand

• Papay University - MA in TESOL or MA in Linguistics. This degree is only offered on-campus.

Masters Degrees from Turkey

• Bilkent University - They have 4 MAs: MA in Curriculum and Instruction with Teaching Cert, MA in Curriculum and Instruction, MA in Educational Management, MA in TEFL

Masters Degrees from the United States

• There are many, many universities in the USA; below are just a couple programmes. MA TESOL, 50 States, Graduate Guide, ELearners, My College Guide, Petersons, and Gradschool.com also have good info.
• American College of Education - MA in Education
• American Military University - MEd Teaching.
• American Public University - MEd in TESOL, MEd in Education Administration and Supervision, MEd in Guidance and Counseling, MEd in Elementary Education, MEd in Gifted Education, MEd in Instructional Leadership, MEd in Reading and Literacy, MEd in Secondary Social Studies, MEd in Special Education,
• American University - MA in TESOL.
• Anaheim - MA in TESOL
• Arizona State University - MA in Bilingual Education, MA in ESL, MEd in Early Childhood Education, MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision, MEd in Board Certification for Behavioral Analyst Focus, MEd-Educational Administration (Principal, PreK-12), MEd in Secondary Education, MEd in Teaching and Learning, Autism Spectrum Focus, MEd in Elementary Education.
• Azusa Pacific University - MA in TESOL, MA in TESOL while in Thailand
• Buffalo State - MS in Adult Education
• Columbia International University - MA in TEFL/Intercultural Studies or MEd in Curriculum/Instruction or MEd in Educational Administration
• Concordia University Irvine - MEd Curriculum and Instruction
• Concordia University Portland - MEd in Educational Leadership, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction (concentrations in Environmental Education, Science K-8, Career and Technical Education, elearning/Technology Education, Mathematics K-8, Reading, The Inclusive Classroom, Methods and Curriculum, and ESOL).
• Dominican University - Master of Arts in Education in English as a Second Language
• Drexel University - MSc in Math, MSc in Human Resources, MSc in Learning Technologies, MSc in Teaching / Learning / Curriculum, MSc in Educational Administration, MSc in Global and International Education, Higher Education, MA in Science of Instruction, MSc in Special Education.
• Emporia State University - MA in TESOL
• Fort Hays State University - MA of Liberal Arts with a concentration in ESOL, MSc in Education with a concentration in ESOL
• Framingham State College - MA in TESL or MA in Special Education or MA in International Teaching. Here's the website for the MA in TESL for those living in Korea
• Georgetown with Sungkyunkwan University - MA TESOL
• George Washington University - MEd
• Grand Canyon University - MEd in TESOL
• Hamline University - MA in Education and MA in ESL.
• Indiana University - MA in English Education, Foreign or Second Language Education, or Literacy / Reading Education
• Lincoln Christian - MA in TESOL
• Mercy College - MS in TESOL.
• Nortern Arizona University - MEd in Bilingual / Multicultural Education
• Northwestern Universtiy State Lousiana - MA in Education, MA in English
• New School - MA in TESOL
• Oregon-Hanyang - MA TESOL
• Penn State - MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Children's Literature, MEd in Instructional Systems, MEd in Adult Education, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Leadership, MEd in Earth Sciences
• School for International Training - MA in International Education, MA in Teaching, MA in TESL, MA in TESL in Public Schools. SIT also has a teaching fellowship arrangement Al Yamamah University (YU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Scranton University School of Education – MS in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Administration
• Shenadoah University - MA in TESOL
• St. Cloud State University - MA in TESL, licensure in TESL (scroll down)
• SUNY at Albany - MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology and MS in Childhood Education.
• TEFL Training College: Master of Education in TESOL. You can pay in full or make payments. 
• Troy University- Master in Postsecondary Education, Counseling and Psychology, Adult Education.
• St. Cloud State in Minnesota. has a dual degree programme with Woosong University - MA in TESOL-MALL.
• University of Cincinnatia - MA in TESOL.
• University of Georgia - MEd.
• University of Massachusetts - MA in Applied Linguistics
• University of Missouri - MA in TESOL, MA in Early Childhood Education.
• University of Southern California - MA in Teaching.
• Webster - They have agreements with universities all over the world. So you might be able to find a programme.
• Western New Mexico University - MA in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Wheaton College - MA in TESOL.

Wales

• Here's a post about costs of MAs in Australia compared to those in the UK.
• Bangor University - MA in Linguistics
• Swansea University - MA TEFL

Distance PhD / EdD Programmes  
(Thanks go to saint57 from ELT World for this info)

• More info can be found at ISR: distance degree programmes.
• Glasgow, Scotland - Doctorate in Education
• King's College London, UK - EdD, Doctorate in Education
• Macquarie University, Australia - D App Ling, Doctor of Applied Linguistics
• Middlesex University, UK - PhD, EdD, and many other doctorates.
• Swansea University, UK - PhD in Humanities
• Texas A and M University, US - Executive EdD in Curriculum and Instruction
• University of Auckland, New Zealand - PhD in Education or Doctor of Education
• University of Calgary, Canada - EdD, Doctor of Education
• University of Exeter, UK - PhD in Education and more info. They also have a EdD, Doctor of Education
• University of Liverpool, UK - EdD, Doctorate in Education
• University of London, UK - EdD, Doctor of Education
• University of Otago, New Zealand - EdD, Doctor of Education
• University of Southern Queensland, Australia - EdD, Doctor of Education
• University of Tasmania, Australia - EdDDoctor of Education

Updated 20 December 2012

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