The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program is designed to prepare professionals in the field of teaching English as a second or foreign language who are knowledgeable of second language learning theory, up to date on the best pedagogical practices in the field, and able to reflect on their teaching and continuously grow as educators. Graduates are equipped to meet the needs of multicultural and multilingual learners, both children and adults, in a wide range of educational settings in the U.S. and abroad.

The TESOL program at MU is designed for:

  • Candidates seeking advanced education in ESL/EFL teaching and learning;
  • K-12 educators certified in the state of Missouri seeking ESOL certification.

Curriculum in the TESOL program is informed by second-language acquisition theories and pedagogy and is taught by faculty with expertise in second-language teaching and learning, including applied linguistics, intercultural communication, cultural anthropology and education. Faculty are active in the research community of TESOL and applied linguistics, which is reflected in the quality of the curriculum, innovation in instructional methods, and ability of the program to develop effective, responsive scholars and practitioners who use theory and research to enhance their work in a globally diverse and technological society.

Degrees & Certificates

Degrees and certificates with an emphasis in TESOL can be pursued 100% online through Mizzou Online:

Certification Preparation

Missouri ESOL Certification Preparation

This 21-credit hour sequence of graduate courses is designed for licensed Missouri educators who wish to obtain an add-on certificate in ESOL. The University of Missouri has been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer courses that lead to certification in the state of Missouri. Students may enroll in these courses as non-degree-seeking students and take the courses through Mizzou Online.