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

Earn an English as a Second Language (ESL) certificate online with this four-course 12-credit program.

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Candidates who already possess a Massachusetts initial license in another field will receive the initial license in ESL once they pass the ESL MTEL and evidence teaching 150 hours of instruction in an ESL setting.

This program does not provide endorsement but enables candidates to seek endorsement directly from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The program can be completed in as little as one year.

Required courses (12 credits)

EDU 651 Language, Culture & Linguistics
EDU 652 Current Sociolinguistic Issues in TESOL
EDU 653 Theories of Language Acquisition - Implications for Instruction
EDU 654 Field Experience: Methods & Materials for Language Teaching

*course schedules are subject to change

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

2026-2027 UMass Dartmouth Graduate Catalog

MTELS

To earn a license, candidates must pass the following MTEL tests:

English as a Second Language

Provisional license

You will qualify for a Massachusetts provisional license in English as a Second Language (ESL) after completing the relevant MTELs for the license.

Initial license

If you are an educator with a Massachusetts initial license you will qualify for an initial license in ESL once you pass the ESL MTEL and evidence teaching 150 hours of instruction in an ESL setting.

Applicants who are non-MA teachers must already hold a license in their home state that is equivalent to a MA initial license.

Application requirements

Submit a graduate application (select online modality to see program)
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
Personal statement describing your beliefs about teaching and learning and why you have chosen teaching as a profession
Resume
$60 application fee

For Massachusetts teachers

Submit either a copy of a teaching license or proof of one year teaching experience outlined in your essay if you do not have a MA teaching license.

For out-of-state teachers

Submit teachers license of initial licensure or higher in your state.

Graduate admissions requirements

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

Application form
$60 application fee (non-refundable)
Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration.

Application dates

Add an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement to your existing (or in-process) Massachusetts initial license.

Learning style: online

Online courses are taught by UMass Dartmouth faculty to provide high quality instruction and personal attention. Students have the flexibility to accommodate work and home responsibilities within the structure of defined assignment due dates. The majority of our online courses are taught asynchronously.