Award-winning campus-based and online graduate education programs make Utah’s offerings in TESOL stand out. Students can earn advanced degrees in applied linguistics, TESOL, education, and ESL education. They can also engage in on-campus or online courses of study to add an ESL endorsement to an existing teaching credential.
ESL Teacher Certification
The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) handles all policies concerning approved teacher preparation and certification for the state’s K-12 public school system. Its Teaching and Learning – Licensing department summarizes the criteria for teachers applying for their ESL Endorsement. Note that this is an add-on option for educators who already hold valid Utah certificates. They must then complete 18 semester credits in:
- Linguistics
- Cultural Diversity
- Instruction
- Assessment
- Family/Community Involvement
- TESOL Instructional Practices
See USOE’s guide to University ESL Endorsement Courses Approved by the Utah State Office of Education for the most current classes that meet state requirements.
Alternative Certification Options
Teaching and Learning – Licensing has a website dedicated to Utah’s Alternative Routes to Licensure. This option exists for college graduates holding a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree but who have not completed a state-approved teacher preparation program. Prospective elementary educators must have transcripts showing units earned in broad areas of the liberal arts. Candidates who wish to teach at the secondary level must have a degree major in the area in which they want to teach or meet all content coursework and teacher testing requirements.
Master’s in TESOL Programs
Brigham Young University offers a Master of Arts in TESOL. This program suits students seeking domestic ESL work as well as international EFL positions. People who want to pursue linguistics theory and research, including studies and careers in an international context, should consider the Linguistics Master of Arts – Applied Program of Study offered by University of Utah. Utah State University appears among the top 25 entries in Washington Monthly’s 2013 Best Bang for the Buck rankings of schools offering quality at a reasonable price. It offers an Elementary Education – Master in Education with a specialization in ESL.