The undergraduate TESOL certificate program is designed for University of Dayton undergraduate students (any major) who would like to earn an initial credential in TESOL for post-secondary, adult, and private institute settings in the U.S. and internationally.

This program prepares you to teach English as an additional language in post-secondary schools, adult education settings, and private language institutes in the US and abroad. Certificate holders may also find employment as language assistants, tutors, or resource teachers in elementary and secondary schools abroad. It can also help pre-service teacher education students gain competence in working with English language learners in their grade-level and content-area classrooms, though the certificate alone does not qualify a teacher for TESOL endorsement from the state of Ohio.

Classes Include Structure of English, Introduction to Linguistics, Second Language Learning and Teaching, TESOL Methods, and TESOL Practicum. This program is 15 credits total.

Program highlights

• Flexible options for completing the certificate: It is possible to complete the certificate in three semesters. You may enroll in two required courses simultaneously, and summer courses are offered.
• Opportunities for education abroad.
• Combining theory and practice: In addition to learning academically, you will gain hands-on experience with teaching English Language Learners.
• Career opportunities: Teaching English outside of the U.S. is growing in importance, and employment opportunities exist in a variety of education and business settings. A TESOL certificate will give you the credential you need to live and work abroad. In addition, P-12 school districts and teacher preparation programs in the U.S. are experiencing a shortage of individuals trained in working with English learners in content area and grade-level classrooms.

Admission requirements

• Current status as a University of Dayton undergraduate student.
• 2.75 or higher undergraduate GPA.
• Test scores: See "English proficiency" item below for English proficiency requirements; no other test scores required.
• Academic and professional background: Current UD undergraduate; any major; prior or concurrent language study strongly preferred; experience with international populations and education helpful.
• English proficiency: Professional and academic proficiency in written English as demonstrated through application materials; additionally, if English is not a first language, prior degree from English-medium university OR minimum test scores as follows: TOEFL iBT – 94 (listening – 22, speaking – 26, reading – 22, writing – 24); IELTS – 7.0 (6.5+ for all subscores); exceptions considered for strong candidates whose scores approach these minimums.

The graduate TESOL certificate program is designed for people who have a bachelor’s degree in any field (including current University of Dayton graduate students and non-students) and are interested in earning an initial credential in TESOL for post-secondary, adult, and private institute settings in the US and internationally.

This program prepares you to teach English as an additional language in post-secondary schools, adult education settings, and private language institutes in the US and abroad. It can also help preservice and inservice teachers gain competence in working with English language learners in their grade-level and content-area classrooms, though the certificate alone does not qualify a teacher for TESOL endorsement from the state of Ohio.

Classes Include Structure of English, Introduction to Linguistics, Second Language Learning and Teaching, TESOL Methods, and TESOL Practicum. This program is 15 credits total.

This TESOL certificate is available either in a traditional classroom setting or as a fully online program. The online program is ideal for students who are unable to attend sessions on campus, or students for whom self-paced learning is more desirable. For more information about the online TESOL certificate program, email tesol@udayton.edu.

Program highlights

• Flexible options for completing the certificate: You can pick the pace and setting that is right for you. It is possible to complete the certificate in three semesters if you take two courses a term, or you can take one course at a time. You may also choose online classes or face-to-face courses on campus.
• Combining theory and practice: In addition to learning academically, you will gain hands-on experience with teaching English Language Learners.
• Career Opportunities: Teaching English outside of the U.S. is growing in importance, and employment opportunities exist in a variety of education and business settings. A TESOL certificate will give you the credential you need to live and work abroad. In addition, P-12 school districts are experiencing a shortage of teachers trained to work effectively with English learners in content area and grade-level classrooms.

Admission requirements

• GPA: 2.75 or higher undergraduate GPA, OR successfully completed a prior master’s degree.
• Test scores: If undergraduate GPA is below 2.75, one of following: MAT – raw score 40+/scaled score 396+; GRE scaled scores of 149+ (verbal) and 4.0+ (analytical writing).
• Academic and professional background: Bachelor’s degree in any field; prior language study or experience in non-English speaking country strongly preferred; experience with international populations and education helpful.
• English proficiency: Professional and academic proficiency in written English as demonstrated through application materials; additionally, if English is not a first language, prior degree from English-medium university OR minimum test scores as follows: TOEFL iBT – 94 (listening – 22, speaking – 26, reading – 22, writing – 24); IELTS – 7.0 (6.5+ for all subscores); exceptions considered for strong candidates whose scores approach these minimums

What do I need to submit with my application?

New applicants who are not current or recent UD graduate students need to submit all of the items listed below. Current UD graduate students need only submit an electronic application, an updated statement of purpose, and test scores if applicable.

• Official transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate studies.
• One letter of recommendation from an employer, professor or another individual in a position to evaluate your professional and academic potential.
• A statement of purpose that addresses your future goals and motivation for joining the program; your prior experience with language, international populations, education, and any other relevant areas
• A résumé.
• TOEFL iBT, IELTS, MAT or GRE scores, as needed.

Note: Additional requirements apply for international students >>

Checksheet: TESOL Certificate/Endorsement (pdf) >>

The graduate P-12 TESOL endorsement program is designed for people who have a standard Ohio teaching license in any subject (P-12) and would like to earn a TESOL endorsement.

This program prepares you to serve English language learners effectively as content-area and grade-level classroom teachers or as ESOL specialists. Completion of the endorsement program plus successful completion of relevant state exams leads to eligibility for a TESOL endorsement from the state of Ohio.

Classes Include Trends and Issues in Language Education, Structure of English, Introduction to Linguistics, Second Language Learning and Teaching, TESOL Methods, and Practicum in ESOL Instruction and Assessment. This program is 18 credits total.

Program highlights

• Flexible options for completing the program: You can design a path to completion that fits your busy schedule. Online, face-to-face, and summer courses are available.
• Options to earn a Master’s degree: These 18 credit hours that are required for the endorsement program can be used as a part of a 30-credit interdisciplinary master of Science in Education and Health Sciences.
• Career opportunities: According to a survey by the American Association for Employment in Education, P-12 school districts and teacher preparation programs are experiencing a shortage of individuals trained in TESOL, and employment opportunities exist in a variety of educational and business settings.

Admission requirements

• Licensure: Valid standard professional teaching license. 
• GPA: 2.75 or higher undergraduate GPA OR successfully completed a prior master’s degree.
• Test scores: If undergraduate GPA is below 2.75, one of following: MAT – raw score 40+/scaled score 396+; GRE scaled scores of 149+ (verbal) and 4.0+ (analytical writing).
• Academic and professional background: Bachelor’s degree in any field; prior language study or experience in non-English speaking country strongly preferred; experience with international populations and education helpful.
• English proficiency: Professional and academic proficiency in written English as demonstrated through application materials; additionally, if English is not a first language, prior degree from English-medium university OR minimum test scores as follows: TOEFL iBT – 94 (listening – 22, speaking – 26, reading – 22, writing – 24); IELTS – 7.0 (6.5+ for all subscores); exceptions considered for strong candidates whose scores approach these minimums.

The application requires the following materials:

• Official transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate study.
• One letter of recommendation from an employer, a professor or another in a position to evaluate your professional and academic potential.
• A statement of purpose that addresses your motivation for joining the program; your prior experience with language, international populations, education, and any other relevant areas; and your future career goals.
• A résumé.
• TOEFL iBT, IELTS, MAT or GRE score, as needed.

Applicants who already have a master’s degree from UD need only submit an online application and statement of purpose.

Note: Additional requirements apply for international students >>

Checksheet: TESOL Certificate/Endorsement (pdf) >>